Few people openly confess that insects are their life鈥檚 passion, but Gurion Ang, an honours student at 宅男导航, says they are fascinating creatures that hold the key to Australia鈥檚 food security.
Mr Ang is conducting research into how predatory wasps could be used to control the caterpillars responsible for destroying popular crops such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and canola.
鈥淲hen caterpillars feed on leaves the plant releases volatile organic compounds (VOC鈥檚) which attract female wasps," Mr Ang said.
鈥淭he wasps then inject their eggs into the caterpillars, which develop by feeding exclusively on their host鈥檚 bodies, eventually killing them when they emerge to pupate.
鈥淯nderstanding wasp behaviour will provide Australian agriculturalists with greater insight into how wasps might be used as biocontrol agents in insect pest management strategies."
Mr Ang says that while he has always been interested in biology, he first caught the research bug when he travelled to Australia from Singapore to participate in 宅男导航鈥檚 Summer Research Program.
The program, which was introduced by the (OUE) in 2009 and receives funding from the , provides students with the opportunity to work on a research project in a formal research setting during the summer break.
鈥淚 grew up on wildlife documentaries instead of cartoons and according to my parents my first audible word was 鈥榝rog鈥�," he said.
鈥淚 was keen to travel to Australia to participate in the Summer Research Program because summer is the perfect season to study bugs - they are out and about, and everywhere."
Mr Ang鈥檚 research is quickly getting noticed, and he recently took home the runner-up prize at the First Australasian Conference of Undergraduate Research at Macquarie University, and a Highly Commended award at 宅男导航鈥檚 2012 Undergraduate Research Conference.
Competing against high-achieving student researchers from universities across Australia and New Zealand, Mr Ang said the guidance he received from his mentors at 宅男导航 gave him the edge.
鈥淚 received supervision from 宅男导航鈥檚 well-established team of esteemed researchers and had ample opportunities to propose and work on my original ideas鈥� he said.
Dr Jessica Gallagher, Acting Director of OUE, says 宅男导航 prides itself on the broad range of undergraduate research programs and activities available to students to assist them with developing value research and communication skills that will enhance their employability and career options.
鈥淭his year, over 540 students from around the world will participate in 宅男导航鈥檚 Summer Research program," Dr Gallagher said.
鈥淭he diversity of research projects that students will be undertaking is truly remarkable and highlights the breadth and strength of 宅男导航鈥檚 research community and facilities."
Mr Ang, who has a unique enthusiasm about the small creatures around us and how they make the world tick, said his research at 宅男导航 has inspired him to become an entomologist, and continue on to study a research higher degree.
He advises budding researchers to pursue their interests, ask questions and step forward when they see an opportunity.
鈥淚f you do something you are passionate about, everything else comes naturally,鈥� Mr Ang said.
To find out more about 宅男导航鈥檚 Undergraduate Research Programs, visit
