JOEL
GONZALEZ CABRERA

I completed my degree in Biochemistry at the University of Havana, Cuba, in 1996. Initially, I worked at the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, Cuba, primarily developing transgenic plants expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins. From 1998 to 2012, I held positions at various Spanish institutions, including the Universitat de València, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, and Centro de Investigationes Biológicas. I earned my Ph.D. in 2004 and conducted postdoctoral research on the comprehensive characterization of mechanisms of resistance to Bt toxins and the interaction of these toxins with their receptors. Additionally, I explored the application of Bt-based technology in conjunction with Biological Control Agents to effectively manage economically significant pests within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) frameworks. In 2012, I relocated to the United Kingdom to work as a Marie Curie fellow at Rothamsted Research. My research focused on investigating the “Mode of action and selectivity of pyrethroids on economically important mites and ticks” and “the mechanisms of resistance to other chemicals such as flumethrin, coumaphos, and amitraz.” Furthermore, I developed sensitive monitoring assays for IPM applications. Currently (since 2015), I am based at the Institute BIOTECMED (Universitat de València, Spain), serving as an Associate Professor. My primary scientific interest lies in investigating the mechanisms underlying the evolution of pesticide resistance, elucidating the key determinants of their selectivity over non-target organisms. Additionally, I am interested in exploring the ecological and evolutionary drivers underpinning the efficacy of biological control programs.