Entomology
122 South Entomology Drive
Tifton, GA 31793
(PI) Saumik Basu
I am an Assistant Professor (Vegetable IPM Entomologist) in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia (UGA), Tifton Campus. Thanks for visiting my lab website.
I did my BS in Human Physiology from the University of Calcutta and MS in Biotechnology from Visva-Bharati University in India. I received my Ph.D. from School of Life Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India in Molecular Plant Virology, where my research was focused on understanding molecular mechanisms of host-mediated symptom recovery associated with whitefly-transmitted Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) infection. I did my first postdoc with Dr. Joe Louis at UNL to understand various aspects of diverse plant-insect interactions for developing novel and sustainable pest management strategies. Then I joined Dr. David Crowder’s lab at WSU to investigate molecular, biochemical, and ecological tools to study various aspects of complex species to community interactions in diverse cropping systems for seeking sustainable IPM strategies. My previous research findings have shown that beneficial soil mutualistic microbes improve plant responses to both pathogens and pests by enhancing plant defense chemistry and nutritional quality (Basu et al. 2021, Functional Ecology; Basu et al. 2022, Basic and Applied Ecology). One of my coolest research study have shown that pest attack order and complexity changes plant defense and nutrition (Basu et al. 2021, Molecular Ecology). I was an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Entomology and associated faculty member of molecular plant sciences (MPS) at WSU before joining UGA as an assistant professor. Besides research, I love to spend time with my family, like to explore new things, and trying new cuisines etc.
Ph.D. Candidate
Sourav Pal
Sourav has done his B.S from University of Calcutta and received his M.S degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sourav has joined Dr. Basu’s lab since Spring 2025. He will be working on multiple projects associated with major pest problems such as whiteflies and some of the vector-transmitted viral diseases causing huge losses to key vegetables ( cabbage, tomato, collards etc.) produced in southern Georgia. Besides that, Sourav enjoys playing ping-pong and card games and cooking and has a keen interest for travelling and trying new cuisines.
Email : Sp75226@uga.edu
Research Tech III
Charles Laney Gruver
Charles has worked with the University of Georgia’s Vegetable Entomology Lab since 2015. He is an expert in setting up field and greenhouse experiments, collecting bugs, raring and maintaining insect colonies, insecticide trials, various insect bioassays, etc. His hobbies include singing and playing drums for pleasure, church, and his own band.
Email: clgruver@uga.edu
Phone: 229-326-6480
Undergrad Student Worker
Chloe Harrelson
Chloe Harrelson attends Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), where she is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education. In her free time, she can usually be found doing schoolwork or spending time with my family and friends. She has already learned a lot in the short time and interested in learning more!