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.
POSTDOCTORAL SCIENTIST
Abdul Jalloh
Abdul is our new Vegetable Entomology Lab postdoc who joined in March. Jalloh did his PhD in Entomology at the University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa. During his PhD, he has investigated the role of soil microbiome in mediating tri-trophic interactions between host plant, fall armyworm, and parasitoids in maize cropping systems. In addition to that, he was associated with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya, for this PhD work. His research interests in our vegetable entomology program are focused on investigating how the effects of soil amendments, biofertilizers including insect frass, soil microbes/microbiomes, soil nutrients, soil chemistry, etc. mediate plant (e.g., Cole crops) resistance against Diamondback moths in Georgia and the Southeast USA.
Email: abdul.jalloh@uga.edu
GRADUATE STUDENTS
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
MS Candidate
Rajesh Udavant
Rajesh is a MS candidate in the Vegetable Entomology Lab. He did his M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology and B. Sc. in Agricultural Sciences from Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University (VNMKV), Parbhani, MH, India and worked as a Research fellow in International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India, before joining our vegetable entomology lab. His research interest lies in insect-host-pathogen interactions, particularly the molecular and microbiological mechanisms driving virus transmission by aphids and thrips. He is focusing on advanced molecular tools such as RNA sequencing, gene expression analysis, and microbial profiling to study how virus acquisition and microbiota affect vector physiology and behavior. With a strong background in plant protection and entomology, he brings expertise in insect rearing, functional genomics, and bioinformatics. Rajesh is passionate about integrating molecular biology and field ecology to develop sustainable pest and disease management strategies.
Email : rajesh.udavant@uga.edu
TECHNICAL STAFF
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
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT WORKER
Alexis Crossgrove
Hi I am Basu lab’s new student worker. I am an upcoming senior at ABAC majoring in Agriculture Education. I am hoping to be an extension worker that also is an educator. Kind of like the program the Georgia Muesum of Agriculture does called Destination Ag.