William George Laidlaw

The focus of Dr. Laidlaw's research is the development of computer models of the dynamics of Douglas fir bark beetle response to aggregation and anti aggregation pheromones. Field experiments in British Columbia are undertaken to develop models and determine parameters. Results have potential for more effective forest management of bark beetles. Models for the response of fruit flies during quarantine heat treatments are developed using both heat shock proteins and mortality kinetics. Models are applied to experimental data from the USDA (Hawaii) and HORT (NZ) for fruit quarantine in Hawaii and New Caledonia. In a similar manner kinetic models of fruit enzyme degradation have been obtained. Results suggest effective protocols can be developed which meet quarantine yet preserve fruit quality.

In addition the reproductive biology of the archaic plant Amborella and of endangered endemic plants of Hawaii, particularly the genera Hedyotis and Cyanea are under investigation using plant material at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Kauai, Hawaii.