Key note speakers

Dr Andrea Clavijo-McCormick

Presentation: Chemical ecology of invasive weeds and applications to biocontrol

Andrea Clavijo McCormick is a chemical ecologist whose research explores the fascinating world of chemical signals mediating species interactions, particularly in the context of biological invasions. Andrea’s scientific journey began in her native Colombia, where she developed pheromone-based pest management strategies. Her passion for understanding how chemicals shape ecological relationships led her to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany, where she earned her PhD in 2014. She then took her expertise to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich for a post-doctoral position. In 2016, Andrea moved to New Zealand to work at Massey University, where she held the position of Senior Lecturer until 2021. She currently works at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), where she supports evidence-based decision-making for New Zealand’s biosecurity system in her role as Plant Risk Manager. Andrea’s research outputs include over 70 peer-reviewed publications and several prestigious awards, including a Max Planck Doctoral Fellowship, a Marie Curie Fellowship, and a Marsden grant from the Royal Society of New Zealand – Te Apārangi. At this conference, she’ll share the results of her groundbreaking Marsden-funded research on the chemical ecology of invasive weeds and its links to biocontrol.

Dr Andrea Clavijo-McCormick

Andrea Clavijo McCormick is a chemical ecologist whose research explores the fascinating world of chemical signals mediating species interactions, particularly in the context of biological invasions. Andrea’s scientific journey began in her native Colombia, where she developed pheromone-based pest management strategies. Her passion for understanding how chemicals shape ecological relationships led her to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany, where she earned her PhD in 2014. She then took her expertise to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich for a post-doctoral position. In 2016, Andrea moved to New Zealand to work at Massey University, where she held the position of Senior Lecturer until 2021. She currently works at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), where she supports evidence-based decision-making for New Zealand’s biosecurity system in her role as Plant Risk Manager. Andrea’s research outputs include over 70 peer-reviewed publications and several prestigious awards, including a Max Planck Doctoral Fellowship, a Marie Curie Fellowship, and a Marsden grant from the Royal Society of New Zealand – Te Apārangi. At this conference, she’ll share the results of her groundbreaking Marsden-funded research on the chemical ecology of invasive weeds and its links to biocontrol.

Dr Claudia Lange

Presentation: The role of insect microbiome on insect fitness

Dr Claudia Lange is a molecular ecologist and capability leader in the Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology team at Manaaki Whenua. Her research is focussed on microbe-insect-plant interactions and their impacts on biocontrol, biosecurity, and biodiversity, to improve environmental management outcomes. After her MSc in biotechnology in her home country Germany, she investigated the chemical ecology of insect-plant interactions at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology. Claudia re-discovered her passion for the microbial world in New Zealand, where she developed genetic markers for fungal biocontrol agents and gained a PhD in microbiology and genetics at Lincoln University in 2016. At Manaaki Whenua, she applies her expertise to weed biocontrol, insect microbial ecology, biosecurity, and native insect conservation programmes. As the leader of the international consortium on Microbe-Insect-Plant-Interactions (MIP), she develops new research on the impact of microbiomes on insect fitness and biocontrol efficiency with collaborators from New Zealand, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Dr Claudia Lange

Dr Claudia Lange is a molecular ecologist and capability leader at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in Lincoln, New Zealand. She has a background in molecular ecology, microbiology, and genetics. She is interested in microbe-insect-plant interactions and their impacts on biocontrol, biosecurity, and biodiversity, to improve environmental management outcomes.

Prof Iain Paterson

Presentation: Target and agent selection, Pre- and Post-release evaluation in South Africa

Prof Iain Paterson is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Biological Control of the Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa. His research aims to improve the science and practice of biological control of invasive alien plants. He works to develop new biocontrol agents, ensure the safety and efficacy of biocontrol agents, improve biocontrol implementation, evaluate the success of biocontrol and quantify its benefits to society. He has specialized in biocontrol of cactus weeds, which are problematic in Africa and indigenous in the Americas, but also works on African plants that have become problematic elsewhere, particularly African grasses and Aizoaceae (vygies). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal African Entomology and an Associate Editor for the Elsevier journal, Biological Control.

Prof Iain Paterson

Prof Iain Paterson is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Biological Control of the Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa. His research aims to improve the science and practice of biological control of invasive alien plants. He works to develop new biocontrol agents, ensure the safety and efficacy of biocontrol agents, improve biocontrol implementation, evaluate the success of biocontrol and quantify its benefits to society. He has specialized in biocontrol of cactus weeds, which are problematic in Africa and indigenous in the Americas, but also works on African plants that have become problematic elsewhere, particularly African grasses and Aizoaceae (vygies). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal African Entomology and an Associate Editor for the Elsevier journal, Biological Control.

Dr Michelle Rafter

Presentation: Conceptual and practical aspects of advancing the discipline of weed biocontrol, including next generation biocontrol solutions

Dr Michelle Rafter is a Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO whose research focuses on developing novel, safe and effective pest management solutions for invasive weeds and insects. Her research applies novel evolutionary and ecological approaches to bridge ecological theory with practical applications in entomology, addressing critical biosecurity challenges. This has led to tangible advances in invasive species management in Australia and globally, through more nuanced and innovative approaches to the study of weeds and pest insects. She leads CSIRO’s weed management systems team based in Brisbane, Australia. The team’s primary mission is to combat the growing threat of invasive weeds by identifying, testing, and deploying biological control agents that offer long-term, environmentally sound solutions. This involves collaborating with international scientists in the native range of target weeds, conducting rigorous quarantine risk assessments in Australia, mass-rearing and releasing approved agents, and monitoring their establishment and effectiveness in reducing weed populations. Her research expertise spans host-plant interactions, behavioural ecology, gene flow, species delimitation, dispersal ecology, pesticide action, and weed biological control. Michelle is an Associate Editor for BioControl and Subject Editor for Environmental Entomology.

Dr Michelle Rafter

Dr Michelle Rafter is a Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO whose research focuses on developing novel, safe and effective pest management solutions for invasive weeds and insects. Her research applies novel evolutionary and ecological approaches to bridge ecological theory with practical applications in entomology, addressing critical biosecurity challenges. This has led to tangible advances in invasive species management in Australia and globally, through more nuanced and innovative approaches to the study of weeds and pest insects. She leads CSIRO’s weed management systems team based in Brisbane, Australia. The team’s primary mission is to combat the growing threat of invasive weeds by identifying, testing, and deploying biological control agents that offer long-term, environmentally sound solutions. This involves collaborating with international scientists in the native range of target weeds, conducting rigorous quarantine risk assessments in Australia, mass-rearing and releasing approved agents, and monitoring their establishment and effectiveness in reducing weed populations. Her research expertise spans host-plant interactions, behavioural ecology, gene flow, species delimitation, dispersal ecology, pesticide action, and weed biological control. Through her leadership and scientific contributions, Dr. Rafter has advanced sustainable pest management strategies that have delivered significant benefits in Australia and globally.

Dr Nathan Harms

Presentation: Factors that influence the success of a biological control program, climate change

Dr. Nathan Harms is a Senior Research Biologist in the Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch, Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Lewisville, TX. He leads a team of scientists that study the ecology and management of aquatic invasive species to mitigate their negative impacts on water resources in the USA. The team applies a biogeographical approach to old and new biological control programs, integrating predictive climate and species distribution modeling with species’ thermal physiology, genetic surveys, economics, and traditional weed science to predict when and where impacts are expected to occur. Although overseas exploration is a component of his research, Dr. Harms’ current focus is on troubleshooting historical aquatic weed biocontrol programs and integrating weed biocontrol into government water control and ecosystem restoration projects. This includes evaluation of geographic variation in the thermal limits of biological control agents and the ways in which climatic mismatches between herbivores and their host plants may limit successful invasive species management programs. Since 2019, he is the US Army Corps of Engineers representative to the USDA Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for Biological Control of Weeds.

Dr Nathan Harms

Dr. Nathan Harms is a Senior Research Biologist in the Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch, Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Lewisville, TX. He leads a team of scientists that study the ecology and management of aquatic invasive species to mitigate their negative impacts on water resources in the USA. The team applies a biogeographical approach to old and new biological control programs, integrating predictive climate and species distribution modeling with species’ thermal physiology, genetic surveys, economics, and traditional weed science to predict when and where impacts are expected to occur. Although overseas exploration is a component of his research, Dr. Harms’ current focus is on troubleshooting historical aquatic weed biocontrol programs and integrating weed biocontrol into government water control and ecosystem restoration projects. This includes evaluation of geographic variation in the thermal limits of biological control agents and the ways in which climatic mismatches between herbivores and their host plants may limit successful invasive species management programs. Since 2019, he is the US Army Corps of Engineers representative to the USDA Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for Biological Control of Weeds.

Prof Philip Hulme

Presentation: Setting NZ scene – plant biodiversity/invasions

Philip Hulme is the Distinguished Professor of Plant Biosecurity at Lincoln University, New Zealand. He is internationally recognised for his pioneering research on biological invasions, especially his studies on invasive plant species. He has examined plant invasions in multiple global ecosystems ranging from the temperate biomes of the United States and Europe, the tropical forests of Sri Lanka and Tanzania, and even in the high Arctic in Scandinavia. His research covers all aspects of plant invasions ranging from introduction pathways, weed risk assessment, spatial spread, impacts and management. He has always focused on the applied significance of his research and has influenced international policy through his groundbreaking work on the ornamental nursery trade and especially the role of botanic gardens in plant invasions. In New Zealand, his research has tackled issues such as wilding conifer invasions, current and future risks of Acacia invasions, impacts of invaders on grassland ecosystems and the role of plant mutualisms on invasions. He received the New Zealand Ecological Society Award for Ecological Excellence in 2022 and was the inaugural recipient of the Lincoln University Global Science Medal in 2024.

Prof Philip Hulme

Philip Hulme is the Distinguished Professor of Plant Biosecurity at Lincoln University, New Zealand. He is internationally recognised for his pioneering research on biological invasions, especially his studies on invasive plant species. He has examined plant invasions in multiple global ecosystems ranging from the temperate biomes of the United States and Europe, the tropical forests of Sri Lanka and Tanzania, and even in the high Arctic in Scandinavia. His research covers all aspects of plant invasions ranging from introduction pathways, weed risk assessment, spatial spread, impacts and management. He has always focused on the applied significance of his research and has influenced international policy through his groundbreaking work on the ornamental nursery trade and especially the role of botanic gardens in plant invasions. In New Zealand, his research has tackled issues such as wilding conifer invasions, current and future risks of Acacia invasions, impacts of invaders on grassland ecosystems and the role of plant mutualisms on invasions. He received the New Zealand Ecological Society Award for Ecological Excellence in 2022 and was the inaugural recipient of the Lincoln University Global Science Medal in 2024.

Dr Philip Weyl

Presentation: CBC in developed countries

My keen interest in invasive species and my career in weed biological control started in the Entomology Department at Rhodes University, now the Centre for Biological Control (CBC). I completed my PhD in 2015, which involved working on the origins of a submerged macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum in southern Africa. I then took up a post-doc position within the same team. I started at CABI-Switzerland in 2016, where I now lead the weed biological control team. As a team we are currently working on over 40 potential insect and mite agents for 21 weeds. Majority of the projects are for North America (USA and Canada) but also for Australia and South Africa. My research interests revolve around establishing biological control as the primary tool for invasive plant management while improving our ability to predict host range using novel methods, as well as understanding the implications of climate on establishment and efficacy. Through my research, I actively participate in student supervision, with MSc and PhD students at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, the CBC – Rhodes University, South Africa, and the University of Idaho, USA, where I am also an Affiliated Professor since 2020. Weed biological control has allowed me to work in a wide range of countries, each with their own set of challenges, but growing up in southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa) certainly equipped me to deal with those.

Dr Philip Weyl

My keen interest in invasive species and my career in weed biological control started in the Entomology Department at Rhodes University, now the Centre for Biological Control (CBC). I completed my PhD in 2015, which involved working on the origins of a submerged macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum in southern Africa. I then took up a post-doc position within the same team. I started at CABI-Switzerland in 2016, where I now lead the weed biological control team. As a team we are currently working on over 40 potential insect and mite agents for 21 weeds. Majority of the projects are for North America (USA and Canada) but also for Australia and South Africa. My research interests revolve around establishing biological control as the primary tool for invasive plant management while improving our ability to predict host range using novel methods, as well as understanding the implications of climate on establishment and efficacy. Through my research, I actively participate in student supervision, with MSc and PhD students at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, the CBC – Rhodes University, South Africa, and the University of Idaho, USA, where I am also an Affiliated Professor since 2020. Weed biological control has allowed me to work in a wide range of countries, each with their own set of challenges, but growing up in southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa) certainly equipped me to deal with those.

MS Waipaina Awarau-Morris

Presentation: Indigenous persepectives in biosecurity and biocontrol

Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi


Waipaina Awarau-Morris is of Ngāti Porou descent born and raised on the East Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand. She trained in plant science and botany at James Cook University in Queensland and specialised in seed preservation at the Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, in the UK. Currently, Waipaina works in the biosecurity sector with B3 NZ (Better, Border, Biosecurity), focusing on potential plant diseases entering the country. As a Scientist/Kairangahau at AgResearch Waipaina leads initiatives to integrate Māori perspectives into plant biosecurity practices and preparedness. She emphasises the importance of raising awareness about biosecurity risks in Aotearoa, as an informed public can significantly improve surveillance, monitoring, and response efforts during an incursion.

Dr Waipaina Awarau-Morris

Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi


Waipaina Awarau-Morris is of Ngāti Porou descent born and raised on the East Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand. She trained in plant science and botany at James Cook University in Queensland and specialised in seed preservation at the Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, in the UK. Currently, Waipaina works in the biosecurity sector with B3 NZ (Better, Border, Biosecurity), focusing on potential plant diseases entering the country. As a Scientist/Kairangahau at AgResearch Waipaina leads initiatives to integrate Māori perspectives into plant biosecurity practices and preparedness. She emphasises the importance of raising awareness about biosecurity risks in Aotearoa, as an informed public can significantly improve surveillance, monitoring, and response efforts during an incursion.