Tim Harvey-Samuel

Biography

Dr Tim Harvey-Samuel obtained his Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Integrated Pest Management, respectively, from Imperial College, London and Silwood Park. In 2010 he joined the lab of Prof. Luke Alphey at the University of Oxford/ Oxitec Ltd to conduct his PhD in exploring genetically-engineered methods for controlling agricultural insect pests (Lepidopterans). This research took him around the UK and also to the lab of Prof. Tony Shelton at Cornell University where he investigated the synergisms between GM insects and GM crops for pest control and insecticide resistance management.

After his PhD, Tim spent a year in the lab of Dr Haldre Rogers (Virginia Tech), working as a field scientist on the Pacific islands of Guam and Saipan, gathering data on the cascading ecological effects of invasive species, before returning to the UK to join Prof. Alphey (now at the Pirbright Institute, UK) as a Postdoctoral Researcher, eventually rising to Senior Postdoctoral Scientist and Insect Transgenesis lead. Whilst at Pirbright, Tim instigated a broad range of research projects, both fundamental (e.g. uncovering novel insect sex determination systems) and applied (e.g. engineering gene-drive systems in mosquitoes and moths). However, the thread running through each of these projects was the use of molecular-biology and genetic modification tools to answer questions and build new technologies.

In 2024, Tim moved to Keele University to found his own group as a Lecturer in Arthropod Genetics. At Keele, Tim’s group focusses on developing novel, effective and sustainable ‘genetic control’ approaches to managing insect pests of Agricultural, Human-health and Biodiversity-conservation importance. These genetic approaches are defined by the modification (often involving Genetic Engineering and other SynBio tools) of the pest in the lab, prior to its release into the environment. Current targets include the mosquitoes Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus, as well as the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella.

Tim is always open to new ideas, projects and thrives on collaboration. If you are interested in working with us to develop these new tools, or explore other applications of synthetic biology in insects, please get in touch!