Lab Staff

Dr. Gideon Alake, originally from Nigeria, is currently a postdoctoral associate in the Biosecurity and Extension (BRE) Lab. Dr. Gideon aims to improve domestic surveillance of the Oriental fruit fly (OFF), Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), by applying modeling techniques to help understand the primary OFF pathways into Florida ports of entry. Also, he is involved in other research activities in the lab.

Dr. Gideon graduated with a Ph.D. degree in nematology from the University of Florida in 2019. His Ph.D. research at the University of Florida has a multi-faceted focus, with a robust data analysis leaning. Dr. Gideon is passionate about next-generation sequencing tools, bioinformatics, data analysis, and teaching. He has recently been championing the initiative to promote the use of a Generalized Linear Mixed Model-based method for nematode count data analysis as opposed to the conventional route of log-transformation.

In 2011, Dr. Gideon received a master's degree in nematology from Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. This was after receiving a B.Sc. crop, soil, and pest management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in Nigeria. He derives satisfaction from helping others to succeed.

Lab Assistant
diazjordyn@ufl.edu

Jordyn Diaz is a 5th year senior undergraduate student studying General Plant sciences and Entomology. Graduated from the College of Central Florida in 2018, he transferred to the University of Florida in 2019. He joined the BRE lab in June 2021 while doing work at the Zhao Lab at Fifield Hall and at the IFAS facility in Citra. Commuting all the way from Davenport, he is determined to keep exploring and learning from various labs in the entomology department. His areas of interests are virology/pathology, entomology, and biocontrol. He helps out in various graduate experiments and helps with the DPM program in propagating plants. He is also involved in the Entomology club here on campus. Jordyn is currently conducting an experiment on finding an efficient way to combat stinkbug pests by using various species of spiders. His goal is to join the DPM program or do his PhD and own his own lab later on.

Lab Assistant
tafels@ufl.edu

Sarah is a second-year undergraduate student studying Wildlife Ecology & Conservation and is currently working in the Biosecurity Research and Extension lab. Starting in February 2020, Sarah has helped to rear multiple colonies of insects including the Southern Green stinkbug. She also works on reforming presentations for DPM’s Florida First Detector program and conducting interviews for DPM’s public relation efforts. Outside of the lab, Sarah is a teaching assistant for the Bugs and People course taught by Dr. Baldwin. She is also heavily involved with the Entomology Club’s outreach events. She is interested in continuing to work with insects and education.