Staff Profile

I obtained my PhD from Newcastle University in 2007, working on trap cropping and companion planting as means to control pest insects of brassica crops. I continued in academic research thereafter as a lead researcher/Research Fellow on projects to identify biopesticides and biological controls for use in veterinary pest management (Newcastle), and develop habitat-based approaches to encourage ecosystem service provision in field vegetable and cereal crops (Lancaster).

Between 2015 and 2019 I was based at Stockbridge Technology Centre, leading a team of applied scientists delivering commercial and publicly-funded projects on all aspects of production, across both protected and field crops. My own particular focus during this time was on realising ‘sustainable intensification’ through combined use of modern machinery and precision agriculture technology to deliver agro-ecological gains of mutual benefit to the farmer, the environment and wider society.

I returned to Newcastle University in July 2019 to take up a position as Reader in Precision Agronomy. Since this time I have been utilising my broad-ranging experience to drive forward 'sustainable intensification' approaches for UK and global food production systems, focusing the majority of my research on field-based projects undertaken at NU-Farms and collaborations with farmers in the region. In 2021 I also took on the role of 'Director of Farms Research', chairing the NU-Farms Academic Strategy Group, and have since accepted the position of Chair of the Farmer Scientist Network, run via the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

I have published ca. 70 scientific papers since 2007 and have presented my work worldwide to academic and industry audiences alike. I have previously been a Trustee, Vice President and Honorary Regional Secretary of the Royal Entomological Society, and served as Co-Editor of their members bulletin Antenna for ten years. I currently sit on various industry boards and advisory groups, including for STC Research Foundation, and edit the quarterly NU-Farms Bulletin. 

2023-2025: Innovate UK, £500,000: PI (subcontract) - Sustainable lupin production

2023-ongoing: Peter Barber Endowment Fund, £6,000/yr: PI - NU Farms Summer Scholarship Fund

2023-2024: HEIF, £15,000: PI - NU Farms external engagement fund

2022-2025: BEIS, £TBC: PI (subcontract) - Willow breeding demonstration site

2022-2025: Innovate UK, £500,000: Co-I (subcontract) - AgriSynth synthetic imaging for blackgrass

2022-2023: Defra FIP, £45,000: PI (project partner) - Development of a farmer-led cover crop guide

2022-2023: Innovative Farmers, £10,000: Project Advisor (insect biodiversity) - Flower power for arable field margins

2022-2023: HEIF, £10,000: PI - NU Farms external engagement fund

2021-2022: BBSRC/AHDB, £50,000: Co-I - Regenerative agriculture in challenging circumstances

2021-2022: Innovative Farmers, £10,000: Project Advisor (insect biodiversity) - The potential of industrial hemp to deliver soil health and biodiversity

2021-2022: HEIF, £5,000: PI - Arrow Follow-on Fund to further work with FYTO

2021-2022: HEIF, £70,000: PI - Northern Arable Centre and Northern Grazing Hub

2021-2024: Innovate UK, £1,471,900: Co-I - Combined imaging, spore sensing and robotic application platform, to improve the precision application of fungicides and biopesticides

2021-2021: YAS, £5,000: PI - Biopesticides in arable crops: Analysis and reporting          

2020-2021: Meiji Ltd, £50,000: PI - Industrial collaboration: details confidential

2020-2021: Meiji Ltd, £150,000: PI - Industrial collaboration: details confidential

2020-2021: QR Strategic Project Fund, £40,000: Co-I - Farmer-friendly flora to build beneficial biodiversity and encourage ecosystem services

Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

Numerous Biology/Ecology/Zoology lectures and practical classes

Module leader for NES3014 (Precision Agriculture and Non-Combinable Crops)

Module leader for NES8103 (Assessing Agricultural Systems)

Student supervision (postgraduate only)

Co-supervisor

8x current PhD students (plus 3 complete) in crop and veterinary sciences

Supervisor

4x current PhD students in crop/insect sciences

• Articles

  • Hussain S, Hussain A, Aziz MU, Song B, Zeb J, Hasib FMY, Almendros A, Cabezas-Cruz A, George D, Sparagano O. First molecular confirmation of multiple zoonotic vector-borne diseases in pet dogs and cats of Hong Kong SAR. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 2023, 14(4), 102191.
  • Hussain S, Hussain A, Aziz MU, Song B, Zeb J, Hasib FMY, Li J, Rehman A, George D, Cabezas-Cruz A, Sparagano O. First serological evidence of Q fever in large ruminants and its associated risk factors in Punjab, Pakistan. Scientific Reports 2022, 12(1), 17278.
  • Hussain S, Hussain A, Ho J, Li J, George D, Rehman A, Zeb J, Sparagano O. An epidemiological survey regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases among livestock owners in punjab, pakistan: A one health context. Pathogens 2021, 10(3), 361.
  • Conboy N, McDaniel T, George D, Ormerod A, Edwards M, Donohoe P, Gatehouse A, Tosh C. Volatile Organic Compounds as Insect Repellents and Plant Elicitors: an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategy for Glasshouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). Journal of Chemical Ecology 2020, 46, 1090-1104.
  • George D, Port G, Collier R. Living on the Edge: Using and Improving Trap Crops for Flea Beetle Management in Small-Scale Cropping Systems. Insects 2019, 10(9), 286.
  • Conboy NJA, McDaniel T, Ormerod A, George D, Gatehouse AMR, Wharton E, Donohoe P, Curtis R, Tosh CR. Companion planting with French marigolds protects tomato plants from glasshouse whiteflies through the emission of airborne limonene. PloS ONE 2019, 14(3), e0213071.
  • George D, Milligan C. Good work, CHAPS. Food Science and Technology 2018, 32(4), 32-35.
  • Camarda A, Pugliese N, Bevilacqua A, Circella E, Gradoni L, George D, Sparagano O, Giangaspero A. Efficacy of a novel neem oil formulation (RP03™) to control the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 2018, 32(3), 290-297.
  • Mul MF, van Riel JW, Roy L, Zoons J, Andre G, George DR, Meerburg BG, Dicke M, van Mourik S, Groot Koerkamp PWG. Development of a model forecasting Dermanyssus gallinae's population dynamics for advancing Integrated Pest Management in laying hen facilities. Veterinary Parasitology 2017, 245, 128-140.
  • Mul MF, Ploegaert JPM, George DR, Meerburg BG, Dicke M, Groot Koerkamp PWG. Structured design of an automated monitoring tool for pest species. Biosystems Engineering 2016, 151, 126-140.
  • McDaniel T, Tosh CR, Gatehouse AMR, George D, Robson M, Brogan B. Novel resistance mechanisms of a wild tomato against the glasshouse whitefly. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2016, 36(1), 14.
  • Pritchard J, Kuster T, George D, Sparagano O, Tomley F. Impeding movement of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Veterinary Parasitology 2016, 225, 104-107.
  • Hamidi A, Ludschow D, George D, Sherifi K, Sparagano O, Hafez HM, Sylejmani D. Fowlpox virus outbreaks in Kosovan layer flocks: an evidence of vaccine failure. Veterinaria 2016, 65(2), 55-58.
  • Mul MF, van Riel JW, Meerburg BG, Dicke M, George DR, Groot Koerkamp PWG. Validation of an automated mite counter for Dermanyssus gallinae in experimental laying hen cages. Experimental and Applied Acarology 2015, 66(4), 589-603.
  • George D, Finn R, Graham K, Mul M, Guy J, Strube C, Tomley F, Hernandez-Crespo P, Steenberg T, Eriksson H, Oines O, Coles G, Cogan T, Stafford K, Nisbet A, Sparagano O. The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae: Developing novel management solutions for a complicated and neglected pest. Antenna 2015, Special edition, 84-85.
  • George DR, Banfield-Zanin JA, Collier R, Cross J, Birch ANE, Gwynn R, O'Neill T. Identification of novel pesticides for use against glasshouse invertebrate pests in UK tomatoes and peppers. Insects 2015, 6(2), 464-477.
  • George D, Croft P, Wakefield M, Wackers F. Flower power's 'all in the mix' for multi-functional field margins. Antenna 2015, Special edition, 76-77.
  • George D. Biography of a March Christian Award Early Career Entomologist. Antenna 2015, 39, 160-162.
  • Sparagano O, George D, Giangaspero A, Spitalska E. Arthropods and associated arthropod-borne diseases transmitted by migrating birds. The case of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Veterinary Parasitology 2015, 213(1-2), 61-66.
  • Sparagano OAE, George DR, Harrington DWJ, Giangaspero A. Significance and control of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Annual Review of Entomology 2014, 59, 447-466.
  • George DR, King L, Donkin E, Jones CE, Croft P, Tilley LAN. Dichotomy of male and female responses to hoverfly-driven cues and floral competition in the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi Haliday. Biological Control 2013, 67(3), 539-547.
  • Sparagano O, Khallaayoune K, Duvallet G, Nayak S, George D. Comparing Terpenes from Plant Essential Oils as Pesticides for the Poultry Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae). Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2013, 60(s2), 150-153.
  • George DR, Collier RH, Whitehouse DM. Can imitation companion planting interfere with host selection by Brassica pest insects?. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 2013, 15(1), 106-109.
  • Carrie RJG, George DR, Wackers FL. Selection of floral resources to optimise conservation of agriculturally-functional insect groups. Journal of Insect Conservation 2012, 16(4), 635-640.
  • Harrington D, George D, Guy JH, Sparagano OAE. Opportunities for integrated pest management to control the Poultry Red Mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. World’s Poultry Science Journal 2011, 67(1), 83-93.
  • George DR, Guy JH, Arkle S, Harrington D, De Luna C, Okello EJ, Shiel RS, Port G, Sparagano OAE. Use of Plant-derived Products to Control Arthropods of Veterinary Importance: A Review. Animal Biodiversity and Emerging Diseases: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2008, 1149, 23-26.
  • George DR, Smith TJ, Sparagano OAE, Guy JH. The influence of 'time since last blood meal' on the toxicity of essential oils to the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae). Veterinary Parasitology 2008, 155(3-4), 333-335.
  • George DR, Callaghan K, Guy JH, Sparagano OAE. Lack of prolonged activity of lavender essential oils as acaricides against the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) under laboratory conditions. Research in Veterinary Science 2008, 85(3), 540-542.
  • George DR, Port G, Collier RH. Selection of trap crop and companion plants for the management of pest insects in field vegetables. IOBC WPRS Bulletin 2007, 30(8), 113-121.

• Book Chapter

  • Sparagano O, Pritchard J, George D. The future of essential oils as a pest biocontrol method. In: Samy A. Madbouly, Chaoqun Zhang and Michael R. Kessler, ed. Bio-Based Plant Oil Polymers and Composites. Elsevier, 2016, pp.207-211.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Sparagano O, Finn R, Mul M, Giangaspero A, Cafiero MA, Willingham N, Lyons K, Lovers A, George D. The emergence of Dermanyssus gallinae as an arthropod pest in urban context and the "One Health" approach. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Urban Pests. 2017, Birmingham, UK.
  • Sparagano O, George D, Finn R, Dinesh R, Rashed A, Graham K, Okello E, Maurer V. Potential of essential oils in medical and veterinary pest management: efficacy and modes of action. In: 13th International Congress of the European Association for Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology (EAVPT 2015). 2015, Nantes, France: Wiley-Blackwell.

• Report

  • George D, Banfield-Zanin STC, Wackers F. Flower power: making the most of flowering seed mixes. AHDB Horticulture, 2015. Cross Sector Factsheet 08/15.

• Reviews

  • Hussain S, Perveen N, Hussain A, Song B, Aziz MU, Zeb J, Li J, George D, Cabezas-Cruz A, Sparagano O. The Symbiotic Continuum Within Ticks: Opportunities for Disease Control. Frontiers in Microbiology 2022, 13, 854803.
  • Hussain S, Hussain A, Rehman A, George D, Li J, Zeb J, Khan A, Sparagano O. Spatio-temporal distribution of identified tick species from small and large ruminants of Pakistan. Biologia 2022, 77, 1563–1573.
  • Sparagano O, Song B, Aziz U, Hussain S, Yang G, George D, Zeb J. Poultry Mites: Ubiquitous, Spreading, and Still a Growing Threat. Avian Diseases 2022, 66(3), 259-265.
  • Hussain S, Hussain A, Aziz MU, Song B, Zeb J, George D, Li J, Sparagano O. A review of zoonotic babesiosis as an emerging public health threat in Asia. Pathogens 2022, 11(1), 23.
  • Hussain S, Hussain A, Aziz U, Song B, Zeb J, George D, Li J, Sparagano O. The role of ticks in the emergence of Borrelia burgdorferi as a zoonotic pathogen and its vector control: A global systemic review. Microorganisms 2021, 9(12), 2414.
  • George DR, Finn RD, Graham KM, Mul MF, Maurer V, Moro CV, Sparagano OA. Should the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae be of wider concern for veterinary and medical science?. Parasites and Vectors 2015, 8, 178.
  • George DR, Finn RD, Graham KM, Sparagano OA. Present and future potential of plant-derived products to control arthropods of veterinary and medical significance. Parasites and Vectors 2014, 7, 28.