My name is Brian Bahder and I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at Washington State University.  I have studied insects from a young age and pursued an education in entomology at the university level since 2002.  I have extensive experience in both field and laboratory based research with an emphasis on molecular genetics.  I have traveled extensively throughout Latin America to conduct biodiversity studies and continued this research in the laboratory to look at genetic variation.  I also have extensive experience in applied areas of research such as field based studies utlizing pheromones as a monitoring tool as well as mating disruption.  Also, I have designed transmission bioassays demonstrating interspecific transmission of viral pathogens between grapes by Coccoid vectors.  My duties as a postdoc include designing and establishing a molecular laboratory, conducting research aimed at detecting emerging viral threats to grapes as well as detecting insecticide resistance genes.  I am responsible for training graduate students to utilize PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, and molecular cloning technologies and assist in their research projects.  My future research goals are to one day establish a research facility in the tropics to teach sustained agricultural practices for pest control while conserving and conducting basic research in pristine habitat.