Gaylord Desurmont

Gaylord Desurmont is a research entomologist and quarantine officer for the European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL). He was hired in 2015 to supervise and manage the two quarantine buildings of the EBCL and organize and supervise the shipments of living organisms from and to the EBCL in accordance with the rules and regulations of France, the European Union, and the United States.

Prior to his work at the EBCL, Gaylord completed a PhD in Entomology at the University of Cornell (NY, USA), where he graduated in 2009. His doctoral research focused on the ecology and biological control of the viburnum leaf beetle, an invasive landscape and forest pest in the Northeast U.S.

After his PhD, he completed a postdoctoral project in Ecology and Evolution at the University of Cornell (1 year) and a postdoctoral project in Chemical Ecology at the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) (4 years).

His main research interests and areas of expertise include the behavioral ecology, chemical ecology, and ecological consequences associated with the introduction of exotic pests. As of January 2023, he has published 50 scientific papers and given over 50 presentations and seminars at international conferences and universities. 

Research projects at EBCL

Biological control of the French broom Genista monspessulana.

Biological control of the viburnum leaf beetle Pyrrhalta viburni.

Biological control of the allium leaf miner Phytomyza gymnostoma

Biological control of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella.

Biological control of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae.

Publications

Gaylord Desurmont's Publications

Past projects at EBCL

Biological control of giant reed Arundo donax

Degrees

2000-2003: Master of Sciences (M.S.) in Agronomy and agricultural practices, option ecology and environment, Agricultural school of Dijon (ENESAD: Etablissement National d’Enseignement Supérieur Agronomique de Dijon).

2003-2005: M.S. in Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Thesis title: “Evaluation of Podisus maculiventris (Say) as a biological control agent against viburnum leaf beetle [Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull)]”. Main Advisor: John Sanderson.

2006-2009: Ph.D. in Entomology (awarded August 17^th 2009), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Thesis title: “Oviposition of viburnum leaf beetle [Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull)]: from ecology to biological control of an invasive pest.” Main advisor: Ann Hajek.

Employment

Fall 2003-Fall 2005: Graduate Research / Teaching assistant, Entomology Department, Cornell University (NY, USA). Supervisor: John Sanderson

Spring 2006-Spring 2009: Graduate Research / Teaching assistant, Entomology Department, Cornell University (NY, USA). Supervisor: Ann Hajek.

Summer 2009: Graduate Research assistant, Ecology and Evolutionary Department, Cornell University (NY, USA). Supervisor: Anurag Agrawal.

Fall 2009-2010: Post doctoral Researcher, Ecology and Evolutionary Department, Cornell University (NY, USA). P.I: Anurag Agrawal

Spring 2011-Spring 2015: Postdoctoral Researcher (80%), Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology (FARCE) laboratory, Institute of Biology, Neuchâtel University (Switzerland). P.I: Prof. Ted Turlings.

Spring 2014-Spring 2015: Postdoctoral Researcher (20%), Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zürich (Switzerland). P.I: Prof. Florian Schiestl.

Spring 2015-Winter 2015: Postdoctoral Researcher (80%), Evolutionary Entomology laboratory (E-Vol), Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland). P.I: Dr. Betty Benrey.

Spring 2016-Present: Research Entomologist / Quarantine Officer, European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL), USDA-ARS, Montferrier-sur-lez (France)

Honors & Awards 

Gyrisco award for outstanding graduate research in applied entomology (annual award, Cornell University) 2008.

First prize student competition (poster presentation), Entomological Society of America Eastern branch meeting 2009.

John Henry Comstock award for outstanding Ph.D. in Entomology (annual award, Entomological Society of America) 2010.