Barbara Ekbom is professor of entomology at the Department of Entomology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden (http://www.entom.slu.se/WelcomeS.html). The department has a research and education program for both agricultural and forest entomology concerning both plant/forest protection and conservation of insect species.
Her research includes studies of population dynamics of natural enemies of insect herbivores in the field (polyphagous predators) and in glasshouse (aphid parasitoids) environments. The aim is to better understand and potentially manipulate predator/parasitoid habitats to facilitate biological control. Landscape ecology is studied in the context of agricultural production. Insect/plant interaction theory is used to study the relationship between insect pests and their host plants in order to develop integrated control strategies using resistant plants. Resistance to insecticides in the pollen beetle, a major pest in Sweden, is also being studied. Molecular biology is used as a tool in her studies.