PhD Title : Developing deep learning for entomological biomonitoring
Supervisors : Professor Darren Evans (SNES – Newcastle University); Dr Tong Xin (School of Computing – Newcastle University); Dr Samantha Cook (Rothamsted Research)
Mukilan Deivarajan Suresh is a BBSRC-funded PhD student at Newcastle University specialising in the intersection of machine learning and ecology for insect biomonitoring. His research focuses on developing advanced deep learning algorithms integrated with environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding data to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of identifying and classifying insects in agroforestry settings. He aims to establish a comprehensive ecological network of species interactions in crop and non-crop habitats across the UK, utilising EcoStack data. Through the creation of a versatile deep learning algorithm and a benchmark dataset for automated biomonitoring, he seeks to contribute to more sustainable farming practices and a deeper understanding of ecological networks.
Mukilan began his academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology Engineering from India, where he investigated the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to the DENV2 virus. Pursuing his interest in interdisciplinary research, he obtained a master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience in Italy. During this time, he worked with Apis mellifera bees to study how the smell of rain (Geosmin) affects their aggression, combining principles of ethology, neuroscience, and entomology.
Passionate about policy making, artificial intelligence, biodiversity, and sustainability, Mukilan hopes to apply AI to support biodiversity and sustainable practices. By using advanced technologies, he envisions addressing ecological challenges and informing policy decisions.
