Senior Lecturer | Macquarie University | Australia
Dr Soo Jean Park is a leading researcher in organic chemistry and chemical ecology, specialising in arthropod semiochemistry, pheromone biology, and sustainable pest management. Her research advances the molecular and ecological understanding of pest–plant–natural enemy interactions, with particular focus on the chemical signals governing behaviour in economically significant insect species such as Queensland fruit fly, fall armyworm, and other Tephritidae pests. She integrates advanced analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, electrophysiology, and behavioural assays to uncover volatile profiles, identify bioactive natural products, and develop environmentally responsible pest control solutions. Her work has contributed significant insights into species-specific pheromone blends, age- and diet-dependent chemical emission patterns, rectal gland and cuticular chemistry, natural product attractants and repellents, and the chemical basis of reproductive isolation in sibling pest species. Dr Park has also driven innovation in softer insecticide design, natural product–based antifungal agents, and novel semiochemical applications aimed at reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. Her research outputs, spanning 34 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Molecules, Journal of Chemical Ecology, Journal of Pest Science, and PLoS ONE, reflect rigorous methodology, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and substantial translational value for agriculture and biosecurity. She works closely with entomologists, ecologists, organic chemists, and industry partners to bridge fundamental chemical insights with applied pest management strategies, contributing to improved crop protection and ecological sustainability. Her findings support the development of precision monitoring tools, behaviour-modifying lures, and innovative integrated pest management frameworks with global relevance. Dr Park’s research influence is further evident through 347 citations, 34 documents, and an h-index of 10, demonstrating her growing impact in chemical ecology and sustainable insect management.
Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID
Featured Publications
1. Park, S. J., Price, J. R., & Todd, M. H. (2012). Oxidative arylation of isochroman. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 77(2), 949–955. Cited by: 118
2. Kempraj, V., Park, S. J., & Taylor, P. W. (2020). Forewarned is forearmed: Queensland fruit flies detect olfactory cues from predators and respond with predator-specific behaviour. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 7297. Cited by: 36
3. Pérez, J., Park, S. J., & Taylor, P. W. (2018). Domestication modifies the volatile emissions produced by male Queensland fruit flies during sexual advertisement. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 16503. Cited by: 34
4. Noushini, S., Perez, J., Park, S. J., Holgate, D., Mendez Alvarez, V., Jamie, I., … Jamie, J. (2020). Attraction and electrophysiological response to identified rectal gland volatiles in Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner). Molecules, 25(6), 1275. Cited by: 27
5. Noushini, S., Perez, J., Park, S. J., Holgate, D., Jamie, I., Jamie, J., & Taylor, P. (2019). Rectal gland chemistry, volatile emissions, and antennal responses of male and female banana fruit fly, Bactrocera musae. Insects, 11(1), 32. Cited by: 25