Dr Rafael Homem

Rafael leads the Insect Transgenesis Science Technology Platform at The Pirbright Institute, where he focuses on exploiting and advancing genetic transformation and genome editing technologies in insects.

His work supports research aimed at uncovering the molecular mechanisms underpinning vector-virus interactions.

Rafael earned his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Edinburgh in 2016 and completed four years of postdoctoral training in the insecticide resistance group at Rothamsted Research.

Before joining The Pirbright Institute in 2024, he worked in the private sector, leading efforts to develop the sterile insect technique (SIT) for controlling agricultural pests.