Dr Hamaseh Aliakbarpour

Dr. Hamaseh Aliakbarpour holds full academic status as an Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University. She is a plant biosecurity and agricultural entomology specialist with a strong background in invertebrate identification, pest management, plant–insect ecology, and applied biosecurity science. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Protection and postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s and PhD in Agricultural Entomology.

Hamaseh works at PIRSA as an Entomologist, focusing on protecting agricultural, horticultural, and native plant systems through surveillance, pest risk assessment, and evidence-based decision-making that supports sustainable production and trade. She previously served as a Scientist at the Plant Health and Environment Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, where she applied morphological and molecular techniques alongside ecological principles to inform plant protection and management decisions. Through these roles, she has developed a deep understanding of pest–plant interactions, population dynamics, and the ecological drivers influencing pest establishment, spread, and impact.

Her expertise spans plant and insect ecology, pest risk assessment, and the application of both morphological and molecular diagnostics—including species identification, DNA extraction, and PCR—within accredited quality systems. She has extensive expertise in the morphological identification of a wide taxonomic range of insects, applying detailed diagnostic keys and microscopic analysis alongside molecular approaches to support biosecurity surveillance and research. Dr. Hamaseh brings a unique combination of scientific research, practical biosecurity experience, and regulatory knowledge to advance sustainable agriculture and plant industries. 

At Flinders University, Hamaseh collaborates with biology academics on entomology and broader biology projects, while also working with engineering academics on biomimetic design and bioinspired engineering. She is interested in supervising honours and higher degree research projects in entomology, ecology, and interdisciplinary research that bridges biology and engineering.