Dr. Bahder specializes specifically in vector discovery of new and emerging pathogens that cause economic loss in agricultural and ornamental cropping systems as well as understanding the evolutionary relationships and molecular mechanisms that determine the ability of species to transmit pathogens. His current research interests include the epidemiology of phytoplasmas infecting palms as well as other common tropical ornamental plants and their associated diseases and insect pests and developing management strategies to reduce economic losses.