In the next 50 years, global human population is expect to reach 9 billion people.  One of the biggest challenges from a public health perspective is how to feed this growing population.  Much of the growth is expected to occur in tropical countries where infectious disease are rife.  We are currently studying various agrochemicals in an attempt to determine which might have the greatest benefits for food production and the fewest non-target effects.  Additionally, with funds from a NIH-funded Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease grant, we will be exploring how various agrochemicals affect food production as well as infectious disease risk.  Additionally, my laboratory is currently estimating the net benefit of eradicating the six major helminths (worms) of humans for global food demand (because helminths steal calories from humans) and the environment.