My Ph.D. thesis focused on the genomics of adaptation in two arctic seabirds, the thick-billed (Uria lomvia) and the common murres (U. aalge).
Adaptation is often the first step towards genetic differentiation of populations, and what leads to speciation in most cases. Adaptation enables organisms to cope with new conditions, or to occupy new niches.
Therefore, investigating how organisms adapt, and the genetic mechanisms behind this process, provides insights into how species form and how differences among species are maintained. Studying adaptation is also important from a conservation perspective: understanding how species adapted in the past will help us predict how species will respond to environmental change, which is predicted to be highest in the arctic regions.
Adaptation is often the first step towards genetic differentiation of populations, and what leads to speciation in most cases. Adaptation enables organisms to cope with new conditions, or to occupy new niches.
Therefore, investigating how organisms adapt, and the genetic mechanisms behind this process, provides insights into how species form and how differences among species are maintained. Studying adaptation is also important from a conservation perspective: understanding how species adapted in the past will help us predict how species will respond to environmental change, which is predicted to be highest in the arctic regions.
Ph.D. WORK
Thick-billed murres
I investigated genomic signatures of selection in thick-billed murres along an environmental cline in the Northwest Atlantic using RAD sequencing and candidate genes. I am interested in investigating the process of adaptation in a species characterized by big population sizes, where genetic drift is theoretically very low, and in identifying genes potentially involved in local adaptation.
Common murres
In the North Atlantic, common murres include two morphs: unbridled birds have a completely black or dark brown head, and bridled birds are characterized by a white eye-ring and auricular groove. Interestingly, the dimorphism is based on simple Mendelian inheritance and the frequency of the bridled morph increases with latitude.
I use different genomic tools to investigate the genetic basis for bridling and to understand the evolutionary mechanisms generating and maintaining the clinal variation in the frequency of bridling.
Other projects
I'm also involved in a number of projects on the evolution and adaptation in seabirds (and more), including population genetics of thick-billed murres and other species, genetic variation in immune response genes and other candidate genes, and genetic basis of aggressiveness and migration.
Collaborators
Allison Shultz - Harvard University
Scott Edwards - Harvard University
Tone Reiertsen - Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Kjell Einer Erikstad - Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Thick-billed murres
I investigated genomic signatures of selection in thick-billed murres along an environmental cline in the Northwest Atlantic using RAD sequencing and candidate genes. I am interested in investigating the process of adaptation in a species characterized by big population sizes, where genetic drift is theoretically very low, and in identifying genes potentially involved in local adaptation.
Common murres
In the North Atlantic, common murres include two morphs: unbridled birds have a completely black or dark brown head, and bridled birds are characterized by a white eye-ring and auricular groove. Interestingly, the dimorphism is based on simple Mendelian inheritance and the frequency of the bridled morph increases with latitude.
I use different genomic tools to investigate the genetic basis for bridling and to understand the evolutionary mechanisms generating and maintaining the clinal variation in the frequency of bridling.
Other projects
I'm also involved in a number of projects on the evolution and adaptation in seabirds (and more), including population genetics of thick-billed murres and other species, genetic variation in immune response genes and other candidate genes, and genetic basis of aggressiveness and migration.
Collaborators
Allison Shultz - Harvard University
Scott Edwards - Harvard University
Tone Reiertsen - Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Kjell Einer Erikstad - Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Field work on the Gold Coast in Australia, looking for whelks.
PREVIOUS WORK
Fatally attracted by the marine realm and by the factors threatening its biodiversity, during my studies I have carried out research on the effects of climate change on the feeding behaviour of the Australian whelk Morula marginalba (B.Sc. thesis) and the effects of hexavalent chromium on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (M.Sc. in Biological Monitoring). Since my Master’s at Imperial College London, struck by the potentiality of genetics in addressing evolutionary questions and conservation issues, I set my course towards conservation genetics. Then I investigated the population genetic structure of the Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) in the Northeast Atlantic, in collaboration with Dr. Rus Hoelzel from Durham University.
Fatally attracted by the marine realm and by the factors threatening its biodiversity, during my studies I have carried out research on the effects of climate change on the feeding behaviour of the Australian whelk Morula marginalba (B.Sc. thesis) and the effects of hexavalent chromium on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (M.Sc. in Biological Monitoring). Since my Master’s at Imperial College London, struck by the potentiality of genetics in addressing evolutionary questions and conservation issues, I set my course towards conservation genetics. Then I investigated the population genetic structure of the Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) in the Northeast Atlantic, in collaboration with Dr. Rus Hoelzel from Durham University.
