Current projects

1. ‘Wherefore the magic? Investigating the origin of psychedelic compounds in nature’ Leverhulme Trust, PI

This project started in 2021. It combines microbiology, molecular ecology and genetic methods (barcoding, RNA-Seq, gene editing), behavioural trials and fieldwork to investigate evolutionary hypotheses for psilocybin biosynthesis.

 2.  Hard-wired for success? Unravelling genomic signatures in pollinators

Saam Hassan's PhD is investigating the genomics of Pyrobombus bumblebees. This sub-genus stands in contrast to other sub-genera of bumblebees due to the number of successful species in terms of abundance and range expansion

3. Modelling insect dispersal with Dr Rich Billington, Dr Mairi Knight and Joe Eva. Co-Investigator.

Joe Eva's PhD is investigating morphometry, wind, weather and climate in relation to insect dispersal and invasions, especially with regard to the colonisation of the UK by Bombus hypnorum

 4. Extremophiles in a changing world - the mechanistic bases of stress resistance in rotifers and tardigrades, Dr Chiara Boschetti (PI), Prof Simon Rundle. Co-Investigator

Ellis Moloney is investigating stress tolerance in meiofauna using experimental biology methods and bioinformatics approaches

Past projects

'Bringing back black bees', NERC-CASE studentship with Victoria Buswell, Dr Mairi Knight, Dr Vanessa Huml, B4. Co-Investigator.

Victoria's Ph.D investigated introgression and the phenotypic and genotypic basis of local adaptation in UK populations of the dark European honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera. 

Population genetics of the colonization of the UK by Bombus hypnorum with Dr Mairi Knight (Plymouth University), Dr Vanessa Huml, Kirsty Lloyd and Dr Mark Brown (Royal Holloway). Co-Investigator.

This project examined the population genetics of the colonisation and subsequent expansion of Bombus hypnorum in the UK.

Ecological restoration of china clay mining sites with Mary Lane, Dr Michael Hanley, Dr Charlotte Braungardt, Dr Mairi Knight and Dr Paul Lunt and Sibelco. P.I.

Mary recently completed her PhD on the ecological restoration of heathland after china clay extraction. This project was part-funded by Sibelco. Her work involved the investigation of the role of mycorrhizal fungi as well as metal nutrients. It involved laboratory work and field-scale trials

 Adaptive conservation genomics of European grayling with Vanessa Huml, Dr Ed Harris, Dr Martin Taylor (UEA), Dr Robin Sen (MMU) and the Grayling Research Trust. P.I.

Vanessa's PhD project examined genetic diversity of MHC loci in European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) in relation to bacterial and environmental parameters as well as in contrast to neutral variation, using next-generation sequencing approaches. Vanessa is now a post-doc in our group and continues to publish her recent work.

 Conservation genetics of the hazel dormouse with Fraser Combe and Dr Ed Harris (MMU). Co-Investigator.

Fraser completed his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan under Dr Ed Harris (DoS). Fraser was examining landscape and conservation genetics of the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in the UK. He worked closely with a number of wildlife trusts, but particularly with Dr Simone Bullion at Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Genetic diversity, immunity and parasite load in widespread versus declining bumblebee species with Sarah Rustage. Dr Mairi Knight, Dr Richard Billington and Dr Mark Borwn (Royal Holloway). Co-Investigator.

This project examined genetic diversity and fitness (parasite load and immunocompetence) in Bombus monticola (in contrast to the closely related but widespread B. pratorum). The project is currently being followed up by NGS RAD-Seq of Bombus monticola populations (Dr Vanessa Huml). Research outputs are in prep.

Grants and awards:

Links:

Bumblebee conservation trust
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/

BWARS, the bees, wasps and ants recording society
http://www.bwars.com/