My research broadly focuses on the impacts of environmental challenges on animal and ecosystem health. I use molecular tools to elucidate mechanisms of adverse effect and, also, to establish whether, and how, organisms can adapt to changes in their environment. I am particularly interested in examining the potential for rapid adaptive responses to environmental stressors, such as those mediated via host-associated microbiomes and epigenetic mechanisms.
I am module coordinator for BIO258 Animal Physiology, examining ‘how animals work’ and how they respond to the environment and challenges within it. I also teach on BIO340 Professional Laboratory Skills, an intensive course focusing on molecular techniques.
Environmental challenges. Very broadly, my research examines the impacts of pollution, temperature, disease and aquaculture-related stressors on individuals, populations and ecosystems.
Genomics & bioinformatics. I am particularly interested in the design and analysis of ‘omics-based techniques and, perhaps most importantly, how these data can be effectively integrated with each other and with wider measures of physiological effect.
Animal and environmental microbiomes. I investigate the environmental determinants of microbiome structure and function, links between microbiomes and host physiology, and the effects of stressors on this relationship.
Epigenetics & transcriptomics. I am interested in how exposure to environmental stressors (especially during early life) can cause lasting changes in the regulation of gene transcription and how this can contribute to both adverse and adaptive effects.
Environmental genomics. I use environmental DNA for the detection of rare and invasive species in aquatic systems and am interested in how molecular biomarkers may be used for the assessment of ecosystem health.
"Physiology is the study of normal function in animals, encompassing chemical and physical activities within cells, tissues and organs. Less formally, physiology is the study of ""how animals work"". This module will explore integrative physiology, spanning genes to organ systems and will cover both vertebrate and invertebrate physiology, including terrestrial, aquatic and aerial examples. We will examine how animal physiology is fundamentally connected to the environment within an adaptive context, including examples of how animals are able to survive in harsh conditions and considering how they may respond to emerging environmental challenges."
Professional Laboratory Skills is a module that provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience of fundamental and advanced laboratory techniques in the broad area of biomolecular sciences. BIO340 consists of four intense laboratory sessions: two conducted in the wet-lab and two conducted in the computer lab. This blend of in vitro and in silico experimentation reflects the skills needed by modern biology graduates. Each session will have a theme: (1) protein biochemistry, (2) in silico structural manipulations, (3) PCR-techniques and gel electrophoresis, (4) Bioinformatics. Students will examine the structure-function relationship of a conserved, yet functionally diverse, family of proteins. Such proteins are found in plants, animals (including invertebrates) and microorganisms. [It should be noted that this module runs out of term time (usually early September), in a similar manner to residential field courses]
February 2021 - Present
June 2015 - January 2021
July 2016 - August 2018
2014 - Present
2021 - Present
2020 - Present
