Research interests
I am fascinated by the potential for host-parasite-host coevolution and how this may vary geographically. The huge diversity of avian malaria parasites makes them a unique model system to study coevolution, the evolution of host shifts and of virulence. My current research focuses on the interaction between Plasmodium spp. and the great tit, Parus major, to try to understand the evolution of virulence and parasite to host local adaptation. To achieve this, I use a wide range of methods from phylogenetics to experiments.
Outreach
I am also active in evolutionary education and outreach. In collaboration with infographics researcher, Miriam Quick and London-based designer, Stefanie Posavec, we have created a poster documenting the history of evolutionary thought from Ancient Greece to this day. The poster is available in four languages: English, French, German and Spanish and is available for download here
I am also interested in evolutionary outreach initiatives in Switzerland and in Europe, so if you have any novel ideas, get in touch!
Curriculum vitae
2012
Postdoctoral researcher, DEE University of Lausanne.
Supervisor: Dr. Philippe Christe.
2011
Research assistant Plant Sciences Dept, University of Bern, Switzerland
2009- 2010
Transfer-of-Knowledge Marie Curie Host fellowship, “Landscape genetics of the bank vole Myodes glareolus”, University of Jena, Germany.
Supervisor: Prof. Stefan Halle.
2005- 2009
PhD on “The evolutionary ecology of Leucocytozoon blood parasites of birds", Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College.
Supervisor: Prof. Ian Owens
2001-2004
BSc in Biology (1st degree Honours), Imperial College London
