Bio: Kathryn R. Elmer (PI)
Professor Kathryn R. Elmer (PI)
My research aims to understand how biodiversity adapts to environmental challenges. These challenges may be anthropogenic or natural, for example to changing ecological conditions, geographic areas, or climates. What environmental conditions promote biodiversity and evolutionary potential, and by what underlying molecular mechanisms do adaptation and divergence occurs? A primary focus is on the genetics of major adaptive traits, their role in diversification, and speciation.
To accomplish this I integrate genomic, bioinformatic, evolutionary and ecological approaches, particularly focusing on species complexes of freshwater fishes, amphibians, and reptiles ('ichs and herps'). Such closely related taxa in replicate radiations represent phylogenetically-controlled ‘speciation in action’, from the initial stages of population divergence through to behavioural and genetic isolation. Further, these species harbour exceptionally rich diversity and have high economic and conservation value. By spanning from phylogenetic perspectives through to microevolutionary processes I aim to resolve genotype-phenotype-fitness map in non-model organisms and their key functional traits such as parity mode or niche. This research has central relevance to myriad challenges that biodiversity faces in contemporary changing environments.
These lines of inquiry contribute to my over-arching research hypothesis, which is that genomic architecture, or the organization of relevant variation within the genome, determines a lineage’s potential to diversify.
Here is a link to my Uni homepage, with current projects and interests, research funding, and publications.
I am committed to supporting the development and careers of those in my research team. We strive to do excellent and creative science, contribute to our community, and encourage each other. Come join us!
I am committed to supporting the development and careers of those in my research team. We strive to do excellent and creative science, contribute to our community, and encourage each other. Come join us!
Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland (2016-2021)
Fisheries Society of the British Isles Medal for research achievement (2015)
Scottish Crucible (2014 entry)
About me
Biodiversity adaptation and conservation has been a life-long passion of mine. When I was in school I worked with native rights organizations on land claims and habitat protection in Canada, giving my first speech to a large rally on the steps of parliament when I was just 12 years old. In my undergraduate I studied evolution and ecology (zoology) and environmental studies, while working summers and part time for the Adaptations and Impacts Research Group of Environment Canada, with the aim of shaping biodiversity policy on climate change. My research career then focused more on the importance of genetic diversity in evolution and adaptation and how environments shape biodiversity patterns.
Fisheries Society of the British Isles Medal for research achievement (2015)
Scottish Crucible (2014 entry)
About me
Biodiversity adaptation and conservation has been a life-long passion of mine. When I was in school I worked with native rights organizations on land claims and habitat protection in Canada, giving my first speech to a large rally on the steps of parliament when I was just 12 years old. In my undergraduate I studied evolution and ecology (zoology) and environmental studies, while working summers and part time for the Adaptations and Impacts Research Group of Environment Canada, with the aim of shaping biodiversity policy on climate change. My research career then focused more on the importance of genetic diversity in evolution and adaptation and how environments shape biodiversity patterns.
School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine Univ. of Glasgow, Scotland UK (2012-present), Principal Investigator, Professor
Excellenzinitiative Women in Science award and Assistant Professor (Konstanz, Germany) 2011-12
NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow (held at Konstanz, Germany) 2009-11
Genomics Centre Manager (Konstanz, Germany; part-time acting) 2009-11
Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow (held at Konstanz, Germany) 2007-09
PhD, Queen's University (Kingston, Canada) 2006
Honours BA, University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada) 2000 in Zoology, Environmental Studies, and Philosophy
Excellenzinitiative Women in Science award and Assistant Professor (Konstanz, Germany) 2011-12
NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow (held at Konstanz, Germany) 2009-11
Genomics Centre Manager (Konstanz, Germany; part-time acting) 2009-11
Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow (held at Konstanz, Germany) 2007-09
PhD, Queen's University (Kingston, Canada) 2006
Honours BA, University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada) 2000 in Zoology, Environmental Studies, and Philosophy
