Research PG
- About
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- Email Address
- r.simpson1.20@abdn.ac.uk
- School/Department
- School of Biological Sciences
Biography
I am currently a 3rd year PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences. My research involves harnessing a mixture of comparative and functional genomics to examine adaptive potential in predatory mite species (Acari).
My PhD research project aims to identify the molecular basis of plastic phenotypic responses to temperatures and agrochemicals in the predatory mite - Stratiolaelaps scimitus. I will use transcriptomics and epigenomics to identify differentially expressed genes during acute temperature change and with previous exposure. I will further use comparative genomics to investigate genome-wide patterns of positive selection in mites with predatory lifestyles to gain a broader evolutionary insight into the genetic basis of mite ecology.
Education
2020 - Present: PhD Biological Sciences (QUADRAT DTP) - University of Aberdeen
2015-2020: MSci (hons) Biological Sciences (Bioinformatics) - 1st Class Honours (University of Dundee)
Qualifications
- MSci Biological Sciences (Bioinformatics)2020 - University of Dundee
External Memberships
Organiser of the 28th European Meeting for PhD Students in Evolutionary Biology (EMPSEB28)
Treasurer and Social Events planner
Member of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
- Research
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Research Areas
Biological and Environmental Sciences
Research Specialisms
- Bioinformatics
- Evolution
- Genomics
- Transcriptomics
Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
Knowledge Exchange
Conferences Attended
University of Aberdeen School of Biological Sciences PGR Conference 2023
Oral presentation: Genomic Signatures of the Parallel Evolution of Predatory lifestyles in Acari mites
University of Aberdeen School of Biological Sciences PGR Conference 2022
Poster presentation: Harnessing Comparative and Functional Genomics to Examine Adaptive Potential in Predatory and Pest Mite Species (Acari)
European Meeting for PhD students in Evolutionary Biology (EMPSEB27) 2022
Oral presentation: The Evolutionary History and Adaptive Potential of Predatory Mites (Acari) – a New Sustainable Biocontrol System to Ensure Food Security Amid Global Change.
Poster presentation: Harnessing Comparative and Functional Genomics to Examine Adaptive Potential in Predatory and Pest Mite Species (Acari)
I wrote a short blog post about my experience attending EMPSEB27 here: My EMPSEB27 Experience
Funding and Grants
2020 NERC QUADRAT DTP Postgraduate Research Studentship
2022 PGR Travel Grant Scholarship from the Charles Sutherland Scholarship fund: £475
2023 PGR Travel Grant Scholarship from the Alfred E. Clyne Scholarship fund: £900
2023 SULSA Network Support Grant: £1000