PEOPLE
Research interests:
Host-pathogen coevolution, emerging diseases, host resistance, pathogen virulence
Camille Bonneaud
Associate Professor of Evolutionary Biology
Background:
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BSc, University Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg, France)
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MSc, University Denis Dierot (Paris)
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PhD, University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris)
I am broadly interested in host-pathogen interactions, from the mechanistic underpinnings of the co-evolutionary process, to the conservation implications of infectious outbreaks and how to prevent them. I am particularly interested by how emerging infectious pathogens jump into new host species and how they subsequently adapt to these novel host environments, as well as how host resistance/tolerance evolves following epidemic outbreak. While some of the approaches taken by me and my group entail experimental tests to further our understanding of host-pathogen interactions, I am deeply committed to developing in vitro alternatives that replace the animal model and advocate the use of such alternatives in the field of the evolution and ecology of infectious diseases.
Research interests:
Host-parasite and parasite-parasite interactions, coevolution, host behaviour
Josh Lynton-Jenkins
PhD Student
Background:
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BSc Zoology (1st), University of Exeter 2015
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MSc by Research Biological Sciences, University of Exeter 2017
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PhD University of Exeter, Vice-Chancellor's scholarship: 2017 - present
In the broadest sense I am interested in the evolutionary implications of interactions between parasites and their hosts. This extends to those interactions occurring between parasites within the host environment. Understanding these interactions can help us appreciate how diseases spread, make host-shifts, lead to epizootics, or conversely; come to cost hosts very little. My current work focuses primarily on haemosporidian blood parasites in two host study systems; one in France where these parasites and their hosts have long been co-evolving, and the other in the Galápagos where blood parasites have only recently been introduced. Using microscopy and molecular methods I am studying parasite ecology and host responses to infection.
Research interests:
Wildlife disease ecology, great ape behaviour and ecology, human-wildlife interactions, primate conservation
Marina Ramon Gorina
PhD Student
Background:
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BSc in Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain, 2013
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Postgraduate Diploma in Primatology, University of Girona Foundation, Spain, 2016
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MSc in Primate Conservation, Oxford Brookes University, UK, 2017
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PhD in Biosciences, University of Exeter, UK, GW4+ scholarship: 2019 - present
I am interested in the ecology of infectious diseases in the context of anthropogenic change and the risk that pathogens pose to non-human primate conservation. I use non-invasive wildlife monitoring methods, including camera traps and faecal sample collection, to study disease in non-habituated great apes. I am currently conducting research on leprosy in a wild population of western chimpanzees at Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau. Combining disease ecology, animal behaviour and molecular genetics, I aim to quantify leprosy occurrence and understand transmission dynamics in this chimpanzee population to inform disease management strategies.
Research interests:
Marine conservation, climate change, population genomics, marine diseases, Elasmobranchs
Jade Getliff
MbyRes Student
Background:
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BSc Marine Biology (1st), University of Exeter 2019
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MSc by Research in Biosciences, University of Exeter 2019 – Present
Throughout my undergraduate degree at Exeter I worked extensively with marine turtles as well as pioneering my own community based marine conservation organisation and taking every opportunity to showcase the amazing work done by women in the field of marine science. I am a marine biologist at my core and find great interest in using a wide variety of techniques and pursuing novel approaches to marine conservation. My work now focuses on elasmobranchs with a two-pronged approach; using populations genomics to build a case for greater protections for elasmobranch species in the Galapagos Islands, as well as investigating how climate change may be driving infectious disease in these species.
You can reach me at j.getliff2@exeter.ac.uk
Research interests:
Microbiology, Genetics, Disease Ecology, Host-Pathogen Coevolution
Sarah Marde Mehdiabad
MbyRes Student
Background:
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Bsc Zoology (2:1), University of Exeter 2020
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MSc by Research Biological Sciences 2020 – Present
My interest in becoming a scientific researcher was kindled during my undergraduate degree at the University of Exeter, when I worked on a project that involved the use of gene sequencing techniques to examine the population genetic structure of morphotypes of the Beadlet Anemone, Actinia equina, and the Strawberry Anemone, Actinia fragacea. Since graduating, I have started a 2-year Masters by Research aimed at investigating associations among bacterial life history traits in the laboratory. My research interests include microbiology, genetics, and host-pathogen coevolution. I also have a soft spot for plant biology, and I hope to be able to conduct work in this field at some point in the future. My MbyRes project is conducted in collaboration with Prof Angus Buckling and Dr Elze Hesse.
Research interests:
Biogeography, Human-wildlife conflict, Disease ecology, Ecological modelling
Tamsin Harper
MbyRes Student
Background:
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BSc Zoology (1st), University of Exeter 2020
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MSc by Research in Biosciences, University of Exeter 2021 - Present
Throughout my undergraduate studies at the University of Exeter I have been motivated by research that can be used practically to resolve pressing and real conservation issues. My particular interest in biogeography and human-wildlife conflicts, led to my creating and working on a research project that explored species range-shifts and the conflicts that may arise from them. This research introduced me to the uses of ecological and predictive models in conservation practice. I now look to use these techniques to explore the transmission of diseases between humans, livestock and wildlife under varying pressures. I intend this research to improved land-use strategy and policymaking which will assist in resolving human-wildlife conflict and promote sustainable coexistence. The project is conducted in collaboration with Dr Regan Early and Prof Dave Hodgson (U. Exeter).
Research interests:
Disease transmission dynamics and impacts, human-wildlife interactions and the One Health approach, primate conservation
Hattie Herridge
MbyRes Student
Background:
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BSc Zoology, University of Exeter 2020
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MSc by Research Biological Sciences, University of Exeter- Present
My module choices during my undergraduate degree at Exeter, gave me the chance to explore my growing interest for emerging wildlife diseases, host impacts and the consequent effects on the surrounding environment. I am also hugely passionate about primate conservation and am lucky enough to be combining these two passions for my upcoming master’s research project. My work will focus on infectious disease outbreaks (specifically Mycobacterium leprae) in critically endangered chimpanzees of Western Africa; and will be part of a collaboration between the University of Exeter and the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin. This work is conducted in close collaboration with Dr Kim Hockings (U Exeter).
Research interests:
Marine Conservation, Population Ecology, Trophic Interactions, Pinnipeds
Erica Smith
MSci Student
Background:
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MSci Marine Biology, 2017 - Present
During my MSci Marine Biology degree at the University of Exeter, I have further developed my love for the ocean, becoming particularly interested in population dynamics in marine ecosystems. Previously, I have worked using stable isotope analysis on feathers to assess the variability in the diet of sooty terns nesting on Ascension Island. My current research involves investigating the causes and consequences of distemper viruses in pinnipeds and is conducted in collaboration with Dr Debbie Russell (Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews).
Lab Alumni
Molly Staley
Andrea Dowling
Luc Tardy
as Research Fellow
as PhD Student
as PhD student
Karen Keegan
Daisy Gates
Rebecca De Vere
as MSc student & Research Technician
as Masters by
Research
as MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
Amer Townsend
as MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
Anna Jaeger
as MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
COLLABORATORS
House Finch - Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Chimpanzee Leprosy
Disease exchange between agriculture & wildlife
Avian Malaria in Blue & Great tits
Avian Diseases in the Galápagos
Barcoding Galapagos
Outbreaks of distemper in seals