Our goal for invited speakers is to highlight excellent research from established and early career researchers. Below is a brief overview of their research interests and a link to their websites (from where the text primarily derives).
Assistant Professor, Uppsala University
Jennifer James's research sits at the intersection of molecular evolution, computational biology, and bioinformatics. Her group studies how new mutations affect fitness and drive genome and protein evolution, with a particular focus on mutational robustness, using large-scale genomic and proteomic datasets spanning bacteria, plants, and animals.
Associate professor, University of Helsinki
Claudius Kratochwil's research explores how genomic change produces the diversity of animal life, focusing on the colors and patterns of tropical cichlid fishes. His group combines genomics, developmental biology, single-cell sequencing, and imaging to trace how genetic change acts through pigment cells and tissues to generate visible diversity, extending this work to other ray-finned fishes and the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.
Associate Professor, University of Valencia
Pau Carazo's research explores the evolution of behaviour, focusing on sexual selection and sexual conflict and how these interact with ageing and ecology. Working mainly with insects and lizards, his group investigates how environmental change shapes mating behaviour and animal communication, and what this reveals about the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity.