Senior Lecturer

My main research is focused on the adaptation of migratory organisms to climate change. I am using migratory birds as model group for studying three questions in particular: (1) To what extent is there variation and flexibility in the genetic, physiological and environmental control of migratory behaviour, and how do these different sources of variation translate into phenotypic variation? (2) Can migratory birds adapt to climate change and what are the mechanisms that allow adjustment to changing environmental conditions? (3) What are the populational consequences of different migratory strategies and rates of adaptation? To answer these questions, I am combining a variety of approaches and techniques, ranging from molecular and quantitative genetics to ecophysiology and population ecology.