I am interested in the evolutionary dynamics of how organisms adaptive to their environmental through their ecology, morphology, and behaviour; and how new species form. I have worked on diverse systems but my favourite research system are the cichlid fishes from East Africa. Cichlid adaptive radiations present a beautiful model to study the processes underlying ecological speciation, understand the role of hybridisation in generating ecological and phenotypic diversity, and also investigate how gene regulatory variation contributes to adaptation. I mostly use genomics methods integrated with ecological, morphological and developmental approachesto understand how evolution works. I am currently working on the cichlid adaptive radiation from Lake Victoria to understand the genetic architecture of speciation and adaptation and the role of hybridisation in combining allelic variation in different ways to produce phenotypic variation. I did my PhD on the much older but phenotypically and genetically more diverse cichlid radiations in Lake Tanganyika. I have also recently started a project to study the cyprinid adaptive radiations in Lake Tana in Ethiopia and whitefish radiations in Switzerland. Comparing fish radiations in Lake Tana, Lake Victoria and Switzerland will help me better understand the common processes driving adaptive radiation. My long term goal is to synthesise broad patterns, processes, and mechanisms of evolution across the tree of life.
My passion for science is really rooted in my fascination with nature and biodiversity. I hope to use my skills one day to actively help conserve this biodiversity for future generations, especially in Southern Africa. I am open to collaborations from this region, especially Botswana.
Juma Island, Lake Victoria, Field Season 2022
Paralabidochromis sp. 'rock riponianus' Karumo Bay, Lake Victoria
Major Research Themes
Evolutionary dynamics of adaptive radiation
Genetic architecture of speciation & adaptation
The role of gene regulation & alternative splicing in adaptive evolution