Lena Wilfert

Senior Lecturer in Molecular Evolution

I am an evolutionary geneticist with particular interest in host-parasite interactions. To study the ecological and evolutionary risk factors that drive multi-host pathogens and emerging diseases, I use rapidly evolving viral pathogens that infect pollinating insects as an ecologically relevant model system. With a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin fellowship, I have recently shown that the globally distributed strain of DWV is a re-emerging man-made epidemic in honeybees and we have reviewed the biological and anthropogenic risk factors driving disease emergence in pollinators. We are currently following up this work by studying the effect of Varroa on disease prevalence and abundance as well as on viral diversity in wild pollinators.

During my PhD with Paul Schmid-Hempel at ETH Zurich, I studied the quantitative genetics of disease resistance and immunity in bumblebees. As a post-doc with Frank Jiggins, first at the University of Edinburgh and then at the University of Cambridge, I studied the coevolutionary dynamics of Drosophila melanogaster and the sigma virus, a vertically transmitted parasite.

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Vincent Doublet

Research associate

PhD students

Lead supervisor

David Pascall

Lewis Bartlett

Toby Doyle

Research Technician

I am an evolutionary biologist with special interest in arthropod ecology and evolution. I specialised my research in studying bee diseases, looking at different aspects of host-pathogens interactions (disease transmission, pathogen competition, host response). I am currently a Marie Curie fellow working with Pedro Vale exploring how pathogens evolve when hosts vary in their ability to tolerate infection. I previously worked as a post-doctoral research fellow with Dr. Lena Wilfert on a project investigating the impact of agri-environment schemes on disease transmission in pollinators.

I am interested in the eco-evolutionary aspects of host-parasite interactions, using primarily invertebrates as models. I am specialised in bee disease dynamics, looking at disease interactions, transmission patterns, molecular evolution of pathogens, and the ecological variables that may impact them. I am also interested in the molecular dialogue between hosts and pathogens, using transcriptomics.

PhD in Molecular evolution, (2010, University of Poitiers, France)
MSc in Evolutionary biology, (2006, University of Rennes 1, France)
BSc in Biological sciences, (2003, University of Le Havre, France)

Contact: vincent.bs.doublet@gmail.com

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Co-supervisor

MRes students

Sophie Hedges

Meri Anderson

MSci students

Thomas Marceau

Sophia Fraser

Alumni

Lewis Campbell (PhD)

Frances Bensley (Undergraduate)

Toby Doyle (Masters)

Krisztina Gyarmati (Masters)

Charlotte Stewart (Masters)

Lindsey Leyden (Undergraduate)

Tom Robinson (Undergraduate)

Nicole Sykes (Undergraduate)

Laura Telford (Undergraduate)

Felix Vaux (Undergraduate)

Daisy Gates (Undergraduate)

Sophie Hedges (Undergraduate)

Iona Christie (Undergraduate)

Jo Moe Christoffersen (Undergraduate)

Sam Braine (Undergraduate)

Michelle Branson (Undergraduate)

Ryan Yeates (Undergraduate)

Matthew Read (Undergraduate)

I am interested in the transmission and evolution of infectious diseases, with a particular interest in invertebrate viruses. I am currently involved in a project investigating the impact of agri-environment schemes on emerging disease dynamics in wild and managed pollinators. Previous positions held at the University of Exeter have included projects investigating the genetic basis of resistance in the Indian meal moth with Professor Mike Boots, and taxonomic work exploring the role of invertebrates in crop yield with Dr Rosalind Shaw and Professor Juliet Osborne. I come from an ecology background, previously working as an assistant ecologist at WYG group.

MSc in Conservation and biodiversity, (2012, University of Exeter)
BSc in Environmental science, (2009, University of Plymouth)

Contact: T.Doyle@exeter.ac.uk

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The group

My research background spans a range of evolutionary ecology topics, from quaternary mammal extinctions, to experimental evolution of fungal pathogens. Across these study systems, computational approaches to empirical problems have been a defining common thread. My current work focusses on how spatial structuring of host populations influences pathogen diversity, with specific application to the commercial management of honeybees. Working with University of Georgia and Emory University (GA), we are testing how different beekeeping management regimes affect the evolution of honeybee viruses, especially deformed wing virus, and their parasitic vector the Varroa mite. I complement this approach with empirical lab work using our Plodia interpunctella / PiGV system, as well as simulation modelling, based at UC Berkeley.

BA Natural sciences – Zoology, (2013, University of Cambridge)

I work on the ecology and evolution of multihost pathogens, focusing on the viruses of bumblebees. My research involves searching for novel viruses to look for factors influencing viral host range, simulation studies of viral evolution under different host switching regimes, and experiments looking at the ecology of bumblebee viruses in their natural hosts and how this ecology is influenced by pesticide exposure.

BSc Biological sciences, (2012, University of Edinburgh)

Beth Roberts

I am a PhD researcher looking at the nesting ecology of UK bumblebee species. To do this I am using large horticultural gardens as a focus, as they should provide a high quantity and diverse range of resources in terms of both forage and nest sites.

BSc Conservation biology and ecology, (2014, University of Exeter)

Internships

Ciara McGinley

Isobel Refoy

BBSRC summer studentship

Megan Griffiths

I am interested in the epidemiology of infectious disease and the factors that influence transmission and disease emergence. These factors include host-specificity and pathogenicity of parasites; host phylogenetics and ecology; and host-parasite co-evolution. In addition, human activity can create unnatural opportunities for disease emergence and I’m interested in the effect of this on disease epidemiology. Conservation and disease control are the over-arching aims of my research and I aim to generate results that can be applied to this end.

MSc in Marine biology, (2008, University of Plymouth)
BSc in Zoology, (2006,University of Bristol)

Robyn Manley

Post-doctural research fellow

Owen Wright

During my bachelor's degree, I developed research interests in wildlife infectious diseases, animal behaviour, and the interaction of both behaviour and disease. My current research will explore the behaviour and health of honeybees in the Asian tropics. This interdisciplinary and international project will seek to further understand the foraging behaviour and disease ecology of honeybees in Asia using field work, behavioural assays and molecular diagnostics.

BSc Zoology (2017, Cardiff University)

Laura Bulson

Throughout my integrated Masters degree I developed an interest in ecological entomology, especially the microbiomes of insects and the hologenome theory, as well as the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. For my PhD, these interests come together in an interdisciplinary investigation into the effects of sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics within the environment, primarily from agriculture, on the gut microbiome of bumble bees and honey bees, focusing mainly on microbiome diversity, the evolution of antimicrobial resistance, and host fitness.

MBiolSci Biology with a year abroad (University of Sheffield, University of Queensland)