University of Aberdeen, Scotland

Co-chair

Hi, I’m Anastasia, 

-       My pronouns are she/her

-       I don’t like writing in third person

-       Welcome to my bio. 

I am currently doing my PhD at the University of Aberdeen on the EASTBIO DTP. Despite what my imposter syndrome will tell you, I am a molecular and evolutionary biologist that works on the slime mould Physarum polycephalum. P. polycephalum are a single celled brainless blobs that can do some super cool stuff like solve mazes, anticipate periodic events and they’ve even been used to map dark matter. I’m interested in understand what molecular mechanisms underpin learning and memory in these slime mould. Outside of research I love to crochet, garden (indoors and out – I have quite the house plant collection) and spend time with my perfect puppy, Paddy. 

University of Zurich, Switzerland

Co-chair

Hello, my name is Viktor. I am doing my PhD at the University of Zurich. I study sexual selection and I have no model species in mind, because I am a theoretician. It means that I produce computer models investigating evolutionary phenomena. 

However, I do know what field biology looks like. Before my PhD time, I was involved in several projects with bats, birds, and invertebrates in Kharkiv (Ukraine) and Krakow (Poland). Beside my PhD, I am eager to make Ukrainian science better advocating young generation of researcher from Ukraine by making podcasts, organizing conferences, and uniting people.

University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Georgia (she/her) is a behavioural ecology PhD student at the University of Edinburgh interested in social behaviour. For her PhD, she is investigating how aspects of state affect parental care and cooperation in a species of burying beetle. She is also interested in science communication and making biology more accessible. In her spare time she volunteers as an education liaison for the Animal Behavior Podcast and as a STEM Ambassador since she loves talking to anyone who will listen about animals! Check out her personal website for more info.

University of St Andrews, Scotland

This creature is also known as Tim, found in a small habitat near the coast of Northeastern Scotland, St. Andrews. Normally late diurnal and can be nocturnal sometimes. Tim spends most of the time dwelling in the pile of equations and theories inside its head, striving to understand the mystery of mechanism that populate humankind, sex. Its excitement currently focuses on the evolution of apportionment in sex. 

Naturally chaotic, but acoustic music and watercolour art can put it to content. Fun fact: some folklore believes that its smile can haunt you for days, so handle him with caution.

University of Aberdeen, Scotland

Rosalin (she/her) is a computational biologist who has started meddling in the world of evolutionary biology. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where her research involves the use of comparative and functional genomics to explore the evolutionary history of predatory and parasitic mites and examine the adaptive potential of arthropod biological control agents in the face of climate change.

Outside of her research, Rosalin enjoys all things crafty such as baking, crochet and painting.

University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Casey (he/him) is a behavioural ecologist studying interspecific competition in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. 

He doesn’t like writing bios so this is all you’re getting, but he did draw that cow we’ve been using as a logo – which was cool of him.

University of Groningen, the Netherlands

Hello, I am Jana Riederer, a third year PhD student at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands. In my PhD project, I aim to combine theoretical and empirical approaches to study how social systems can shape evolvability, i.e. the capacity of a biological system to undergo adaptive evolution. For example, I explore how mating systems affect diversification in adaptive radiations such as that of Anolis lizards. Other topics that I am interested in include: genotype-phenotype maps, mutation rate evolution, the role of phenotypic plasticity in evolution, and sexual selection! 

I look forward to seeing you at EMPSEB28!

University of Exeter, UK

Rebekah (she/her) is an evolutionary biology and genetics PhD researcher at the University of Exeter, and is a highly commended science communicator. Her current project involves exploring the genetic basis of ageing and longevity in Pristionchus nematode worms. 

Her previous work has included an award-winning meta analysis on emerging zoonotic diseases, and the evolution and genetics of transmissible cancers, both at the University of Southampton. 

Personal note: Hello! Outside of science, I love coffee, animals (I'm a cat person), travelling, reading, climbing, veggie food, escape rooms, music, Star Trek, prosecco, and being in nature. I also enjoy building websites, so was thrilled when the team let me build this one! I can't wait to meet you all in Scotland - feel free to join me on Twitter, Mastodon or Insta in the meantime.