Evolutionary comparative genomics

We are investigating how evolutionary forces shape the genome content and diversity using nematode model systems

Environmental Genomics

We are involved with a range of projects in agri-tech applying modern genomic approaches to agriculture and forestry

Reproducible Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics science that is open and reproducible. We develop software and protocols

Molecular evolution of genomes

We are investigating how genome structure and content change with the loss of meiotic recombination. This involves the sequencing and analysis of many nematode genomes in a phylogenetic design.

Metabarcoding ecological networks

Modern high-throughput DNA sequencing techniques allow a novel understanding of ecological interactions. We are using metabarcoding techniques to study aphids and their parasitoids in agricultural ecosystems, and invasive oak processionary moths and oak tree insect communities.

Reproducible Phylogenomics

Phylogenetics is an approach applied very broadly in biological sciences. Most approaches are manual however limiting the scale of the analysis. In addition it is almost impossible to reproduce this work. We are developing approaches to reproducible phylogenomics allowing rapid analysis of enormous datasets.

 Bioinformatics training

I teach courses to students and staff on basic bioinformatics skills. These have ranged from “Introduction to the command line” for those without much science computing background to “Reproducible metabarcoding” for those wishing to begin data analysis.

Genome Analysis of Root Knot Nematodes

Root Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp) causes large crop losses world wide. We are working to understand their origins, relationships, diversity, and pathogenic potential. Genome analysis has already demonstrated the importance of interspecific hybridization in creating the most devastating of the crop parasites.

Methods in Environmental Genomics

We are developing both wet lab and bioinformatics approaches to environmental metabarcoding to greatly scale and refine the data.

My publications listed by Google Scholar

My publications listed at ORCID

My publications listed at PubMed

Speaker Deck

Slides from my talks are hosted on Speakerdeck

Code from the lab’s bioinformatics work is hosted openly on GitHub with user HullUni-bioinformatics

My recent publications are all in open access journals where collaborators allow. I have a repository of all my articles as PDFs hosted on GitHub.