Deborah M Leigh
Conservation biologist and bioinformatician
Scientist at WSL
Scientist at WSL
Macrogenetics Large scale multi species genetic studies to determine the drivers and patterns of genetic diversity. I am currently contributing to several macrogenetic focused papers and will continue to pursue open questions in this area. |
Oak genomicsI am using landscape genomics and a common garden experiment to map adaptation to drought in white oaks. |
ARCTIC SEABIRDS I am interested in local adaptation in Arctic seabird populations. I have completed an assembly of the Eider genome. I am also collaborating with researchers at the University of Oslo to understand cryptic variation in High Arctic puffins. |
Chestnut blightAt WSL I studied the CHV-1 hypovirus. Part of the chestnut blight biocontrol system, CHV-1 has helped mitigate the damage blight has caused in Europe. I explored both intra-host diversity of the virus, as well as how diversity varies over space. |
ALPINE IBEXWithin my PhD I examined the genome-wide consequences of bottlenecks in the Alpine ibex. I also used this system to understand how to distinguish signals of selection from genetic drift. |
Future ProjectsI am using my genomic expertise to address questions at the intersection of Evolutionary biology and Conservation genetics. I am particularly interested in macrogenetic questions, as well as those exploring the adaptive process in complex populations . |