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Hi everyone!

I’m Fereshteh Ghadamgahi, a PhD student from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in Iran, currently visiting the Division for Biodiversity & Evolution, Department of Biology at Lund University, under the supervision of Professor Erik Svensson. I joined Lund in September 2025 for a one-year research and training visit.

My doctoral research focuses on animal genetics, genetic diversity, and bioinformatics, with an emphasis on detecting selection signatures and genetic diversity in livestock species. In Sweden, I am working on identifying genomic signatures of selection in Ischnura elegans by comparing DNA-seq data from Sweden and Cyprus. The goal is to detect local adaptations — such as genes involved in heat tolerance in Cyprus versus cold tolerance in Sweden — and to interpret these patterns using population genetic analyses and gene ontology approaches.

Before starting my PhD, I completed my M.Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding at the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, where I worked on the genetic characterisation of growth and egg-production traits in native chickens of Khorasan Razavi province using Bayesian methods. I also contributed to studies on genetic polymorphisms of candidate genes (such as PEPCK-C using PCR-RFLP) and comparison of different heritability models in Iranian native fowl.

Outside of research, I enjoy music, travelling, and exploring nature. I am excited both to learn new bioinformatics methods and to experience the beautiful landscapes and culture of Sweden during my stay.

oktober 3, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hej! I’m Karla Münzner, a new postdoc in Karin Rengefors’ research group. I’m an aquatic ecologist and I study harmful algal blooms – slimy blooms, toxic blooms, ideally blooms that are both! I want to find out what causes harmful algal blooms, what makes them toxic, and how they affect other parts of aquatic ecosystems, like biogeochemical cycles. During my time at Lund University, I will focus on toxic cyanobacteria blooms (specifically Microcystis) in Vombsjön (close to Lund), in collaboration with Christian Alsterberg at Sydvatten AB. Our goal is to figure out which environmental conditions select for toxic Microcystis strains, and use that knowledge to develop tools for early warning systems that can be used to manage drinking water resources.

After a master’s in aquatic ecology at Lund University, I did my PhD at Uppsala University in Sweden. I studied the harmful alga Gonyostomum semen, better known as “gubbslem” in Swedish, which forms slimy algae blooms in many brown water lakes in Sweden and other countries. My work focused on why this alga grows so much in brown water lakes (it needs high amounts of iron to grow) and how it affects carbon cycling in those lakes, specifically carbon (it can turn lakes from carbon sources to carbon sinks for a short time).

After my PhD, I worked at IGB Berlin as a postdoc for two years and investigated what causes toxicity in the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum, after a bloom of this alga killed thousands of fish in the Oder River in Germany/Poland in 2022.

I’m happy to be back in Sweden, and I look forward to hiking around Skåne, enjoying fika and visiting many lakes and other aquatic ecosystems (both for work and fun). I also enjoy racket sports (badminton, paddel, table tennis), so let me know if you ever want to play! Other than that, I’ll likely read a lot of books (preferably fantasy and historical novels) and try new fika recipes.

oktober 1, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hi there! I’m Yohan, a new postdoc working with Cecilia Nilsson. In my project, I’m exploring the vertical space use of nocturnal migratory birds across Europe, and especially the drivers of low-altitude flight to ultimately predict timing and locations of conflicts between birds and human infrastructure (for example, wind energy facilities and airports). To achieve this, I’ll use information on bird altitude, density, speed, and direction of movement collected every 15 minutes by the European weather radar network. The ultimate aim of this project is to provide a tool that can predict where migration peaks at low altitudes will occur a few days in advance, enabling action to be taken to reduce bird fatalities due to collisions.

I’m originally from Bordeaux, France (famous for its wine), where I did my Bachelor’s in Biology of Organisms and Ecosystems. I then moved to Dijon, France (famous for its mustard), for my Master’s in Behavioural Ecology and Wildlife Management. I ended up in Montpellier, France (famous for its… faculty of medicine – the oldest in the world still in operation) for my PhD and first postdoc, where I mainly investigated how sociality helps griffon vultures to find unpredictable resources (that is, thermal updrafts to move and carcasses to feed). I also worked on questions to reduce conflicts between social raptors space use (griffon vultures and lesser kestrels) and wind energy facilities.

Outside of work, you’ll probably find me outdoors—biking, hiking, discovering new places, or even potentially flying (all while keeping an eye out for birds). I’m looking forward to meeting many of you and hearing your recommendations for places in Sweden that should not be missed!

september 16, 2025

Inger Ekström

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