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Biologiska institutionen | Lunds universitet

Cecilia Hjort – new PhD-student

Hi! My name is Cecilia Hjort and since the 1st of December I’ve been enrolled as a PhD student in the Department of Biology, under the supervision of Professor Henrik Smith. However, some of you have probably seen me around, both on the second and third floor, since I’ve been working with several different projects at the university for the past 2 years.

I intend to study the evolutionary adaptation of a common bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, to variable environments by combining comparative studies, behavioural assays and genome sequencing (Restriction site-Associated DNA sequencing; RADseq). More precisely, I will investigate if native populations of B. terrestris in Sweden are affected by gene spread from imported bumblebees used for pollination services. Additionally, I will investigate the occurrence of morphological and genetic local adaptation across landscape and climatic gradients in Sweden, using landscape genomic approaches. Lastly, I will study the genetic connectivity and evolutionary capacity of an invasive B. terrestris adapting to a novel environment (Tasmania), and compare patterns of local adaptation and landscape genetic structure with native B. terrestris.

I hold a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Masters Degree in Conservation Biology both from Lund University.

Since I like diversity, I usually change lunchrooms so hopefully I’ll see you around!

P.S. I go by my nickname Cilla.

december 11, 2018

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