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.
