Biologibloggen

Hi, I am Kasun Bodawatta, a Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellow at Westerdahl group. During my position at Lund, I will be leading the “BornThisWay” project, where we aim to untangle the interaction between gut microbes and adaptive immune system during malaria infections in passerine birds.

I am an evolutionary and community ecologist with a main interest in understanding the drivers of organismal community assemblies and host-microbe symbioses. My research has three focus areas that complement each other. First, using birds as a model system, I investigate drivers and consequences of symbiotic microbial communities and host-parasite (haemosporidian blood parasites) interactions. Second, I explore how biotic and abiotic factors impact assemblies of environmental microbial communities using subterranean ecosystems as a model environment. Third, I am interested in method development in terrestrial environmental eDNA tools to survey organismal communities.

During my free time, I enjoy bird watching and wildlife photography.

december 1, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hi! I’m Houshuai Wang, a visiting researcher in Niklas Wahlberg’s lab. I’m working on taxonomy, systematics and biodiversity of some lepidopteran groups. My current project focuses on phylogeny and evolution of Lymantriinae (commonly called tussock moths), mainly using museomics and sequence capture data.

I received my PhD degree in Entomology from South China Agricultural University in 2015, and then worked in the same university as an associate professor until present. During 2012–2014, I studied at the Department of Zoology at Stockholm University as a visiting PhD student.

I like travelling and playing badminton outside of work.

november 21, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hi! My name is Andrea Moravcová, and I’ve just joined the department as a postdoctoral researcher. I recently moved here from Prague, where I completed my PhD focusing on how climate change shapes interactions between plants and soil microorganisms.

During my two-year postdoc with François Maillard, I’ll be exploring different aspects of fungal necromass decomposition—how fungi break down their own dead biomass, and how these processes contribute to long-term soil carbon storage. I’m excited to be here, to learn new techniques, and to work in such an inspiring environment!

november 19, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hej ! My name is Antoine Touret. I’m a French and Chilean PhD student in the Vision Group, supervised by Dr. Marcus Stensmyr. I’m currently studying the systematics and adaptation of some unusual fruit flies! How does a fly go from being a cosmopolitan human commensal (like D. melanogaster) to living in crabs (like D. carcinophila)? And what is the genomic footprint of such a transition?

The journey of this fly begins in La Serena, Chile, where I lived the first 18 years of my life. Then I moved to Paris in 2018, where I completed a Bachelor’s in General Biology and a Master’s in Integrative Biology and Physiology. I did all my internships working with Drosophilidae, so they’re in my heart and on my mind, always.

Besides biology, I love listening to music and learning new things. I also enjoy reading, hiking, running, and studying languages; so Swedish might be the next one on the list… unless you give me a reason to learn yours instead.

november 14, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hej! I’m Danielle, a new postdoc from Canada working with Anna Runemark and Maj Rundlöf. My background is in landscape genetics and landscape genomics, and I am here to study the patterns of gene flow and genetic diversity in populations of the small blue butterfly (Cupido minimus) in southern Sweden. Our aim with this project is to identify landscape features and characteristics that influence butterfly connectivity.

I completed my MSc in conservation biology at the University of Kent in the UK, where I studied spatial patterns of the chytrid fungus impacting populations of amphibians in Honduras. I then returned to Canada to study montane bumble bee populations during my PhD at the University of Calgary in Canada. During this time, I tested hypotheses related to the impact of heterogeneous landscapes on bumble bee abundance, species richness, gene flow, and local adaptation.

Next, I completed a PostDoc position at the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Marine and Continental Ecology (IMBE) in Aix-en-Provence, France, investigating how patterns of habitat amount and fragmentation related to gene flow and genetic diversity in red squirrel populations in the south of France.

Outside of research I dabble in a variety of hobbies, from music (I play the piano, flute and saxophone, and was part of a community jazz band for many years) to sports (I have played volleyball, tennis, soccer, flag football, and will happily try pretty much any sport except dodgeball!) and outdoor activities including climbing and hiking. I’ve already felt very welcomed by the department here at Lund, and can’t wait to continue getting to know everyone here!

november 13, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hej! I’m Chloe Kaczvinsky, a new post-doc working with Andreas Nord and Cilla Lundberg at the BMC. I’m exploring thermal tolerance in birds using experimental genetic methods. The ultimate goal is to find out what happens to birds on a steadily heating Earth.

I was raised in Louisiana, USA (nowhere near New Orleans). I then spent four years in Philadelphia, where I studied international relations and biology. I did my MSc. in entomology in rural Alabama, and then moved to England for my DPhil. I then spent five years trying to get DNA from bird faeces, wrestling code, and occasionally chasing penguins in the wild. I have a general interest in astrobiology and life in extreme environments.

When not at work, you’ll find me engaging in any variety of crafty hobbies, including spindle spinning and quilting, or reading. I’d love any good information about Lund or crucial Swedish experiences I should have while here.

november 4, 2025

Inger Ekström

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Hej! My name is Viktor, and I recently started as a PhD student in Olivier Van Aken’s lab at the Division of Molecular Biosciences. My research focuses on identifying the molecular signalling pathways that enable plants to perceive and respond to touch and other types of mechanical stimulation, and how this knowledge can be used to increase yield and stress resistance in crops.

I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s in molecular biology here in Lund. During my studies, I quickly developed a deep interest in plants. I find it fascinating that, despite being sessile organisms, they are constantly interacting with and responding to their environment. To me, it’s amazing that such “silent” organisms can be so active.

When I’m not touching plants, I enjoy listening to music (especially indie and electronic), playing the trumpet, running, cold bathing, being out in nature, and watching my favourite football team, IF Elfsborg. Feel free to swing by my office if you’re looking for music recommendations or want to chat about Swedish football! See you around!

oktober 22, 2025

Inger Ekström

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