Sophie Evison

Biography

2014-present Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Sheffield 2012-2014 Teaching and Research Fellow, University of Leeds 2011-2012 Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Leeds 2009-2010 Fyssen Fellow, University of Paris 2008-2009 Post-doctoral Research Assistant, University of Leeds 2005-2008 PhD, University of Sheffield 2004-2005 MSc, Imperial College London 2001-2004 BSc, University of Birmingham

Research Interest

I am an evolutionary biologist and I use social insect models to investigate a variety of aspects of evolution. My primary interests include host-parasite interactions, communication and insect physiology, but more specifically my primary projects include the following: My current work is within the Siva-Jothy lab (e3.group.shef.ac.uk) investigating the role of endosymbionts in insect immune responses, using the common bedbug as a model. I am continuing to investigate how honey bees interact with a specific fungal brood parasite that causes the disease 'Chalkbrood'. Here I am primarily interested in the impact of genetic diversity in both host and parasite and how this influences their interactions. I am collaborating with Prof. Dianne Ford at the University of Newcastle on a project aimed at understanding how diet influences behaviour and longevity in ants through epigenetic mechanisms.