Evolution is the process that shapes the extraordinary adaptations that enable organisms to occupy all the diverse habitats and niches on Earth. The research in genetics and evolution aims to understand the ecological drivers and evolutionary processes that shape all life – from the origin of species to the mechanisms that enable adaptation to their specific environments. This research is very important for the understanding of the distribution and conservation of species.
The evolutionary mechanisms that drive diversification and adaptation to different environments – from oceans to deserts – are based on interactions between the specific environment and the genetic diversity of species. The research of evolutionary processes is central for understanding and confronting current global challenges such as the biodiversity crises, food supply, disease outbreaks and antibiotic resistance.
I am a researcher in evolutionary ecology and genetics and I am interested in group living, cooperation and mating systems, genomic consequences of sociality and inbred mating systems, genetic and non-genetic processes involved in adaptation. I am a professor and center leader of the Center for Ecological Genetics (EcoGenetics) at the Department of Biology. Here we investigate the relationship between genetic diversity and functional responses. We aim to predict the future distribution and performance of insects and the maintenance of population genetic diversity and to provide tools to develop effective management practices in the face of ongoing global change.
My passion is the natural history of life on Earth. I have combined this passion with the development of novel molecular tools to study biodiversity in a new way, and in order to work with what I love.
My research interests are mainly within molecular ecology with a focus on the applications of DNA from environmental samples (environmental DNA - eDNA) using high-throughput DNA sequencing. In my research group, we address fundamental and applied research questions within ecology and conservation. We are working with both species, community and population level analyses, mostly on animal eDNA but also comprehensive eDNA analyses using a tree-of-life approach. I also work with topics such as evolution, ecology and conservation.
What I do:
https://scholar.google.dk/citations?user=ZklvBfQAAAAJ&hl=en
Why I do it:
https://www.instagram.com/francis_in_the_field/
