Tracey Chapman

Professor

  • 01.50 Biology

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Contact me for details of current PhD opportunities available

Personal profile

Administrative Posts

  • Deputy Head, School of Biological Sciences

Career

  • Professor of Evolutionary Genetics (2010 - present)
  • Reader, University of East Anglia (2006 - 2010)
  • Reader, University College London (2005-2006)
  • Royal Society University Research Fellow, University College London and University of East Anglia (1998-2007)
  • BBSRC Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University College London (1995-1998)
  • SERC Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Edinburgh (1992-1995)
  • Ph.D. University of Edinburgh (1992)
  • B.Sc. Applied Biology. University of Bath (1989)

 

ResearcherID 

http://www.researcherid.com/rid/E-5100-2011

 

Research Wesbite:

http://traceychapmanresearch.com/

Key Research Interests

I am an evolutionary geneticist interested in understanding how reproductive traits evolve and function at a mechanistic level. A core interest is in evaluating the potential of sexual selection and sexual conflict for driving evolutionary change and in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved. Fruitflies provide an exceptionally good model, with relevance to pest control, for the study of sexual conflict and sexual selection. We have studied in detail the actions of seminal fluid proteins, which evolve at exceptionally high rates and have striking, fitness-related functions.

Current Research Projects

  • The genetic basis of sexual conflict in fruitflies
  • Role of sexual conflict in ageing
  • Regulation of seminal fluid encoding genes
  • Socio-sexual responses to sperm competition
  • Role of gut microbiota in driving host evolution
  • Dietary adaptation
  • Functions and fitness effects of seminal fluid proteins
  • Genetic methods for control of pest insecs

Life in our research group 

Our research uses a combination of classical and molecular genetics, life history studies and, increasingly, genomics and bioinformatics to study how male-female interactions drive evolutionary change. As well as engaging with the seminars in the School and beyond, we have our own weekly lab meetings and journal club debates to keep up to date. We work with fruitflies because of their astonishing genetic utility and ease of manipulation, but we do venture out of the lab occasionally....

PhD Positions

Click here for current PhD opportunities in Biological Sciences. But feel free to email me to discuss projects outside these areas and alternative sources of funding.

Postdocs & Fellows 

I am always happy to discuss possibilities for postdoctoral work and collaborations. Possible funding routes include fellowship appliactions, e.g. EU Marie Curie fellowships, with me acting as sponsor, or grant applications with you as a named postdoc.

Collaborations

We maintain national and international collaborations, including with: Professor Mariana Wolfner at Cornell University USA; Professor Amanda Bretman at the University of Leeds; Professor Ioannis Neziz at the University of Warwick; Dr Jen Perry at St Francis Xavier, Canada.

Teaching Interests

Evolutionary medicine, genetics, behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, life history.

Research Group or Lab Membership

PhD students:

Matthew Shackleton-Chavez. NRPDTP funded. Gene drives in Mediterranean fruitfly.

Oonagh Barker. NRPDTP funded. Fitness effects of dietary choice.

Post Doctoral Research Assistants

Dr Emily Fowler. Project: Pucblic goods / Novel proteins in fertility. Funding: NERC/BBSRC. 

Dr Lauren Harrison. Project: Social ageing. Funding: BBSRC.

Dr David Collins. Project: Novel proteins in fertility. Funding: BBSRC.

 

Research Technicians

Dr Lucy Friend. Public goods. Funding: NERC

Dr Jess Hughes. Social ageing. Funding: BBSRC

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land

External positions

ESEB President

1 Jun 20231 Jun 2025

External Examiner (Edinburgh)

Deputy Chair, BBSRC Panel C Responsive Mode

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or