• Associate Dean - Post Graduate Research - Faculty of Science

• 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/

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, some of which evolve at exceptionally high rates and have striking, fitness-related functions.

Current Research Projects

• Sexual conflict, sexual selection and ageing
• Maintenance of diverse sexual strategies
• Socio-sexual environment and health
• Importance of gut microbiota to host fitness
• 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 genomics 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 wonderful 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.

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

PhD students:

Natalie Chabot (joint with Saber Sami). MMB DTP funded. Social environment and Alzheimer's progression.

Eloise Malam NRPDTP funded. Sexual strategies in male fruitflies.

Amber Hall (joint with Phil Leftwich) NRPDTP funded. Sex conversion for pest control.

Katie Millar (joint with Phil Leftwich) NRPDTP funded. Animal symbioses.

Matthew Shackleton-Chavez (joint with Phil Leftwich). NRPDTP funded. Gene drives in Mediterranean fruitfly.

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

Post Doctoral Research Assistants

Dr Emily Fowler. Project: Sexual strategies. Funding: Leverhulme Trust. 

Dr Jean-Charles de Coriolis. Project: Genetic toolkit for insect control. Funding: BBSRC

Research Technicians

Dr Lucy Friend. Project: Sexual strategies. Funding: Leverhulme Trust

tbc. Project: Genetic toolkit for insect control. Funding: BBSRC