Lab: EGCE

Team: Evolution and Genomes

Research Topic

I am interested in insect phylogenomics, taxonomy, genome evolution, and the drivers of insect diversification. My research focuses on how do plant–insect interactions and microbial symbioses drive genomic innovation, adaptation, and diversification?

Currently a postdoctoral researcher working with Antoine Branca, I investigate the genetic determinants of gall formation in Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera), with a particular focus on the dynamics of gene families associated with gall-maker vs. inquiline phenotypes. Cynipoidea are a group of tiny wasps exhibits multiple lifestyle transitions, including gall induction, inquilinism (exploiting an already formed gall), and parasitoidism.

In a comparative framework, I study patterns of gene family evolution and molecular adaptation, paying special attention to developmental genes and plant cell wall–degrading enzymes (PCWDEs). This work explores convergent genomic solutions to herbivory and plant manipulation, the role and timing of symbiont-mediated horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the genomic signatures of lifestyle transitions in lineages that reverted to parasitism or inquilinism.