Dr Barbara Tschirren

I am interested in eco-evolutionary processes in natural populations and how they are affected by environmental change. Current research programmes focus on the ecology and evolution of wildlife health and disease, the impact of natural and human-induced environmental change and conservation practice on disease emergence and dynamics, and the evolution of life histories, with a special focus on cross-generational effects. I adopt an integrative research approach that combines ideas and techniques from animal ecology, evolutionary biology, ecophysiology, and molecular ecology, integrates proximate and ultimate perspectives, and spans organizational levels.

Office hours: Monday 13:00-14:00, Friday 09:30-10:30. Send me an email to book at 15min slot.

Interests:

• Evolutionary and Behavioural ecology
• Molecular ecology
• Ecophysiology
• Adaptation to changing environments
• Immunoecology and -genetics
• Host-parasite interactions
• Wildlife disease
• Life-history evolution
• Phenotypic plasticity
• Transgenerational effects

Interested in joining the group for a postdoctoral, PhD or MbyRes project? Please get in touch to discuss project ideas and funding options*.

* Previous fellows in my group obtained funding from diverse foundations and research councils, incl. EU Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Swiss National Science Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation and FAN

Qualifications:

PhD Biology, University of Bern, Switzerland (2005)
MSc Higher Education, University of Bern, Switzerland (2001)
MSc Biology, University of Bern, Switzerland (2000)

Career:

Associate Professor of Evolutionary Ecology, University of Exeter, UK (2024 – present)

Senior Lecturer of Evolutionary Ecology, University of Exeter, UK (2017 – 2024)

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Research Professorship, University of Zurich, Switzerland (2011 – 2017)

SNSF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellow, Lund University, Sweden (2008 – 2010)

Australian Research Council (APD) Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University, Australia (2008)

SNSF & Janggen-Pohn Postdoctoral Fellow, University of New South Wales, Australia (2005 – 2007)

PhD, University of Bern, Switzerland (2005)