Guest researcher Katie Lotterhos models the future Baltic Sea
Katie Lotterhos is guest researcher at the Department of Marine Sciences this spring. Katie comes from Boston and a research group that uses evolutionary genomics to understand how marine biodiversity is affected by various environmental changes. During her time at University of Gothenburg, she will work at Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, and develop and test mathematical models to predict future effects from climate change on species in the Baltic Sea. She vill also test and develop her skills in nordic skating.
What are you going to do here?
"I will be collaborating with researchers at Tjärnö to develop and test models to predict how environmental change will affect different species found throughout the Baltic Sea. Within species, there can be a lot of genetic variation. This means that individuals with a specific genotype might perform better in one environment, for example in low salinity conditions, while individuals with another genoype perform better in another environment, for example in high salinity conditions. Using models we can predict how specific genetic types will respond to changing environmental conditions. This information can be used to improve restoration projects of, for example, eelgrass meadows."
Where is your usual work place?
"I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston. I work with marine fish and invertebrates, including Atlantic cod and the Eastern oyster. My lab also develops evolutionary theory and statistical methods for analysing genomic data."
What do you do when you are not working?
"I enjoy mountain biking, camping, and cross country skiing. I am learning how to nordic skate and hope that the weather stays cold so that I may get as much skating in as I can before I go back to Boston!"
Something else you would like to share?
"My husband and son are here with me and my son is attending the Tjärnö school. We will be here until the end of May. I am very grateful to everyone for making my family feel welcome here."
