Dr Alex Hayward
Dr Alex Hayward
I am interested in the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. Much of my research focuses on parasites, since the majority of biodiversity is parasitic, and many of the most interesting biological phenomena are shaped by host-parasite interactions. For this I typically apply a range of phylogenetic and bioinformatic approaches.
I am interested in the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. Much of my research focuses on parasites, since the majority of biodiversity is parasitic, and many of the most interesting biological phenomena are shaped by host-parasite interactions. For this I typically apply a range of phylogenetic and bioinformatic approaches.
After an MSc on biodiversity at the Natural History Museum, London / Imperial College, I did a PhD on oak gall wasp communities with Professor Graham Stone, at the University of Edinburgh. During my PhD I focussed on chalcid parasitic wasp communities, which began a fascination with host-parasite interactions. Follwing this I did postdocs on twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera) at the University of Oxford, retroviruses at the University of Uppsala, and Lake Tanganyika cichlid parasitic worms at the University of Stockholm, before becoming a BBSRC David Phillips fellow and Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall.
After an MSc on biodiversity at the Natural History Museum, London / Imperial College, I did a PhD on oak gall wasp communities with Professor Graham Stone, at the University of Edinburgh. During my PhD I focussed on chalcid parasitic wasp communities, which began a fascination with host-parasite interactions. Follwing this I did postdocs on twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera) at the University of Oxford, retroviruses at the University of Uppsala, and Lake Tanganyika cichlid parasitic worms at the University of Stockholm, before becoming a BBSRC David Phillips fellow and Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall.
Currently my main focus is on understanding the diversity and evolution of transposable elements, which account for the vast majority of diversity within eukaryotic genomes.
Currently my main focus is on understanding the diversity and evolution of transposable elements, which account for the vast majority of diversity within eukaryotic genomes.
To contact me please email:
To contact me please email:
alex.hayward [at] exeter.ac.uk
alex.hayward [at] exeter.ac.uk