Vernimmen Group, PhD Student Current researchBy using phylogenetics, transcriptomics and epigenomics, I am analysing the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) gene family, including MyoD, Myf5, MRF4 (Myf6) and Myog (Myogenin) to provide insights in how MRF paralogues have been retained after the salmonids whole genome duplication (WGD) event roughly 80-100 million years ago. By integrating data across different tissues and life stages, this research will reveal the conservation and divergence of regulatory elements in duplicated genes, while also addressing how they are differentially regulated during development. Ultimately, this approach will yield novel insights into how duplicated genes evolve and are regulated post-WGD in salmonids.ture, singing and cooking with friends, as well as exploring new interests like yoga, dancing and other activities to embrace new possibilities. Favourite aquaculture speciesAtlantic Salmon.BackgroundI did my Bachelor's in Biological Science with a focus on Aquatic Biology, and then completed my Master's at East China Normal University, where I did some fascinating, published research on bat genome evolution—specifically looking at bat conservation genomics and chromosomal evolution. I then moved to Edinburgh to pursue a PhD at the Roslin Institute, supervised by Doug Vernimmen and Dan Macqueen where I am combining my background in evolutionary biology with fish gene regulation. My current project focuses on understanding myogenic regulatory evolution following the salmonid whole genome duplication.[2024 – Present] PhD Student, Roslin Institute[2021 – 2024] M.S. in Molecular Ecology, East China Normal University, China[2017 – 2021] B.S. in Biological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, ChinaInterests, hopes and dreamsOutside of research, I love travelling, observing and filming na This article was published on 2026-05-11
