Zexin Jiao

Macqueen Group, Post-doctoral researcher

Current research

In my current role, I am part of SalmoStrong Pillar 1: Integrated Genetics, where I work on advancing pangenomic resources and modern population-level genomic tools for Atlantic salmon. My research focuses on:

  • developing pangenomic approaches to capture diverse forms of genetic variation, especially structural variants;
  • analysing large-scale sequencing datasets using low-coverage WGS imputation, GWAS, molecular QTL mapping and genomic prediction;
  • improving our understanding of the genetic basis of robustness and disease resistance traits;
  • integrating results into practical selective breeding pipelines for the salmon industry.
Jiao on a tram in New Orleans

Background

I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Ocean University of China, where I first became fascinated by structural variation (SV) and its role in shaping phenotypic diversity in aquaculture species. My early research focused on using whole-genome resequencing data and bioinformatic tools to detect SVs in Pacific oyster and explore their contribution to fast-growth traits. In 2021, I moved to Edinburgh to pursue my PhD and joined Professor Dan Macqueen’s Aquaculture Genomics group, further deepening my expertise in population genomics, large-scale sequencing analysis and SV discovery across multiple farmed fish species.

[2014-2018] BSc, Aquaculture, Ocean University of China

[2018-2021] MSc, Aquaculture, Ocean University of China

[2021-2025] PhD, Genetics and Genomics, University of Edinburgh

[2025-Present] Post-doctoral researcher in Aquaculture Genomics, University of Edinburgh

Outside work

Outside work, I’m an avid traveler, driver, gamer, flight drone pilot, fisher and swimmer — always excited to explore new hobbies and adventures.

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