Jan Strugnell

Jan Strugnell investigates the evolution and function of marine organisms using genomic and proteomic techniques. Her research encompasses both applied and blue skies questions.

Jan uses genetic tools to investigate population and species level molecular evolution of Antarctic species in the context of past geological and climatic change. She also applies next generation sequencing tools to help solve bottlenecks in fisheries and aquaculture industries and works on marine species that are shifting range in response to climate change.

Jan completed her BSc (hons) at James Cook University before obtaining her DPhil at Oxford University, UK, funded by a Rhodes Scholarship. During her DPhill she used molecular and fossil evidence to investigate phylogenetic relationship and divergence times within cephalopods (octopus, squids and cuttlefish). Jan then worked as a post doctoral research fellow at Queen's University, Belfast, the British Antarctic Survey and Cambridge University, UK, where she investigated evolutionary relationships within and between Antarctic and deep-sea octopods.