معرفی
Aaron Comeault is a Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, where he conducts research in evolutionary biology, genomics, and adaptation. He is affiliated with the Molecular Ecology and Evolution research group and leads a lab focused on understanding evolutionary processes in natural populations using drosophilid flies, amphibians, and their microbial symbionts.
Research Interests: His work spans several key areas in evolutionary biology, including speciation, adaptation, host-microbe interactions, and ecological genomics. He uses a combination of experimental evolution, population sampling, and high-throughput genomic techniques to study how organisms evolve under environmental pressures, particularly in invasive species and hybrid zones. His lab investigates both broad-scale evolutionary patterns and fine-scale genetic mechanisms.
Publication Trends: His recent publications (2020–2025) reflect a strong focus on comparative and phylogenomic analyses, particularly in Drosophila and amphibians. There is a clear trend toward integrating microbiome data with host genomics, exploring transposable element dynamics, and understanding the predictability of evolutionary outcomes in hybrid and invasive systems. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications, PNAS, PLoS Biology, and Current Biology.
Scientific Recognition:
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2022
Advising and Grants: Dr. Comeault supervises postgraduate research and offers projects in amphibian genomics, invasive species, and drosophilid speciation. He has led funded projects such as 'Male-male competition and host range evolution in an herbivorous leaf-footed bug' and 'The role of structural variants in driving genome evolution during biological invasions.' He is active in mentoring students and promoting research opportunities at Bangor University, particularly through the College of Science and Engineering.
Research Labs and Teams: He leads the Comeault Lab (comeaultlab.wordpress.com), which is part of the broader Molecular Ecology and Evolution group at Bangor. His research is highly collaborative, involving international teams and consortia, particularly in large-scale genomic initiatives such as the Drosophilidae phylogenomic project. He also participates in community events like the Littorina Research Community Meeting and presents on topics such as diversification in Drosophila and microbial symbionts.
