Frank Jiggins

Professor Frank Jiggins serves as Professor of Evolutionary Genetics in the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge, where he leads the Jiggins Group investigating host-parasite evolutionary dynamics. Having returned to Cambridge in 2009 after research positions at the University of Edinburgh's Institute of Evolutionary Biology, he maintains dual laboratory facilities at Downing Street and the Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory in Madingley.

His research program focuses on genetic variation in infection susceptibility using Drosophila, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and rabbits as model systems. Key investigation areas include:

• Genomic signatures of natural selection in host-parasite coevolution
• Maintenance of infection susceptibility variation in natural populations
• Mosquito vector competence determinants for human pathogens
• Evolutionary genetics of disease transmission dynamics
• Comparative genomics of insect immune systems
• Population genetics of host resistance mechanisms

Employing advanced genomic and evolutionary genetic methodologies, his work bridges fundamental evolutionary theory with disease ecology applications.

Professor Jiggins' research recognition includes:

• Wellcome Trust Fellowship (University of Edinburgh)
• Royal Society Research Fellowship (University of Edinburgh)

He actively mentors five postgraduate students while maintaining collaborative networks across evolutionary biology and vector-borne disease research communities. His group's dual-site operation supports both computational genomics and experimental infection studies.