Jim Labisko

Jim Labisko serves as Lecturer in Biodiversity within the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London since October 2021. Previously, he held Teaching Fellow positions at UCL (2019-2021) and Associate Lecturer/Post-Doctoral Research Associate roles at the University of Kent's School of Anthropology and Conservation (2016-2019).

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Biodiversity Management (2011-2016) from University of Kent's Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology
• BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Conservation (2008-2011) from same institute

Dr. Labisko's research centers on biodiversity conservation with specialized expertise in herpetology and evolutionary biology. He investigates amphibian conservation genetics, island biogeography, and climate change impacts on tropical species, particularly focusing on Seychelles' endemic frogs. His work integrates molecular phylogenetics with field conservation strategies to address cryptic diversity and species survival in changing environments. Current projects explore robotics applications for biodiversity monitoring and genetic rescue techniques for endangered megafauna.

Analysis of his 11 publications (2015-2025) reveals consistent focus on amphibian conservation, with 70% addressing Seychelles' unique herpetofauna. Key trends include molecular systematics of cryptic lineages (36% of works), climate change adaptation studies (18%), and conservation genetics applications (27%). His research increasingly incorporates interdisciplinary approaches, merging phylogenomics with practical conservation management.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund Grant (2017-2019) for sooglossid frog conservation strategy development

Dr. Labisko secured significant external funding through the Mohammed bin Zayed grant, which supported comprehensive fieldwork, monitoring systems, and local capacity building in the Seychelles. His collaborative research involves international teams across 8 institutions, with recent publications featuring 15+ co-authors per paper. While no formal student supervision is documented in the source material, his UCL lecturer role involves graduate teaching in biodiversity management.

His research operates within UCL's Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, collaborating with the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at University of Kent and Seychelles conservation authorities. Current projects involve robotics specialists for biodiversity monitoring and genomic researchers for genetic rescue studies, forming a multidisciplinary conservation network.