Sofia Consuegra del Olmo

Professor Sofia Consuegra del Olmo is a faculty member at Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, within the School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics. Her academic journey includes a BSc in Biology (First Class) from Universidad Oviedo (1988-1993), a PhD in Evolutionary Genetics from Universidad de Cantabria (1999-2002), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education from Aberystwyth University (2011). She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (since 2014).

Her research focuses on evolutionary ecology, conservation genetics/omics, fisheries/aquaculture, and invasive species dynamics. She employs molecular tools to study genetic diversity, epigenetic adaptations, and host-microbiome interactions in aquatic systems. Her work bridges fundamental evolutionary biology with applied conservation and aquaculture challenges.

Professor del Olmo's publications predominantly explore microbiome dynamics in fish, epigenetic adaptations in changing environments, conservation genetics of endangered species, and sustainable aquaculture practices. Recent trends show increased focus on environmental DNA applications, epigenetic markers for selective breeding, and welfare improvements in farmed fish systems.

Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014-current)

She actively supervises PhD and MSc students, with current projects spanning microbiome diversity, welfare assessment in aquaculture, and sea turtle foraging ecology. She has secured significant funding including Horizon Europe projects (Cure4Aqua, IGNITION), ERDF grants (SMARTAQUA, STREAM), and a National Geographic Society award for epigenetic research. She co-leads the SERLAB genomics facility and collaborates internationally on barrier management in European rivers (AMBER project).