Franka Hemme
I am a PhD student interested in evolution and adaptation of freshwater fish. Originally from Germany, where I completed my undergrad degree in Landscape Ecology, I moved to Sweden for a Master’s in Aquatic Ecology. I have always been passionate about aquatic systems but concerned about the growing pressures they face. I’m therefore particularly interested in understanding how populations can adapt to stressors, especially to increasing temperatures driven by climate change.
In my PhD with NWB, I combine physiological, genetic, and microbiological approaches to understand how variation arises, is inherited and shapes population survival. I will make use of a naturally diverging system of Icelandic threespine sticklebacks, and run different lab experiments to explore both genetic and microbial variation. Although I’m primarily based in Glasgow, I work closely with Lancaster University on the microbial aspects of my project. By identifying physiological adaptations to increasing temperatures, and investigating the underlying genetic and microbial drivers, I hope to better understand how freshwater systems may persist under climate change