Dr Katie Woodcock

Postdoctoral Fellow

As a Postdoctoral fellow in the Lawniczak team, my project focuses on comparative genomics of seasonal forms of two UK hoverfly species.

Hoverflies are responsible for an array of positive and environmentally beneficial tasks throughout their lifecycle including pollination, pest control and nutrient recycling. Many hoverfly species including E. balteatus and E. tenax are described as partial migrants, whereby two Autumnal forms exist; a long-distance migrant travelling southwards in Autumn and an overwintering form which remains in the UK in soil or caves during winter. The genomic switch behind whether a summer hoverfly becomes migratory or overwinters is not well characterised or explored and this is the focus of my research project. 

My timeline

• Joined the Wellcome Genome Campus as a Postdoctoral Fellow under the supervision of Dr. Mara Lawniczak

• Completed PhD & commenced Postdoc under the supervision of Prof. Frederic Geissmann, King's College London, UK

• Completed BSc in Microbiology and Immunology, Newcastle University, UK