Dr Karen Siu Ting

Computational Biologist and zoologist with research interests in computational methods in phylogenomics, comparative genomics, metagenomics and metataxonomics to address biological questions, in particular those focusing on animal evolution and ecology. More recently, she applies metabarcoding and environmental DNA techniques (developing bioinformatic pipelines) to advance knowledge of ecosystem biodiversity, in particular applying these for the surveillance of parasites in farmlands in Northern Ireland and in assessing dietary interactions for poisonous tropical amphibians. Her extensive fieldwork experience in the Peruvian Amazon and Andes led to the discovery of new species, understanding their ecology and evolution, improving knowledge in diversity richness and conservation status of Peruvian amphibians and reptiles, work which has influenced government policies in Peru. With 33 publications, her work is recognized through her appointments as an IUCN specialist, panel member for NERC, board member for the Amphibian Genomics Consortium and Systematics Association.

Bioinformatics; genomics; ecology; evolution; biodiversity