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Ellika Faust

Postdoctor

Department of Marine Sciences
Mail
ellika.faust@gu.se
Visiting address
Medicinaregatan 7 B
41390 Göteborg
Postal address
Box 461
40530 Göteborg

About Ellika Faust

Ellika Faust received her doctoral degree in Biology in 2022 from the University of Gothenburg.

Using genetic and genomic approaches, she investigates ecological and evolutionary processes in marine and freshwater systems, with a strong emphasis on conservation. Her work aims to generate knowledge that supports sustainable fisheries, biodiversity protection, and evidence-based management of aquatic resources.

During her PhD, her research centred on wrasse (Symphodus melops, Ctenolabrus rupestris & Labrus bergylta) and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) used as cleaner fish in salmon aquaculture. As the use of cleaner fish expanded rapidly, concerns emerged about increased fishing pressure on wild populations and large scale translocations across regions. She examined the genetic structure and composition of wild populations, primarily in Scandinavia, addressing population boundaries, connectivity, and local adaptation. This work provided a scientific basis for improved management of cleaner fish fisheries and highlighted the genetic risks associated with translocations, escapees from salmon farms, and hybridization.

Following her doctorate, she conducted a postdoctoral project in Switzerland, broadening her expertise in evolutionary and conservation genomics in freshwater systems. There, she applied whole genome sequencing to study population structure, genetic diversity, and cryptic species in two red-listed species, the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and the duck mussel (Anodonta anatina). Her research contributed to conservation planning by identifying distinct population units and assessing their evolutionary potential.

Her current research focuses on commercially important marine species such as Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), with a particular focus on Swedish coastal areas where many large predatory fish populations have declined markedly. Using whole genome sequencing and population genomic analyses, she investigates stock structure, connectivity, and local adaptation to inform sustainable fisheries management and long-term conservation strategies.

Throughout her career, she has applied genomic tools to a broad range of conservation questions. She has studied the invasive Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) to reconstruct their routes of establishment in Scandinavia, and analysed local population structure in eelgrass meadows (Zostera marina) to support restoration efforts and assess adaptive capacity under future climate scenarios.

Her research integrates evolutionary theory, genomics, and applied conservation to better understand how populations respond to exploitation, environmental change, and biological invasions.

 

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