Guest professor Cynthia Riginos looks forward to write, teach and do a lot of thinking
This fall, our department is visited by Cynthia Riginos from Brisbane, Australia, through Mark's guest professorship. Cynthia has her workplace at Tjärnölaboratoriet, and looks forward to the luxury of having time to think and reflect on her research. In her spare time, she likes to hike in the forest and bake sourdough bread.
What are you going to do here?
"My main focus will be writing a conceptual paper on how multispecies population genomic data can be used for spatial conservation planning - this will include worked examples and hopefully colleagues at Tjärnö will want to collaborate and showcase local species. Many other little projects, planned and unexpected, are likely to fill my research time."
"I am also looking forward to co-teaching the October graduate workshop on Seacape Genomics; this will be a good motivator to update my own analysis skills, reflect on how my research fits in this quickly moving field, and learn from other instructors and students – who always have fantastic fresh ideas."
What do you do back home in Australia?
"For the last 17 years, I have been a “Teaching & Research” academic at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia where I am a Professor in the School of the Environment."
"My research group studies diverse organisms – fishes, seastars, molluscs, and corals – and tries to understand evolutionary and ecological dynamics at the DNA level arising from planktonic larval dispersal, selection, and seascape context. Our work relates to topics such as gene flow, adaptation, speciation, hybridization, invasive species, conservation, and restoration."
What do you do in your free time?
"When I am at home, I spend a lot of time with my family and two dogs. I like to read fiction (suggestions for gripping “Nordic noir” books are most welcome), practice yoga, and enjoy spending time outdoors . I run (slowly) but really prefer walking in the woods. Cooking is one of my hobbies and I already have a wild Tjärnö sourdough bread culture started."
Something else you would like to share?
"I am extremely excited to be immersing myself in research. Having long blocks of time to think is such a luxury. And please say "hi" and tell me about your research or give me tips on living on Tjärnö!"
Interview: Susanne Liljemström
