Rebekah Oomen aims to predict the future of coastal cod
The Department's new researcher Rebekah Oomen is a frequent commuter between Sweden, Norway and Canada. Her research focuses on local adaptation in cod but also in bluefin tuna. She likes to spend her free time in the nearest body of water - when she is not translating the mating ritual of cod into music and dance.
What are you going to do here?
"I will lead the Swedish Research Council project CODTYPES. This project is focused on unravelling the mystery of why there are different Atlantic cod ecotypes coexisting along the Kattegat/Skagerrak coastlines, and what this means for the future of coastal cod. Together with my PhD student Simon Henriksson and collaborators, we are studying three generations of cod in an experimental mesocosm at Flødevigen Research Station, to understand how behavioural and genomic factors prevent mixing between ecotypes."
"I will split my time between Tjärnö Marine Laboratory and the University of New Brunswick Saint John in Canada, where I also teach and conduct research on cod and Atlantic bluefin tuna."
What did you do before?
"Originally from Canada, I've been working and living in southern Norway for the last decade or so. First, at Flødevigen Research Station as a visiting PhD student from Dalhousie University in Canada, and later as a visiting PhD student and postdoc at the University of Oslo and a Researcher II at the University of Agder."
"I have always been interested in using experiments to test hypotheses about local adaptation in cod and its consequences for how populations respond to different environmental pressures, like climate change and fishing. My background is mainly in evolutionary ecology and genomics, with somewhat more recent adventures in marine bioacoustics."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"I can usually be found in the nearest body of water – sometimes after sauna, sometimes snorkeling or just floating around relaxing. When that's not possible, I'm walking on the beach or in the woods. I'm also a hardcore fan of the Scandinavian jazz scene and live music in general, and help to run a weekly jazz club in Oslo."
Something else you would like to share?
"I co-lead the scientific and artistic project "TORSKETROMMING" (Cod drumming), a non-profit project which investigates the amazing drumming vocalizations and fascinating social lives of the Atlantic cod mating ritual. I hope to expand and share it with more of the Swedish public. If you see me around – ask to hear some cod music!"
Interview: Susanne Liljenström