Dr Carmel McDougall

Dr Carmel McDougall

Lecturer in Marine Biology

Researcher profile

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 3433
Email
cm107@st-andrews.ac.uk

 

Research areas

My research group uses comparative and functional genomics and experimental studies to provide practical outcomes for sustainable aquaculture and marine conservation, and to shed light on the evolution and diversity of the amazing repertoire of organisms found within our oceans.  

My research group explores three main themes:

EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Identification of the genes involved in molluscan and annelid biomineralisation and investigating how they have evolved
  • Exploring the role of gene co-option in invertebrate evolution
  • Understanding the evolution of immune systems in molluscs

MOLECULAR AQUACULTURE

  • Investigating how variation in biomineralisation genes leads to differences in pearl quality
  • Using comparative transcriptomics to improve hatchery production of rock oysters
  • Developing molecular tools for the prevention of gonad maturation in tropical abalone

MOLECULAR ECOLOGY

  • Using genetic identification to understand tropical rock oyster biodiversity
  • Exploring the importance of multiple foundation species on shellfish reef restoration success
  • Development of eDNA techniques for rapid oyster biodiversity assessment
  • Molecular detection of exotic bivalve species

PhD supervision

  • Mollie Stefanek

Selected publications

 

See more publications