- A417, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 585946
- jonathan.s.ellis@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Jon Ellis
Associate Professor in Molecular Ecology
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Biography
Biography
2023 - present Associate Professor in Molecular Ecology
2010 - 2011 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Plymouth University
2008 - 2010 Associate Research Fellow, Exeter University
2008 Experiential Learning Development Project, Plymouth University
2006 - 2007 Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Plymouth University
Qualifications
Professional membership
Member, Genetics Society
Member, British Ecological Society
Member, Royal Entomological Society
Roles on external bodies
Scientific Board Member SICAMM (Societas Internationalis pro Conservatione Apis melliferae melliferae)
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Teaching interests
- conservation biology and conservation genetics
- molecular ecology
- evolution & biodiversity
- entomology
I teach on undergraduate and postgraduate courses in biological and environmental sciences. This includes residential field courses in the UK and abroad, practical classes, tutorials and lectures as well as supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
I am also the Academic Wellbeing Lead in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences. I believe that science students should leave university with new conceptual knowledge, improved academic and practical skills, enhanced critical thinking and an analytical mindset, but also improved resilience and determination with a good mindset for life's future challenges.
Research
Research
Research interests
I am interested in molecular ecology, evolution, genetics of natural populations and the conservation of biodiversity. I am especially interested in insects and fungi, but work on a range of biological systems.
Current projects
1. ‘Wherefore the magic? Investigating the origin of psychedelic compounds in nature’ Leverhulme Trust, PI
This project started in 2021. It combines microbiology, molecular ecology and genetic methods (barcoding, RNA-Seq, gene editing), behavioural trials and fieldwork to investigate evolutionary hypotheses for psilocybin biosynthesis.
2. Hard-wired for success? Unravelling genomic signatures in pollinators
Saam Hassan's PhD is investigating the genomics of Pyrobombus bumblebees. This sub-genus stands in contrast to other sub-genera of bumblebees due to the number of successful species in terms of abundance and range expansion
3. Modelling insect dispersal with Dr Rich Billington, Dr Mairi Knight and Joe Eva. Co-Investigator.
Joe Eva's PhD is investigating morphometry, wind, weather and climate in relation to insect dispersal and invasions, especially with regard to the colonisation of the UK by Bombus hypnorum
4. Extremophiles in a changing world - the mechanistic bases of stress resistance in rotifers and tardigrades, Dr Chiara Boschetti (PI), Prof Simon Rundle. Co-Investigator
Ellis Moloney is investigating stress tolerance in meiofauna using experimental biology methods and bioinformatics approaches
Past projects
'Bringing back black bees', NERC-CASE studentship with Victoria Buswell, Dr Mairi Knight, Dr Vanessa Huml, B4. Co-Investigator.
Victoria's Ph.D investigated introgression and the phenotypic and genotypic basis of local adaptation in UK populations of the dark European honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera.
Population genetics of the colonization of the UK by Bombus hypnorum with Dr Mairi Knight (Plymouth University), Dr Vanessa Huml, Kirsty Lloyd and Dr Mark Brown (Royal Holloway). Co-Investigator.
This project examined the population genetics of the colonisation and subsequent expansion of Bombus hypnorum in the UK
.
Ecological restoration of china clay mining sites with Mary Lane, Dr Michael Hanley, Dr Charlotte Braungardt, Dr Mairi Knight and Dr Paul Lunt and Sibelco. P.I.
Mary recently completed her PhD on the ecological restoration of heathland after china clay extraction. This project was part-funded by Sibelco. Her work involved the investigation of the role of mycorrhizal fungi as well as metal nutrients. It involved laboratory work and field-scale trials
Adaptive conservation genomics of European grayling with Vanessa Huml, Dr Ed Harris, Dr Martin Taylor (UEA), Dr Robin Sen (MMU) and the Grayling Research Trust. P.I.
Vanessa's PhD project examined genetic diversity of MHC loci in European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) in relation to bacterial and environmental parameters as well as in contrast to neutral variation, using next-generation sequencing approaches. Vanessa is now a post-doc in our group and continues to publish her recent work.
Conservation genetics of the hazel dormouse with Fraser Combe and Dr Ed Harris (MMU). Co-Investigator.
Fraser completed his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan under Dr Ed Harris (DoS). Fraser was examining landscape and conservation genetics of the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in the UK. He worked closely with a number of wildlife trusts, but particularly with Dr Simone Bullion at Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Genetic diversity, immunity and parasite load in widespread versus declining bumblebee species with Sarah Rustage. Dr Mairi Knight, Dr Richard Billington and Dr Mark Borwn (Royal Holloway). Co-Investigator.
This project examined genetic diversity and fitness (parasite load and immunocompetence) in Bombus monticola (in contrast to the closely related but widespread B. pratorum). The project is currently being followed up by NGS RAD-Seq of Bombus monticola populations (Dr Vanessa Huml). Research outputs are in prep.
Research groups
Grants & contracts
Grants and awards
2020
£242,910 Leverhulme Trust ‘Wherefore the magic? Investigating evolutionary hypotheses for the evolution of psychedelic compounds in nature’
£5289 Seale-Hayne Trust ‘Adaptation to novel plant hosts in highly polyphagous invertebrate pests’ PI Dr Michael Thom
2016
£5836 Seale-Hayne Educational Trust ‘Ecological restoration of mineral extraction sites: role of mycobiont in ericaceous plant growth on restored mine spoil’. Funds to support PhD research of Mary Lane on ecological restoration of china clay sites.
£10712 ‘The application of a novel population genomic approach to provide fresh insights into the causes of rarity among a major UK pollinator group’ PI Dr Mairi Knight.
2014
£4118 Seale-Hayne Educational Trust ‘Maintaining sustainability of natural resources’
Funds to support next-generation sequencing of hatchery reared grayling
2013
Internal faculty-wide PhD studentship competition MMU, plus £10,000 Grayling Research Trust. ‘Assessing adaptive genetic variation for effective conservation and management of European Grayling’
£4870 Research accelerator grant. ‘Adaptive conservation genomics of an important insect pollinator’. Internal grant competition MMU.
2012
£1080 Society of Biology, Undergraduate Research Bursary. Identifying evolutionary significant units in the hazel dormouse.
2010
NERC quota studentship. ‘Neutral and functional genetic variation, parasite load and immunocompetence in social insects’. Co-applicant with Dr. Mairi Knight on a successful bid for an internal PhD studentship, Plymouth University.
2008
£72990 Leverhulme trust, ‘Neutral versus functional genetic diversity: a new conservation genetic agenda’ (P.I. Dr Mairi Knight, University of Plymouth; named researcher, Jonathan Ellis).
2007
£6340 Seale-Hayne Educational Trust ‘Development of molecular techniques to further understanding of wireworm ecology’ (with Prof. Rod Blackshaw).
2005
£300 Genetics Society travel grant (conference attendance).
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Additional information
In my spare time I am a keen cyclist (roadie) and used to compete at an amateur level on the local scene as part of Team Certini. I now ride and race for Plymouth Corinthian CC. I am learning Russian (reading comprehension ~ lower intermediate, speaking - beginner) and Polish (beginner).
Links
Bumblebee conservation trust
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/
BWARS, the bees, wasps and ants recording society
http://www.bwars.com/