
Profiles
Dr Jennifer Rowntree
Associate Professor in Ecological Genetics
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Biography
Biography
I am an ecological geneticist with a background in plant ecology. I am interested in the genetics of species interactions and use molecular tools to answer ecological questions. I work across a wide variety of systems (plants, pollinators, herbivores, microbes) and biomes (temperate and tropical) and use molecular, experimental and field approaches to answer questions. Particular foci are the population and conservation genetics of plants (e.g. mangroves), the ex situ conservation of endangered plants (e.g. bryophytes and pitcher plants) and the improvement of biodiversity in human influenced environments (e.g. pollinators and rare plants in urban and agricultural settings).
Qualifications
2022-present, Associate Professor, University of Plymouth
2016-2021, Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
2015-2016, Lecturer, University of Manchester
2011-2014, NERC Independent Research Fellow, University of York; University of Manchester
2007-2010, PDRA, University of Manchester
2004-2006, Conservation Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
2000-2004, PhD Plant Ecology, University of Manchester
1999-2000, MSc Ecology, University of Aberdeen
1993-1997, BSc Chemistry with German (1st Class), University of Sussex
Roles on external bodies
Member of IUCN SSC for Bryophytes (ex situ expert)
NERC Peer Review College member
Royal Society International Exchanges Panel Member
Research
Research
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Primary supervisor
2021 - John Paul Kennedy (PhD) - Genetic Insights into Climate-Driven Range Expansion of a Coastal Foundation Species - Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Marciana Galambao (PhD) - Population Genetics, Endosymbionts and Bunchy Top Virus - Studies of Banana Aphid (Pentalonia sp.) in the Philippines - Manchester Metropolitan University - Newton fund
2020 - Emily Schofield (PhD) - Temporal Dynamism, Soil Processes and Niche Complementary: Novel Approaches to Understanding Diversity-Function relationships - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with the James Hutton Institute
2020 - Calum Bridson (PhD) - Interactions between Insect Gut Microbiota and the Environment - University of Manchester - BBSRC DTP
2019 - Graeme Fox (PhD) - Developments in Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics for Ecological Genetics - Manchester Metropolitan University
2019 - Hayley Craig (PhD) - Factors Affecting the Composition, Diversity and Function of Bacterial Communities in Mangrove Soils - University of Manchester - NERC DTP
2017 - Katie Hunter (MPhil) - The Development of Molecular Techniques for the Conservation of Captive Elasmobranchs - University of Manchester
2013 - Richard Sands (MPhil) - Keeping the Bees Buzzing: Improving the Effectiveness of Nectar and Pollen Mixes - University of Manchester
Co-supervisor
Current - Xaali O'Reilly-Berkeley (PhD) Community Genetics in Complex Ecological Systems - Manchester Metropolitan University
Current - Jodies Bates (PhD) - Assessing the Bacterial Zoonotic Risks Associated with the Pet Trade - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with World Animal Protection
2021 - Agnessa Lundy (MRes) - Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangrove) Population Genetic Structure in The Bahamas - Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Steven Canty (PhD) - Management of Marine Resources in the Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem - Manchester Metropolitan University
2018 - Oliver Hughes (PhD) - Orchid-Mycorrhiza Relationships, Propagation of Terrestrial and Epiphytic Orchids from Seed - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with Chester Zoo
2016 - Daniel Lopez (MPhil) - Terrestrial Mammal Communities in Tropical Rainforests of Ecuador - University of Manchester
Grants & contracts
2021-2025 - WATERZOO (Project partner, PI Andy Green), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain - €164K
2021-2024 - UK Future Treescapes - Voices of the Future (CoI), NERC - FEC~£1.99M
2021 - KTP with I Want Plants (Co-I), Innovate UK - £178K
2020-2021 - Healthy Guts, Healthy Bees (PI with G Fox), Eva Crane - £11K
2019-2021 - Manchester Met Strategic Opportunities Fund PDRA (Dr Graeme Fox) (PI) - £90K
2019 - KTP with Buildchem (Co-I), Innovate/NERC funding - £217K
2017-2021 - Co-funded PhD studentship with World Animal Protection (Co-I; Jodie Bates) - £60K
2017-2020 - DOST-Newton Philippines PhD scholarship (PI; Marciana Galambao) - £54K
2016-2020 - Co-funded PhD studentship with the James Hutton Institute (PI; Emily Schofield) - £38K
2014 - NERC impact accelerator grant - FEC £15K
2013 - NERC impact accelerator grant - FEC £10K
2011-2014 - NERC Independent Research Fellowship FEC £359K
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals