Emília Santos

Emília Santos is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Zoology. Her research focuses on the evolution and diversification of morphological traits, particularly in the context of pigmentation, neural crest cells, evolution and development, and evolutionary genetics. She employs techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics, genome editing, developmental genetics, and microscopy. Her work explores the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying trait variation and the selective forces shaping them. Santos also engages in collaborative research areas including metabolomics, behavioural analysis of fish mate preference and courtship behaviours, and machine learning for phenotyping.

M. Emília Santos is a researcher at the University of Cambridge, focusing on evolutionary genetics and genomics. Her work explores the genomic mechanisms underlying adaptive radiation, particularly in cichlid fish and other aquatic insects. She investigates how genetic changes, such as cis-regulatory modifications, gene duplication, and alternative splicing, contribute to phenotypic diversity and ecological adaptation. Her research also examines the role of epigenetic divergence and transcriptomic changes in speciation and niche expansion. Santos has published extensively on the evolution of traits like egg-spots, pigmentation patterns, and pesticide resistance, highlighting the interplay between genetic innovation and environmental pressures.