Batoidea evolution through time and reproduction

Project Description

Dr Gubili is an established expert on elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates), as demonstrated by her track record: from her work on the conservation of the great white shark, to her projects on monitoring and mitigating interactions between fisheries and vulnerable species in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The proposed project Batoidea evolution through time and reproduction expands this line of investigation, moving into the genomics era. Dr Gubili is proposing novel genomic approaches in biodiversity and conservation, following the emergent "conservation genomics" field. The prestigious Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship scheme will act as a catalyst for Dr Gubili's research field and career, allowing the applicant to focus on this timely project, building a stronger research network, and enhancing the strength of international collaboration with new ideas and future research plans (i.e., Horizon Europe, BBSRC). At the same time, the fellowship will benefit the candidate's own organisation, FRI, and the fisheries sector in general, as elasmobranchs, even though not targeted, are constantly depleted as bycatch.