About Emma
Prof. Emma Teeling established the Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Mammalian Phylogenetics in 2005 and is the Founding Director of the Centre for Irish Bat Research at University College Dublin (UCD). She has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council Starting grant (2012) and a Science Foundation Ireland, President of Ireland Young Researcher Award (2006). Her integrative research in the fields of zoology, phylogenetics, genomics and conservation biology uncovers the genetic signatures of survival that enables species to adapt to an ever-changing environment. The two mains goals of her research are: (1) study unique model species to enable a better understanding of the structure and function of the human genome to inform medicine and molecular biology; (2) understand and therefore conserve, natural populations and environments to promote ecosystem well-being and functioning. She successfully leads a prolific, internationally renowned research team of typically 10 people and has secured over 4.4M in research funding. She is listed in top 100 female Irish scientists (2014) and gave a TEDx talk (2012) > 340,000 downloads.
Research
The research group led by Emma Teeling explores the evolutionary relationships among mammals at both the nucleotide and genomic levels. Their work investigates the remarkable diversity of mammals, including differences in body size, lifespan, ecological adaptation, metabolic rate, behavior, reproduction and locomotion. Using comparative genomics, the group aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind morphological and physiological adaptations and contribute to the annotation and understanding of the human genome. They also apply evolutionary analyses of whole genomes and targeted genes from divergent species to study patterns of human disease mutations, particularly in inherited visual and auditory disorders. In addition, the lab examines how species and populations respond to recent environmental changes, using genetic data to inform conservation management strategies. Current research in the lab includes studies on the evolution of exceptional longevity in mammals, sensory perception and its implications for disease, the drivers of sensory speciation, the mammal tree of life, and the phylogenetic history and conservation status of Irish bats.