Hello! My name is Rosalin Simpson, I am excited to be starting as a QUADRAT PhD student in October 2020 in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Aberdeen. I have recently graduated from the University of Dundee with my MSci in Biological Sciences (Bioinformatics). During my undergraduate I became particularly interested in bioinformatics, performing two short research projects in the Division of Computational Biology at the University of Dundee. The most recent I was a part of the Pisliakov group where I utilised molecular dynamics simulations in order to obtain explore the molecular mechanisms of the mRNA capping enzyme Cap-specific Adenosine Methyltransferase.
During my undergraduate degree I developed an interest in parasitology which led me to become interested in my QUADRAT PhD project: Functional parasite epigenomics and transcriptomics for improving honey-bee health in a global pollination crisis. My research will focus upon the parasitic mite Varroa destructor which critically affect the health of honey-bees by a three-way symbiosis with a range of viruses, the most prominent being the deformed-wing virus. As It is currently poorly understood how functional molecular processes may affect the behaviour of Varroa mites and their viral transmission, my research aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of the functional epigenomic and transcriptomic processes involved in the interaction between the Varroa mite and the deformed-wing virus.
On a more personal note, I am from Letham, a village in the countryside of Angus in Scotland. Growing up surrounded by the countryside has given me an appreciation for nature and I like spending my free time walking and exploring areas of Scotland. I also enjoy a range of hobbies such as photography, reading and a range of arts and crafts such as knitting, painting and sewing. I have also developed a love for succulents and have started to develop a collection which I’m sure will expand as my PhD progresses.
