Biography
I was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. I conducted my undergraduate studies in the Victoria University of Wellington as well as my Master's degree, where I worked under Professor Simon Davy studying the genetic diversity of the Symbiodiniaceae (mutualistic endosymbionts of coral reefs). I have come to Cambridge to further my research interests in ecological interactions and conservation by now studying parasitic endosymbioses, working with Dr David Aldridge in the Aquatic Ecology Group.
Research
I am interested in the parasites of freshwater mussels, how they affect these key ecosystem engineers, and their interaction with invasive bivalves.
Publications
Wilkinson, S. P., Brian, J. I., Pontasch, S., Fisher, P. L., & Davy, S. K. (2018) Intra-genomic variation in Symbiodinium correlates negatively with photosynthetic efficiency and coral host performance. Coral Reefs, 37(3), 691-701.
Brian, J. I., Davy, S. K., & Wilkinson, S. P. (2019) Elevated Symbiodiniaceae richness at Atauro Island (Timor-Leste): a highly biodiverse reef system. Coral Reefs, 38(1), 123-136.
Brian, J. I., Davy, S. K., & Wilkinson, S. P. (2019) Multi-gene incongruence consistent with hybridisation in Cladocopium (Symbiodiniaceae), an ecologically important genus of coral reef symbionts. PeerJ, 7, e7178.
Brian, J. I., & Aldridge, D. C. (2019) Endosymbionts: An overlooked threat in the conservation of freshwater mussels? Biological Conservation, 237, 155-165.
