Professor Jim Groombridge

Professor Jim Groombridge’s research interests lie primarily in population restoration, population and disease ecology, conservation genetics, genomics, and the geographical processes that determine the distribution of biodiversity. A central focus is the theoretical and practical aspects of endangered species conservation and the application of population, genetic, morphological and phylogeographic studies to enhance understanding of the biological processes that guide the conservation trajectory of endangered species. Alongside this work, he also utilises similar approaches to understand the evolutionary processes of invasive alien species, many of which can be expected to have population profiles that show strong population growth following initial small population size at foundation. These two themes are complementary: indeed, much of what we can learn about how populations of invasive alien species function can be applied to the conservation of endangered species.

Jim’s background of conservation work on island species in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius and Seychelles) and the Pacific (Hawaiian islands) has combined the practice of field monitoring and population recovery techniques with the more theoretical approaches of evolutionary phylogenetics and conservation genetics at the population level.

His research group focuses on the evolution, population genetics and conservation of endangered populations, with a particular emphasis on endemic island species. Islands are justifiably celebrated as living laboratories for evolutionary studies as well as a focus for efforts to conserve their biodiversity. Valuable insights for conservation can be gained from studying island endemics in view of their history of isolation from ancestral mainland populations, together with the problems they can encounter from invasive alien species and diseases.

Jim’s work is supported by his research group, who primarily work out of the Conservation Genetics Lab.

Professor Jim Groombridge is a member of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology. He is incredibly proud to be part of DICE and was delighted when it was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2019.

Professor Groombridge’s genetics research group focuses on conservation genetics, genomics, disease ecology and ecological and evolutionary studies involving endangered species, invasive alien species and other wildlife populations, as well as extinct species and reconstruction of evolutionary history amongst species and populations using molecular DNA markers.

For detailed information on the group, research projects, funding, members, collaborations and facilities visit the laboratory webpage.

Undergraduate (BSc in Wildlife Conservation)

• WCON5210: Saving Endangered Species
• WCON5030: Evolutionary Genetics and Conservation

Postgraduate (MSc in Conservation Biology)

• DICE8360: Integrated Species Conservation and Management
• DICE8770: Population and Evolutionary Biology
• DICE8890: Leadership Skills for Conservation Managers
• DICE9930: Research Project Skills  

Current PhD/research students

• Pam Sankhom: Conservation genomics and infectious disease of the Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula echo)  
  
• Anna Jemmett: Conservation genetics and population estimation of Mongolia's Wild Camels (Camelus ferus)
• Rebecca Louch: Effects of inbreeding and supplemental feeding on reproductive fitness in endangered bird species on Mauritius 
• Jess Bodgener: Wildlife health and management of Leopards (Panthera pardus) captured in response to Human-Wildlife Conflict in Nepal
• Lawrence Hills: Assessing the ecological impacts of non-native gamebird release on reptiles in the UK
• Salome Lopez: Conservation genetics and management of the critically endangered Great Green Macaw
  

Past PhD students

• Simon Tollington: Ecological immunology and genetic diversity of the endangered Mauritius parakeet
  
• Mohammad Abdul Aziz: Population status, threats, and evolutionary conservation genetics of Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
  
• Debbie Fogell: Measuring the effects of supplementary feeding and biosecurity on the trajectory of a threatened avian population 
• Hanna Mounce: Recovery of the endangered Maui Parrotbill (Kiwikiu, Pseudonestor xanthophrys)
• Hazel Jackson: Evolutionary and population genetics of the invasive ringneck parakeet (Psittacula krameri) 
• Jamie Sells: Adaptive potential and signatures of natural selection in the globally introduced ringneck parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
• Kate Allberry: Population viability and conservation genetics of the critically endangered Malayan tiger  
• Hadi Al Hikmani: Evolutionary Genetics and Conservation of the Critically Endangered Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr)
• Rob Pickles: Population genetics and Social Structure of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)  
• Jim Labisko: Evolutionary relationships of the sooglossid frogs of Seychelles
• Rachel Bristol: Conservation of the Seychelles paradise flycatcher
  
• Steve Green: Evolutionary biology and conservation of the Hog Island Boa Constrictor  
• Rob Ward: Status and conservation of the grass snake in Jersey
  
• Nicky Jenner: Contributions to offspring care by parents and helpers in the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) 

MSc by Research

• Nina Cornish: Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis) in Jersey, British Channel Islands
  
• Siobhan Simpson: Population genetics, inbreeding and disease in an island population of red squirrels
  

External Examiner for MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, University of Oxford (2015-2018)