Sofia L. Mendes

My main research interests are speciation and hybridization. I am particularly interested in how hybridization can affect the speciation process and facilitate adaptation to different environments. In my PhD I am investigating these questions using freshwater fish (genus Squalius) as a model system. Using genome-wide data, the main goals of my project are: (1) to identify cases of hybridization between these species and investigate if there is a correlation between those and geographical /environmental variables; (2) search for a potential adaptive role of introgression and (3) investigate and map potential genetic incompatibilities and its effects on the gene expression of hybrids