Fiona Savory

I am an evolutionary biologist with broad interests, particularly in how genomic innovations underpin life-style transitions. My current research focuses on the evolution of symbiotic interactions, using Paramecium bursaria-Chlorella as a model system. I use a range of comparative and functional genomics approaches to investigate the molecular basis of nutrient exchange and factors underlying variation in host-symbiont compatibility. My past research has spanned the evolution and functional diversification of horizontally acquired genes, molecular evolution of a multipartite plant virus, and the genetic basis of stress resistance and life-history trade-offs.

Selected Publications

  • Savory, F. R., Milner, D. S., Miles, D. C. and Richards, T. A. (2018). Ancestral function and diversification of a horizontally acquired oomycete carboxylic acid transporter. Mol. Biol. Evol. 35(8): 1887-1900.
  • Savory, F. R., Leonard, G. and Richards, T. A. (2015). The role of horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of the oomycetes. PLoS Path. 11(5): e1004805.
  • Savory, F. R., Varma, V. and Ramakrishnan, U. (2014). Identifying geographic hotspots of reassortment in a multipartite plant virus. Evol. Appl. 7(5): 569-579.
  • Savory, F. R., Benton, T. G., Varma, V., Hope, I. A. and Sait, S. M. (2014). Stressful environments can indirectly select for increased longevity. Ecol. & Evol. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1013.
  • Savory, F. R., Sait, S. M. and Hope, I. A. (2011). DAF-16 and Δ9 desaturase genes promote cold tolerance in long-lived Caenorhabditis elegans age-1 mutants. PLoS One 6(9): e24550.

Hobbies & Interests

Hiking and experimenting with new cuisines.