Ekaterina Karabanina

My PhD work focuses on genomic erosion in grey wolves (Canis lupus), wolverines (Gulo gulo) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). One of the aims is to understand how genetic, environmental and anthropogenic factors together have been affecting wild populations. We also want to study the consequences of low population sizes in these species that resulted from heavy human persecution in the 19-20th centuries. Currently I am working on genetic diversity and phylogeography of Golden eagles in Finland and Eurasia.

Due to my strong personal interest in birds, I am eager to have them as my study species. Previously I studied how anthropogenic noise affects singing of the Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis), and my Master’s thesis was on population structure and genetic diversity of the Golden eagle. In addition to my interest in birds, I am strongly concerned about the negative anthropogenic impacts on species and nature in general. In addition, I am intrigued by interaction of abiotic and biotic (including genetic) constituents of our environment.