Tom Jenkins

Senior Data Analyst

Natural England

About

I am a research scientist with a broad range of interests in marine ecology, environmental science and conservation genetics.

Update: On 1st Feb 2021 I started a new job at Natural England.

Previously, I worked as a postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Exeter where I investigated how genetic and epigenetic variation influences growth in the European lobster. I am also involved in a number of other international collaborative research projects studying marine species, from economically valuable clawed lobsters, to octocorals and calcifying seaweeds such as maerl which support a variety of life and are vital for marine conservation.

Interests

Marine ecology
Environmental science
Conservation genetics
Data visualisation and R programming

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences, 2018

University of Exeter
MRes in Genomics and Bioinformatics, 2014

Imperial College London
BSc in Marine Biology, 2013

Swansea University

Featured Research

Jenkins TL, Guillemin M-L, Simon-Nutbrown C, Burdett HL, Stevens JR, Peña V

2021-03-13 Evolutionary Applications

Whole genome genotyping reveals discrete genetic diversity in north‐east Atlantic maerl beds

Samples of Phymatolithon calcareum were collected from maerl beds across the north-east Atlantic and whole genomes were sequenced to explore genetic diversity and population structure. The results showed that P. calcareum maerl beds are structured geographically and that P. calcareum maerl from the Fal Estuary is genetically distinct compared to all other sites sampled.

Code Dataset Project DOI

Jenkins TL, Ellis CD, Durieux EDH, Filippi JJ, Bracconi J, Stevens JR

2020-04-28 Ecology and Evolution 10, 5631–5636

Historical translocations and stocking alter the genetic structure of a Mediterranean lobster fishery

The results of our study suggest that restocking small‐scale fisheries such as Corsica with hatchery‐reared juveniles can be beneficial in terms of enhancing local abundance, but also that translocating animals beyond the extent of natural connectivity can have profound and long‐lasting impacts on the genetic makeup of admixed stocks.