Xiaomei Chi

My PhD project aims to understand whether differences between individuals in newly established and established populations are caused by genetic differentiation or by a plastic response to the environment. Given the potential importance of epigenetic mechanisms in shaping individual differences, it is crucial to investigate their role in shaping differences between individuals from newly established and established populations. It will provide novel insights into the relationships between genes, environment, and epigenetics that are important for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of adaptation to novel environments.