EmbryoPhenomics
The EmbryoPhenomics research group is based at the University of Plymouth and is formed of a diverse group of marine biologists at various stages of their career - from undergraduate to professor. Established in 2018 by Dr Oli Tills, we are driven by the need for new technological approaches to studying the dynamic process of early development.
We draw on the latest enabling technologies, including computer vision and 3D printing to push the boundaries of research. We have developed a series of laboratory and field based high-throughput phenomic thechnologies for the automated analysis of how animals develop during early their early life stages.
Currently, we are actively chasing opportunities for exciting applications of these new technologies, including; research to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, validation for industrial applications and education at the levels of school and higher-education.
Meet the Team
Oliver Tills
Oliver is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and founder of the EmbryoPhenomics technology currently based at the University of Plymouth. He has a background in developmental ecophysiology and has developed cutting edge technologies to help him advance research in to the effects of environment on the development of aquatic organisms.
Ziad Ibbini
Ziad is a PhD student, developing and applying novel phenomics technologies to assessing sensitivity to fluctuating temperatures in marine animals. His work focuses on the development of novel computational techniques to assist the development and application of complex bio-imaging technologies to answer biological questions.
Luke Holmes
Luke is a former postdoctoral researcher at the University of Plymouth who developed new technologies for visualising the dynamic process of embryonic development - from submersible cameras, to high-throughput robotic imaging systems using microscopic microfluidic chips. He has a background of using technology to understand anthropogenic impacts on the biological and chemical components of aqueous systems.
Simon Rundle
Simon is a Emeritus Professor of Aquatic Biology at the University of Plymouth. His research interests centre around the role developmental plasticity in enabling species to adapt to altered environmental conditions and, recently, the application of new phenomics technologies for measuring the interactive effects of biotic and abiotic stressors on this plasticity.
John Spicer
John is a Professor of Marine Zoology at the University of Plymouth. He is fascinated by how animals work in their environments and has led the way in both field and laboratory research in this area. He is passionate about the importance of biodiversity and physiological diversity and has written popular science books on this topic.
Jamie McCoy
Jamie is a postdoctoral researcher and former PhD student in EmbryoPhenomics. His PhD applied novel phenomics technologies to understand how evolutionary and environmental change influence embryonic development. He has experience in the implementation of imaging technologies and image analysis software to characterize the responses of embryos of marine and freshwater invertebrates to environmental change.
Chloe Green
Chloe is a former Masters student studying Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth. After completing a 6 month placement developing new microfluidic technologies within the group, Chloe is now undertaking her postgraduate project with the team.
Manuela Truebano
Manuela is a lecturer in Marine Biology who integrates whole organismal physiology and -omic approaches. She investigate the mechanisms underpinning physiological responses to changes in environmental drivers, mainly temperature and oxygen, across different stages of the life cycle.
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