Dr Lucy Webster
Senior Wildlife Forensic ScientistTelephone Number Email Address |
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Research interests/Areas of expertise
- The application of genetic data to wildlife forensics, management and conservation.
- Development of molecular tools for DNA barcoding, population genetics and transcriptomics.
Biography
- Deputy Director and lecturer on the “Applied Conservation Genetics with Wildlife Forensics” online masters programme at the University of Edinburgh
- Chair of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences Technical Working Group since 2016
- Chair of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife crime (PAW) Forensic working group since 2016, member since 2011
- Former chair of the PAW Scotland science group 2013-18
- Joined SASA in January 2011 as senior molecular biologist working on wildlife DNA forensics. Role includes regular casework for wildlife crime investigations and research projects to develop new tools for wildlife DNA forensics.
- PDRA position with the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland on a project to use population genetic information to inform wild Atlantic salmon management (2009-2010).
- PDRA at the University of Aberdeen investigating transcriptomic responses of red grouse to their nematode parasites, Trichostrongylus tenuis (2006-2008).
- PhD at the University of Glasgow examining population genetic structure and evidence for drug resistance in T. tenuis parasites of wild red grouse across the UK (2001-2005).
- Research assistant at the Natural History Museum in London working on the molecular systematics of mites from the species complex Acarus siro (2001).
Publications
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Validation of presumptive tests for non-human blood using Kastle Meyer and Hemastix reagents. Science & Justice. . In Press.
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DNA barcoding validates species labelling of certified seafood. Current Biology. 29(6):R198-R199. . 2019.
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Profiling in wildlife crime: recovery of human DNA deposited outside. Forensic Science International: Genetics. 35:65-69. . 2018.
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Performance and precision of double digestion RAD (ddRAD) genotyping in large multiplexed datasets of marine fish species. Marine Genomics. 39:64-72. . 2018.
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Ice sheets and genetics: Insights into the phylogeography of Scottish Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.. Journal of Biogeography. 45(1):51–63. . 2018.
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An internationally standardized species identification test for use on suspected seized rhinoceros horn in the illegal wildlife trade. Forensic Science International: Genetics. 32:33-39. . 2018.
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‘ForCyt’ DNA database of wildlife species. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series. 6:e466-e468. . 2017.
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Validation studies on dinucleotide STRs for forensic identification of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis. Forensic Science International: Genetics. 26:e25-e27. . 2017.
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A microsatellite baseline for genetic stock identification of European Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). ICES Journal of Marine Science. :fsx184. . 2017.
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Identification and characterisation of 17 polymorphic candidate genes for response to parasitic nematode (Trichostrongylus tenuis) infection in red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica). Conservation Genetics Resources. 7(1):23-28. . 2015.
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Wildlife: DNA. Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science. . 2014.
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Resurrecting the Dodo: Positive control DNA for species identification. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series. 4(1):e140–e141.Progress in Forensic Genetics 15 — Proceedings of the 25th World Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG). 2013.
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A transcriptomic investigation of handicap models in sexual selection. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 67(2):221-234. . 2013.
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Pronounced genetic structure and low genetic diversity in European red-billed chough. Conservation Genetics. 13(5):1213-1230. . 2012.
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Transcriptomic response of red grouse to gastro-intestinal nematode parasites and testosterone: implications for population dynamics. Molecular Ecology. 20(5):920-931. . 2011.
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Isolation and characterisation of 17 microsatellite loci for the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). Conservation Genetics Resources. 3(4):737-740. . 2011.
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Identification of genes responding to nematode infection in red grouse. Molecular Ecology Resources. 11(2):305-313. . 2011.
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Dominant and diet-responsive groups of bacteria within the human colonic microbiota. International Society for Microbial Ecology Journal. 5:220-230. . 2011.
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Testing the interactive effects of testosterone and parasites on carotenoid-based ornamentation in a wild bird. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 23(5):902-913. . 2010.
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Oxidative stress and the effect of parasites on a carotenoid-based ornament. Journal of Experimental Biology. 213(3):400-407. . 2010.
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Characterising functionally important and ecologically meaningful genetic diversity using a candidate gene approach. Genetica. 138(4):419-432. . 2010.
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Physiological Stress Mediates the Honesty of Social Signals. PLoS ONE. 4(3):e4983. . 2009.
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Physiological stress links parasites to carotenoid-based colour signals. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 23(3):643-650. . 2009.
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Honest sexual signalling mediated by parasite and testosterone effects on oxidative balance. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences. 276(1659):1093-1100. . 2009.
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Cross-Species Utility of Microsatellite Markers in Trichostrongyloid Nematodes. Journal of Parasitology. 95(2):487-489. . 2009.
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Bayesian paternity analysis and mating patterns in a parasitic nematode, Trichostrongylus tenuis. Heredity. 104(6):573-582. . 2009.
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Absence of three known benzimidazole resistance mutations in Trichostrongylus tenuis, a nematode parasite of avian hosts. Veterinary Parasitology. 158(4):302-310. . 2008.
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Macrogeographic population structure in a parasitic nematode with avian hosts. Veterinary Parasitology. 144(1-2):93-103. . 2007.
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Abundant variation in microsatellites of the parasitic nematode Trichostrongylus tenuis and linkage to a tandem repeat. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 148(2):210-218. . 2006.
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Molecular systematics of Acarus siro s. lat., a complex of stored food pests. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 32(3):817-822. . 2004.
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Out of Anatolia: longitudinal gradients in genetic diversity support an eastern origin for a circum-Mediterranean oak gallwasp Andricus quercustozae. Molecular Ecology. 12(8):2153-2174. . 2003.