Antonia graduated from St Hilda’s College, Oxford University, with a BA in Biological Sciences in 2005. She worked as an editorial manager and account director in scientific communications before returning to research and completing an MSc at Royal Holloway, University of London, studying the impact of oceanic currents on fish population connectivity in the SE Atlantic.

Antonia’s doctoral research focuses on the diversity and evolutionary relationships of East African soda-lake cichlid fishes. Cichlids have long been of interest in evolutionary and ecological research due to their exceptional diversity, wide range of environments inhabited, and abundance of species. The soda lakes of East Africa provide a fascinating system to study these unique fish, as the endemic Alcolapia fish exhibit several remarkable physiological adaptations to life in extreme conditions, and the system is geologically young and spatially restricted enabling a comprehensive approach. Antonia uses genetic, morphological, and ecological approaches to investigate the biodiversity, connectivity and niche exploitation of the group.

Antonia volunteers with the British Science Association London Branch organising science outreach and engagement activities, was committee member and conference organiser of the London Evolutionary Research Network 2012-2013, and currently co-organises the GEE departmental postgrad and postdoctoral seminar series.

Academic history

2011-2015 Doctoral student, University College London (UCL Graduate School)

2011 MSc Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London

2005 BA Biological Sciences, University of Oxford