Elise Biersma 
 
Project title: “Evolutionary History of the Antarctic Flora” 

Elise is an evolutionary ecologist, currently finishing her PhD at the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on the evolutionary history of the Antarctic flora (particularly bryophytes). She has a diverse generalist background in evolutionary genetics (population genetics/genomics, phylogenetics, biogeography, metagenomics and transcriptomics) and polar biology, in both terrestrial and marine habitats, and expertise ranging from plants and microbes to invertebrates. As well as having laboratory experience and skills in genetic research, she has over 7 years of experience of fieldwork in the Arctic (8 research trips in Svalbard) and Antarctic (South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula) environments, with experience from all different polar seasons.