Researcher

Jens Boyen

Research Expertise (University of Antwerp):I am a molecular evolutionary ecologist with a passion for addressing the current climate and biodiversity crises. My research focuses on the evolutionary history and the present and future ecological significance of omega-3 fatty acid biosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems. My work bridges molecular processes, ecosystems, and human society—recognizing that while humans depend on aquatic ecosystems for essential nutrients, they also profoundly impact them. I always strive to combine fundamental research with tackling anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems. As an FWO-supported postdoctoral researcher, I am investigating the role of fatty acid biosynthesis in the rapid trophic diversification of Lake Malawi cichlids, and how these fish contribute to the essential nutrient supply of local communities.

Keywords (University of Antwerp):LIPIDS, CLIMATE CHANGE, ANIMAL ECOLOGY, SPECIATION, AQUATIC BIOLOGY, MOLECULAR EVOLUTION, NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING, Physics (incl. astronomy)
Keywords (Ghent University):global change, marine ecology, molecular ecology

Disciplines (University of Antwerp):Animal ecology, Lipids, Global ecology, Molecular evolution, Transcriptomics
Disciplines (Ghent University):Molecular evolution, Global ecology, Transcriptomics, Marine ecology, Animal ecology, Lipids

Research techniques (University of Antwerp):- Big data analyses - Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry - Stomach content metabarcoding, short- and long read sequencing, transcriptomics, bioinformatics - Evolutionary whole-genome analysis - Dietary experiments on aquatic animals (incl. fish) - Field work

Users of research expertise (University of Antwerp):- Researchers in the disciplines of molecular-evolutionary ecology, fatty acid ecology, trophic ecology and global change ecology - National and international policy makers in the fields of climate adaptation and mitigation, international cooperation, food security and One Health (e.g. FAO) - Local communities dependent on aquatic ecosystems for food and nutrient supply