I am an evolution biologist broadly interested in understanding how natural populations evolve under different environmental conditions. Current research foci in my lab include amphibian (largely frog) genetics/genomics, invasive species genetics, and adaptation in fruit flies.

Room: 304, Environment Centre Wales, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University

Website: https://comeaultlab.wordpress.com/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 (0) 1248 382631

Blue Sky: @aaronc-research.bsky.social

Evolution | Genomics | Adaptation | Speciation | Host-Microbe Interactions.

We ask questions in these areas using experimental, population sampling, and genomic approaches, and use drosophilid flies, amphibians, and their microbes as models.

2026     Co-I: UKRI (BBSRC-NSF/BIO): “Tipping the balance of amphibian microbiome host immune interactions towards greater antifungal defences” (1,205,069 GBP). PI: Dr O. Osborne. Co-Is: Dr A. Ellison (Bangor U.), Prof Leon Grayfer (George Washington U.), Prof Brian Gratwicke (Smithsonian).

2025     Co-I: The Malacological Society of London, Research Grant: “DNA sequence determination of barnacle-dwelling phenotypes of the gastropod Littorina saxatilis.” (1,800 GBP). PI: Dr J. Grahame.

2024     Project Partner: NSF (Award Number 2423115): “MCA: Genomic architecture and landscape genomics of polytypism in a poison frog” (285,014 USD). PI: Prof. Brice Noonan.

2024     PI: NERC Environmental Omics Facility, Independent multiomics pilot project competition (NEOF1724): “Functional diversity among intertidal biofilms and the gut microbiomes of their molluscan grazers” (14,770 GBP).

2022     PI: Royal Society (UK), Research Grant (RGS\R1\221323): “The role of structural variants in driving genome evolution during biological invasions” (19,914 GBP).

2021     PI: NERC Environmental Omics Facility de novo genome competition (LIMS#126459): “Insights into the evolution of genome size and structure from the genome sequence of the Dyeing poison frog, Dendrobates tinctorius” (31,745 GBP).

Teaching:

• Module Organiser and Lecturer in “Research Experience in Zoology (ENS-2002)”
• Module Organiser and Lecturer in “Insect Behaviour and Evolution (ENS-3412)”
• Module Organiser and Lecturer in “Genetics and the Conservation of Small Populations (ENS-4404)”
• Contributing lecturer in: Practical And Field Skills For Biological Scientists (ENS-1403); Introduction to Primatology (ENS-2402); Dissertations in Biological Sciences (BSX-3070); Molecular Ecology and Evolution (BSX-3139); Life in a Changing Climate (BSX-3150)

Supervision:

I supervise research students at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught, and Postgraduate Research levels.