Professor Xavier Didelot

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research is focused on the analysis of genomic data in order to improve our understanding of bacterial evolution, epidemiology, ecology and pathogenicity. A key aim is to develop new bioinformatics and statistical methods that can handle the very large amounts of data made available by novel high-throughput sequencing techniques.

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of my work, I have broad interests in a variety of subjects, including theoretical topics such as mathematical population genetics, Bayesian statistics or Monte-Carlo methods, and biological topics such as bacterial evolutionary processes or pathogen epidemiology.

Scientific Inspiration

Charles Darwin because nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Research Groups

The Zeeman Institute

Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data

Microbiology and Infectious Disease

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: outcome-oriented, supportive, collaborative.

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, leading to more independence later.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I will set out my expectations of your progression on a weekly basis. If these progression criteria are not met we will always discuss a plan of action together. I have high expectations and will push you to your full potential.

Communication

I am known to email my PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or our expectations.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per week

These meetings will be a mixture face to face and via video chat or telephone, and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

This supervisor has no previous projects with MIBTP.