Johannes
Cairns
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Areas of expertise
Biography
I am a Collegium Researcher (Title of Docent in Evolutionary Genetics and Bioinformatics, 2023) at the University of Turku, where I lead the Microbial Evolutionary Genetics Lab (utu.fi/meg/). My research focuses on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities, antibiotic resistance, and resilience, combining experimental evolution, molecular microbiology, and bioinformatics. I received my PhD in Microbiology from the University of Helsinki in 2018 and have since worked in Finland and the UK. I have authored more than 25 peer-reviewed articles and actively contribute to scientific collaboration, teaching, and science communication. In addition to the University of Turku, I am affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, and the Finnish Multidisciplinary Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance Research (FIMAR). Besides my science training, I also have academic training (PhD) and publications in environmental humanities, and am a founding and active member in One Health Finland (est. 2016), reflecting my broad interest in systemic approaches to global health and environmental challenges.
Teaching
I have taught at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, with experience ranging from lectures and seminars to workshops and curriculum development. My teaching has focused on microbiology, experimental evolution, molecular genetics, and bioinformatics, including international training initiatives. I have also co-designed course material and supervised students across degree levels.
Research
I study the eco-evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities, with a particular focus on how they adapt to environmental disturbances and antibiotic stress. By combining experimental evolution, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics, I aim to uncover the mechanisms that shape microbial resistance, resilience, and community interactions.