Dr Eileen Cox

Dr Eileen Cox

Scientific Associate

ORCID: 0000-0002-4522-3203
Department: Research
Division: Research
Specialisms: Diatom systematics and taxonomy, with special focus on naviculoid diatoms Scanning electron microscopy Diatom culturing Postgraduate training

Summary

My research has focused on aspects of diatom biology, particularly benthic diatoms, and has often had a strong taxonomic component. However, unlike many diatomists, I have worked extensively with live diatoms, undertaking ecological studies in a variety of ecosystems, and including experimental studies and life history work. More recently, my interests in diatom wall development led to interesting research collaborations with computer scientists and mathematicians. Having supervised a number of PhD students and Post docs, I am now responsible for the Postgraduate work in the NHM, including our involvement with a number of different Doctoral Training Partnerships.

Qualifications

Degrees

  • BSc Hons, University of Bristol, England, 1967 - 1970
  • PhD, University of Bristol, England, 1970 - 1975
  • DSc, University of Bristol, England

Academic

  • Scientific Associate, Diatoms, The Natural History Museum, UK, 2022 - ongoing
  • Head of Postgraduate Studies, The Natural History Museum, Science Directorate, United Kingdom, 2007 - 2022
  • Researcher (Diatoms) (Band 3), The Natural History Museum, Botany, United Kingdom, 1995 - 2011
  • Research Botanist (Diatoms) (SSO), The Natural History Museum, Botany, United Kingdom, 1992 - 1995
  • Honorary Lecturer, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences, United Kingdom, 1991 - 1992
  • NERC Advanced Research Fellow, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences, United Kingdom, 1990 - 1992
  • Research Associate, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences, United Kingdom, 1989 - 1990
  • Researcher, Max-Planck-Institut fuer Limnologie Flussstation, Germany, 1988 - 1989
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Stipendiat, Max-Planck-Institut fuer Limnologie, Flussstation, Schlitz / Hessen, Germany, 1985 - 1988
  • Max-Planck Gesellschaft Stipendiat, Max-Planck-Institut fuer Limnologie, Ploen / Holstein, Germany, 1982 - 1985
  • Royal Society European Exchange Research Fellow, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland / Litoralstation, Germany, 1980 - 1981
  • Lecturer, University of Oxford, Pembroke College, United Kingdom, 1979 - 1980
  • Claridge Druce Research Fellow, University of Oxford, England, 1977 - 1980
  • Departmental Demonstrator, University of Bristol, Botany, England, 1970 - 1976

Highlighted publications

  • Rose DT, Cox EJ (2014) What constitutes Gomphonema parvulum? Long-term culture studies show that some varieties of G. parvulum belong with other Gomphonema species. Plant Ecology and Evolution 147, 366 - 373. doi: 10.5091/plecevo.2014.1059
  • Willis L, Cox EJ, Duke T (2013) A simple probabilistic model of submicroscopic diatom morphogenesis. Journal of The Royal Society Interface 10, 20130067 - 20130067. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2013.0067
  • Bentley K, Clack C, Cox EJ (2012) DIATOM COLONY FORMATION: A COMPUTATIONAL STUDY PREDICTS A SINGLE MECHANISM CAN PRODUCE BOTH LINKAGE AND SEPARATION VALVES DUE TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL SWITCH1. Journal of Phycology 48, 716 - 728. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2012.01176.x
  • Cox EJ (2012) ONTOGENY, HOMOLOGY, AND TERMINOLOGY—WALL MORPHOGENESIS AS AN AID TO CHARACTER RECOGNITION AND CHARACTER STATE DEFINITION FOR PENNATE DIATOM SYSTEMATICS1. Journal of Phycology 48, 1 - 31. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2011.01081.x
  • Cox EJ, Willis L, Bentley K (2012) Integrated simulation with experimentation is a powerful tool for understanding diatom valve morphogenesis. Biosystems 109, 450 - 459. doi: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2012.05.012
  • Cox EJ Diatom identification in the face of changing species concepts and evidence of phenotypic plasticity. Journal of Micropalaeontology 33, 111 - 120. doi: 10.1144/jmpaleo2014-014

Additional links

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