Dr Christian Thomas

Dr Christian Thomas is a postdoctoral researcher in professor Eamonn Mallon's social epigenetics lab.

Dr Thomas studied his undergradute and masters degrees at Cardiff University. He began his PhD at the University of Leicester in 2017 which explored DNA methylation in the insect model Nasonia vitripennis. 

In 2022 Dr Thomas started a postdoctoral research position in the Benjamin Warren lab examining the different cell types of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria's auditory organ. Single cell sequencing was performed to better characterise cell type, and identify similarities in genes and gene regulatory network pathways implicated in hearing loss. 

Dr Thomas' current postdoctoral position with the Mallon lab examines ways to alter the epigenetic clock in the methylation model Nasonia vitripennis to alter the rate of epigenetic aging. To do this, the lab are examining methods to alter Nasonia's lifespan using sleep disruption. 

Dr Thomas also aims to elucidate the mechanisms linking gene expression and insect DNA methylation using single cell sequencing. The exact role of DNA methylation in insects is currently unclear. A large reason for this is that most insect studies use whole organisms or bulk tissue containing a large number of cell types. Single cell RNA and methylation sequencing are hoped to further uncover the mechanisms in which DNA methylation regulates gene expression in insects.

Thomas CL, Mallon EB (2025) Genome-wide demethylation and targeted remethylation during metamorphosis in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Epigenetics & Chromatin

Foley EEB, Thomas CL, Kyriacou CP, Mallon EB (2025) Larval diapause slows adult epigenetic aging in an insect model, Nasonia vitripennis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 122

Austin TT, Thomas CL, Warren B (2025) Sex differences in auditory function of the desert locust. Hearing Research 460

Thomas C, Mallon E (2025) PryfynMeth: A Python package streamlining insect methylation analyses. Zenodo  

Brink K, Thomas CL, Jones A, Chan TW, Mallon EB (2024) Exploring the ageing methylome in the model insect, Nasonia vitripennis. BMC genomics 25

Austin TT, Thomas CL, Warren B (2024). Auditory robustness and resilience in the aging auditory system of the desert locust. Neurobiology of Aging 133  

Austin TT, Thomas CL, Lewis C, Blockley A, Warren B (2023). Metabolic decline in an insect ear: correlative or causative for age-related auditory decline? Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 11 

2012-2015, Bsc (Hons) Biochemistry, Cardiff University

2016-2017, Masters of Research, Cardiff University

2017-2022, PhD Genetics, University of Leicester