Robine HJ Leeuwis
About
I am a postdoc in the Jutfelt Fish Ecophysiology Lab. My research focuses on the effects of climate change stressors on the physiology of fishes, and I currently work on questions related to thermal acclimation and adaptation.
Before joining the NTNU, I completed my PhD in the Gamperl Fish Physiology Lab at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, and I obtained my MSc degree at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands.
At the moment, I use zebrafish as my primary experimental model, but I also work with local species such as Atlantic cod and goldsinny wrasse, and previously I studied sablefish, Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. I have a broad interest and analytical skillset in the areas of eco-evo-devo, animal ecophysiology, ecoimmunology, and nutrition.
Research
CLIMEVOLVE
How will animals adapt to climate change? I'm involved in the ERC-funded CLIMEVOLVE project led by Prof. Fredrik Jutfelt, where we study the physiology of ectothermic animals. Specifically, we investigate the evolution of thermal performance in zebrafish.
Our project won a prize!
At the Society for Experimental Biology conference in Prague this summer, I presented a poster about the goals and first results of the CLIMEVOLVE project. For this, I received the Irene Manton Poster Prize, which is a big honour and really exciting!
Publications
Climate change can impair bacterial pathogen defences in sablefish via hypoxia-mediated effects on adaptive immunity
In this research article, we investigated the effect of chronic hypoxia on sablefish immunity. We used newly developed methods for this study species, and Aeromonas salmonicida bacterin injections to mimic infection.
Effects of climate warming
This book chapter in the new edition of the Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology provides an overview of climate change effects on fishes. We distinguish between acute and chronic warming impacts, and describe underlying molecular mechanisms and acclimation.
Adaptations and plastic phenotypic responses of marine animals to the environmental challenges of the high intertidal zone
The intertidal zone is home to an incredible variety of marine animals, however, it is also a challenging environment with many stressors. This book chapter summarizes the state of knowledge of ecophysiological adaptations in intertidal animals.
2025
-
Blewett, Tamzin A.;
Ackerly, Kerri Lynn;
Sundin, Josefin;
Clark, Timothy D.;
Rowsey, Lauren E.;
Griffin, Robert A..
(2025)
Unintended Consequences of Aquatic Enrichment in Experimental Biology.
Environmental Science and Technology
Academic literature review
2024
-
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Hall, Jennifer;
Zanuzzo, Fabio;
Smith, Nicole;
Clow, Kathy;
Kumar, Surendra.
(2024)
Climate change can impair bacterial pathogen defences in sablefish via hypoxia-mediated effects on adaptive immunity.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
Academic article
-
Cowan, Zara-Louise;
Green, Leon;
Clark, Timothy D.;
Blewett, Tamzin A.;
De Bonville, Jeremy;
Gagnon, Thomas.
(2024)
Global change and premature hatching of aquatic embryos.
Global Change Biology
Academic literature review
2022
-
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Gamperl, Anthony Kurt.
(2022)
Adaptations and plastic phenotypic responses of marine animals to the environmental challenges of the high intertidal zone.
Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review
Academic literature review
-
Jones, Evan M.;
Oliver, Luke P.;
Ma, Jie;
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Myrsell, Veronica;
Arkoosh, Mary R..
(2022)
Production of a monoclonal antibody specific to sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) IgM and its application in ELISA, western blotting, and immunofluorescent staining.
Fish and Shellfish Immunology
Academic article
2021
-
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Zanuzzo, Fábio S.;
Peroni, Ellen F.;
Gamperl, Anthony Kurt.
(2021)
Research on sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) suggests that limited capacity to increase heart function leaves hypoxic fish susceptible to heat waves.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Academic article
Journal publications
-
Blewett, Tamzin A.;
Ackerly, Kerri Lynn;
Sundin, Josefin;
Clark, Timothy D.;
Rowsey, Lauren E.;
Griffin, Robert A..
(2025)
Unintended Consequences of Aquatic Enrichment in Experimental Biology.
Environmental Science and Technology
Academic literature review
-
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Hall, Jennifer;
Zanuzzo, Fabio;
Smith, Nicole;
Clow, Kathy;
Kumar, Surendra.
(2024)
Climate change can impair bacterial pathogen defences in sablefish via hypoxia-mediated effects on adaptive immunity.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
Academic article
-
Cowan, Zara-Louise;
Green, Leon;
Clark, Timothy D.;
Blewett, Tamzin A.;
De Bonville, Jeremy;
Gagnon, Thomas.
(2024)
Global change and premature hatching of aquatic embryos.
Global Change Biology
Academic literature review
-
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Gamperl, Anthony Kurt.
(2022)
Adaptations and plastic phenotypic responses of marine animals to the environmental challenges of the high intertidal zone.
Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review
Academic literature review
-
Jones, Evan M.;
Oliver, Luke P.;
Ma, Jie;
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Myrsell, Veronica;
Arkoosh, Mary R..
(2022)
Production of a monoclonal antibody specific to sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) IgM and its application in ELISA, western blotting, and immunofluorescent staining.
Fish and Shellfish Immunology
Academic article
-
Leeuwis, Robine Helena Jannigje;
Zanuzzo, Fábio S.;
Peroni, Ellen F.;
Gamperl, Anthony Kurt.
(2021)
Research on sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) suggests that limited capacity to increase heart function leaves hypoxic fish susceptible to heat waves.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Academic article
Teaching
Courses
- BI2025 - Dyreøkofysiologi og økotoksikologi
- BI3023 - Spesiell zoofysiologi
- BI2024 - Menneskets anatomi og fysiologi
Supervision
PhD students
Moa Metz (2023-present)
Lorena Silva Garay (2021-present)
MSc students
Josefine Helene Røhm Fleischer (2024-present)
Henning H. Kristiansen (Data Technology) (2023-present)
Undergraduate interns
ERASMUS experiential learning program:
Claudia Hernández Camacho (Spain) (2024)
Yagmur Kırbayır (Turkey) (2023)
Luisa Drautz (Germany) (2022-2023)
Violeta Garcia Muñoz (Spain) (2021-2022)