Applying to study in Zoology

More student perspectives

Eva Bearmann (Mammal Evolution and Morphology Group)

I graduated from Free University in Berlin, Germany in 2007 with a study on taxonomy, biology and mating behaviour of a group of free living nematodes. During my studies, my main interest was to learn about the evolution and systematic relationships of animals, especially mammals. So I was looking fora place where I could study mammal evolution, not only with molecular data but also with the use of “good old” morphology.

For my PhD, I work on the phylogeny of Ruminantia (giraffes, deer, cows, antelopes, pronghorn, musk deer, chevrotains), a large group of terrestrial mammals with a diverse fossil record. I want to reconstruct the tree of the group, including extinct radiations, to address questions on the evolution of cranial appendages, like antlers, horns, and ossicones.

Cambridge is a great place to do this, as there is the diverse collection of the University Museum of Zoology, helpful and friendly people to work with and a range of seminars and courses to choose from to develop specialist skills. It is always possible to find someone to discuss problems with, and the daily teatime and happy hours on Fridays lets you crawl out of your office to meet fellow grad students.