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I joined
the University of Cambridge in April 2011 as a voluntary Researcher
in the Behavioural Ecology Group, where I have begun working
with Dr. Martin Stevens
and Dr. Claire Spottiswoode
on a project analysing egg colour and pattern mimicry in the
Diederik cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius) and its host
species.
I have a strong interest in the interdisciplinary approach to
avian research and, particularly, in projects that encompass
a variety of techniques to address the interactions of birds
with their environment and then use this information to predict
the potential impacts of threats, such as global environmental
change, and to develop strategies for conservation, and I look
forward to undertaking future projects in this area
Prior
to Cambridge
I completed my BSc in Biological Sciences (Zoology) at the University
of Leicester. After researching literature that described the
mass mortality episodes of lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias
minor) populations in and around Kenya, I conducted my
Bachelors research in Kenya investigating the presence of intestinal
parasites and their effects on flamingo health and mortality.
I was awarded the Ede and Ravenscroft Academic Prize for Excellence
to fund this.
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During
my Bachelors I also participated in the Erasmus exchange
programme, studying part of my degree at the University
of Joensuu, Finland, where I was able to experience ecological
studies, including winter ecology fieldwork, in an alternate
environment.
I completed my MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity at the
University of Exeter’s Cornwall campus, near Falmouth.
For my Masters thesis, I investigated the brood parasitism
of marsh-nesting redwing blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)
by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in Manitoba,
Canada. Recent hypotheses have proposed that females may
indicate their genetic quality to males by the intensity
of blue-green pigment, biliverdin, deposited in the eggshell
and thereby promote a higher allocation of paternal care.
Since the cowbirds reproductive success depends on the crucial
choice of which host to parasitise I investigated whether
brood parasites exploit this signal to determine host quality
and therefore use egg colour as a potential cue for host
selection.
Since completion of the Masters I have also worked as a
Research Technician in the evolutionary ecology lab at the
University of Exeter (Cornwall campus) providing research
support to a postdoctoral fellow, investigating the evolution
of insect genitalia using Drosophila. This was
a very different area to what I have previously experienced
and diversified my skill set by strengthening my lab research
skills.
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