Research
The time is now.
Part of my life’s goal is travel our incredible planet, looking for adventure; experiencing the beauty nature has to offer and where I can research, record and conserve the incredible fauna and flora I find. Here on the project’s page you can see my past, present and future projects I am or have partaken in.
Areas of Interest for Research
My interests include animal behaviour, with a particular fascination in inter- & intraspecies communication, most notably interactions within the marine environment. I have a keen interest in marine biodiversity and ecosystems with an agenda of the conservation of marine habitats and the species inhabiting them. Research in ecology and population dynamics of tropical coral reefs is my main focus, in order to better understand the intricacy of these biodiverse and crucial aquatic environments.
Terrestrial interests include herpetofauna studies looking at polymorphisms in tropical frog species, with attention to Dendrobates, Agalychnis and Polypedates spp. and the evolution of extreme animal physiology observed in taxa such as Anura and Serpentes. Additionally, an unquenchable fascination with the life histories and diversity of Gekkonidae (most notably Phelsuma spp.) and their toe-pad nano-structures and colourful patterning. is a further area of research I intend to study.
Marine Ecology and Evolution Project, Masters by Research - RHUL, Cape Eleuthera (Bahamas) 2024
This spring I’m off the tropical paradise of the Bahamas. Planning on conducting a month-long research trip, I’ll be collecting a wide variety of reef-associated fishes from a range of families from the nearby coral reefs. Using a range of sampling methods and analytical techniques I hope to identify the presence of UV reflectance markings in the species I catch, and by using a well practised statical analysis identify if particular life history traits are driving the presence of the UV reflectance markings, utilised as a secret form of communication. If you fancy reading more about my up-and-coming research click the link above.
Tropical Rainforest Project - RHUL, Malaysian Borneo (Sabah) 2022
During the later part of summer 2022, I visited the tropical rainforest of Borneo, situated along the Kinabatangan River, in the Malaysian-governed region of Sabah. I was stationed at the Danau Girang Field Centre, which is operated by Cardiff University (as well as other NGOs). I had the privilege of engaging in a wide array of research activities. From documenting the diverse fauna inhabiting the vicinity of our field centre to conducting bird mist netting to assess tropical bird species richness and composition, my work was varied and enriching. I also had the opportunity to track Critically Endangered pangolins (with a licensed researcher) using VHF tracking devices, set up light traps to record flying invertebrate species and observe mammal activity to estimate population levels of observed species. Additionally, I delved into investigating the impact of agricultural activity on primary and secondary forests, drawing from local ecological knowledge (LEK) and experiences to understand broader environmental implications.
Throughout these endeavours, I diligently maintained a field study notebook to record species sightings and behavioural observations. Prior to this, I researched territoriality, agonism, and intruder identification in the Tropical Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa latipes), and presented my initial findings to a scientifically informed audience, detailing the sampling methods and techniques employed in data collection. It was a fulfilling experience that broadened my understanding of tropical ecosystems and their conservation needs
Marine Research Project - Operation Wallacea, Honduras (Utila) 2022
RESERVA YLT Technical Advisor - Run for the Rainforest (5k Virtual Run) (Summer 2021)
