I am an evolutionary ecologist who conducts multi-disciplinary research into sensory systems, signalling, camouflage and life history.
My goal is to apply fundamental scientific knowledge to tackle pressing environmental and conservation challenges. To do so I use phylogenetic comparative approaches, observational and experimental field work, and computer vision techniques.
I am module coordinator for BIO342 Sensory Ecology – the science of how animals use information in their lives. I also teach on BIO229 Tetrapod Evolution about the key innovations that have led to the success of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and on zoology field courses.
• The role of species’ traits in long-distance dispersal to identify populations that may struggle to track our changing climate.
• The macro-evolution of animal weapons and ornaments.
• Animal camouflage evolution, mechanism and function.
• The role of interspecific signalling in primate evolution.
This module follows on from the introduction to vertebrates in the Level 4 Animal Diversity and Behaviour module, providing detail on form and function in vertebrates that spend all or part of their life cycle on land. Aspects of tetrapod behaviour, morphology and physiology will be considered in terms of adaptation and evolutionary constraint. Practicals will provide an introduction to the anatomy of birds and mammals by means of dissection, inference of the phylogenetic relationships between avian species, and an exploration of how beak morphology affects ecological niche in birds. Overall, students will gain an appreciation of the diversity of tetrapod types and an insight into the fundamental importance of metabolic rate in animals.
Delivery of both teaching and assessment will be blended including live and self-directed activities online and on-campus. This is a level 2 Biosciences module which is compulsory for zoology students and will be held from 2nd - 6th September 2024. Not available to Visiting - Exchange students.
Sensory Ecology aims to understand how organisms acquire, process and respond to information. It is a relatively new field within the biological sciences that draws on knowledge and techniques from a wide range of disciplines, beginning with the physics that defines the structure of information in the environment, through to the anatomy, neurophysiology, perceptual psychology and psychophysics that aims to understand how this information is sensed, processed and perceived. The subject also includes the behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology that seeks proximate and ultimate explanations for sensory systems. The module emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of studying sensory systems and aims to make links between different kinds of explanation.
April 2019 - Present
April 2016 - March 2019
June 2014 - March 2016
June 2012 - May 2014
October 2008 - May 2012
