Experience

Xelect Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Laboratory Manager

  • Aug 2017 - Present

  St. Andrews



The University of Edinburgh

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Oct 2015 - Aug 2017

  I investigated telomere length dynamics in both wild (Soay sheep on St. Kilda) and domestic (dairy cattle) mammals, with additional small projects in domestic pigs and wild roe deer. The aim was to understand the effects of early life conditions on changes in telomere length across individual lifespans, and to determine whether telomere length can be used as a biomarker to predict lifetime fitness and longevity. I was primarily involved in the laboratory work for these projects which involves… Show more I investigated telomere length dynamics in both wild (Soay sheep on St. Kilda) and domestic (dairy cattle) mammals, with additional small projects in domestic pigs and wild roe deer. The aim was to understand the effects of early life conditions on changes in telomere length across individual lifespans, and to determine whether telomere length can be used as a biomarker to predict lifetime fitness and longevity. I was primarily involved in the laboratory work for these projects which involves DNA extraction from blood samples, as well as two different techniques (qPCR and TRF) for determining telomere length. Show less



The University of Lethbridge

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• PhD candidate

  • Sep 2011 - May 2015

  University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Thesis title "Landscape genetics of a North American songbird, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)." Abstract – Understanding landscape influences on the spatial distribution of genetic variation in species is necessary for their successful conservation and preservation. This study investigated both rangewide and fine-scale patterns of population genetic structure of a small resident passerine to North America, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus).… Show more Thesis title "Landscape genetics of a North American songbird, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)." Abstract – Understanding landscape influences on the spatial distribution of genetic variation in species is necessary for their successful conservation and preservation. This study investigated both rangewide and fine-scale patterns of population genetic structure of a small resident passerine to North America, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). Microsatellite data revealed high levels of genetic differentiation across their geographical range, particularly in the west resulting from a combination of historical (e.g. glaciers) and contemporary (e.g. mountains) barriers. Cryptic genetic structure was also observed at smaller spatial scales. Populations in British Columbia are genetically isolated owing to its highly complex landscape, with gene flow restricted to low elevation valleys with sufficient forest cover. In Southern Alberta, not only is gene flow restricted to riparian corridors but it is also influenced by natural/ anthropogenic breaks within these continuous linear features as well as ecological zonation, suggesting that chickadees are dependent on habitat quality for dispersal. After three field seasons during my PhD (2012, 2013 and 2014), I personally processed 800+ birds from 53 species in North America, of which I personally banded and taken blood samples from the brachial vein and/ or feather samples for genetic analysis, from 500+ individuals.

• Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • 2011 - 2014

  Provided services in support of teaching student within the Department of Biological Sciences. BIO 3605 Conservation Biology, University of Lethbridge, Fall 2011. Supervisory Unit: Teaching assistant •assisted in moderating student class presentations •graded presentations BIO 3300 Evolution, University of Lethbridge, Spring 2012. Departmental Unit: Grading/ Tutoring •assisted in marking all student (2x) midterm and (1x) final exams as well as data entry into the… Show more Provided services in support of teaching student within the Department of Biological Sciences. BIO 3605 Conservation Biology, University of Lethbridge, Fall 2011. Supervisory Unit: Teaching assistant •assisted in moderating student class presentations •graded presentations BIO 3300 Evolution, University of Lethbridge, Spring 2012. Departmental Unit: Grading/ Tutoring •assisted in marking all student (2x) midterm and (1x) final exams as well as data entry into the school system •assisted in any student queries regarding exam grades •approximately 75 students BIO 3605 Conservation Biology, University of Lethbridge, Fall 2012. Supervisory Unit: Lecturer. •presented a 50 min lecture on the topic: invasive species •answered any student questions during and after lecture •approximately 50 students BIO 3300 Evolution, University of Lethbridge, Spring 2013 Departmental Unit: Lab Instructor. •prepared and presented computer/ classroom labs on a range of evolutionary topics such as natural selection, quantitative genetics, adaptation, phylogenetic trees, sexual selection, speciation, and biogeography. •3x one hour labs per week •assisted in student queries through email/ specified office hours •assisted in marking assignments and grade data entry into the school system •approximately 75 students BIO 1020; Diversity of Life, University of Lethbridge, Fall 2013. Two departmental units; Lab Instructor. •prepared and presented first year introductory labs in a range of topics including a general introduction to laboratory safety procedures followed by taxonomy, phylogeny, and the evolution and ecology of fungi, plant and invertebrate life histories. •trained students in a variety of techniques such as microscopy, scientific drawing, species identification and dissection skills •2x three hour labs/ week •assisted in student queries through email/ specified office hours •assisted in preparing/marking assignments and exams/ grade data entry •approximately 20 students per lab



The James Hutton Institute

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Graduate Student (MRes)

  • Sep 2010 - Sep 2011

  Dundee, United Kingdom Passed with Merit in MRes "Crops for the Future". Thesis project title "Novel methods in determining the genetic variation of farmland birds". Abstract: Agricultural intensification in Europe since the 1950’s, directed to increase crop production, has been accompanied by significant declines in farmland biodiversity. Although many groups of organisms have been affected, the extent of population declines observed in farmland birds has become a major conservation issue.… Show more Passed with Merit in MRes "Crops for the Future". Thesis project title "Novel methods in determining the genetic variation of farmland birds". Abstract: Agricultural intensification in Europe since the 1950’s, directed to increase crop production, has been accompanied by significant declines in farmland biodiversity. Although many groups of organisms have been affected, the extent of population declines observed in farmland birds has become a major conservation issue. Conventional analysis is insufficient to understand the causes of population decline because it fails to take account of changes in underlying genetic diversity, important for resilience in the face of environmental change. This study successfully utilised DNA sampled non-invasively from a common farmland bird, the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), in a number of molecular applications. Identification of an efficient and cost effective molecular methodology that can be easily and safely applied to rare farmland birds was achieved from this preliminary investigation. Subsequently, genetic diversity was assessed in two resident chaffinch populations using two molecular tools known for their widespread applicability; Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat markers (ISSRs) and the more conventional microsatellite markers (SSRs). Distinguishing between the two populations was achieved by population structure using microsatellites, and by genetic relatedness using ISSRs. These findings will be useful for future studies aiming to understand how declining populations of birds and other farmland organisms are responding at the molecular level to agricultural intensification. Show less



University of Dundee

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Student

  • Sep 2005 - Jun 2009

  Dundee, United Kingdom Graduated with a first class BSc (Hons) in Zoology. Honours thesis title: “A Study of the Response to Winter Stress in the Great Tit, Parus major” My Honours project was based at the Botanical Gardens (Dundee). This required me to set up mist nets at 5 sites of different vegetation types where I captured, ringed and processed the birds following the guidelines of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) i.e. recording the species, age, sex, weight, wing length and ring number.… Show more Graduated with a first class BSc (Hons) in Zoology. Honours thesis title: “A Study of the Response to Winter Stress in the Great Tit, Parus major” My Honours project was based at the Botanical Gardens (Dundee). This required me to set up mist nets at 5 sites of different vegetation types where I captured, ringed and processed the birds following the guidelines of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) i.e. recording the species, age, sex, weight, wing length and ring number. My study focused on the response of the Great Tit to changing environmental conditions during the winter season by measuring body mass as an indicator of fat levels. The two major winter pressures that birds face are decreasing day length and decreasing air temperature. After capturing 379 individual Great Tits which included data from previous years, and carrying out numerous statistical tests particularly Linear Regression and ANOVAs, I discovered that the Great Tit generally increase their body weight, and thus, body fat reserves to overcome these pressures. However, other factors were also involved in the varying weights of the individual birds over the winter period and these included age, sex and social status, behaviour but more importantly, predation. Show less