Education

University of Warwick (2016-)

• Biological Sciences PhD 4YR: Biologically-based control of the varroa mite

Harper Adams University (2015-2016)

• Merit in MSc Entomology
• Royal Entomological Society Scholarship

University of Brighton (2012-2015)

• Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) 2:1
• Awarded alumni prize for greatest contribution to the school

Professional Experience (Recent - Past)

June - August 2014

Biochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany. Summer Internship.

I worked in the plant-aphid interaction group. My work focused on the role of natural enemies in the maintenance of pea aphid races. I worked independently; setting up field experiments, maintaining aphid cultures as well as monitoring and performing statistical analysis of aphid population dynamics in the field as well as the oviposition rates of natural enemies.

October 2014 – February 2015

University of Brighton, UK. PASS Supervisor.

Paid position as a Supervisor for the Peer Assisted Study Scheme (PASS), in which I have championed group learning and helped further students’ development and independent study at university.

January - March 2014

University of Brighton, UK. Research Field Assistant.


I helped out with the radio tracking of rehabilitated hedgehogs in an urban environment to better understand their survival pre, during and post hibernation. As well as performing fox trapping for the purpose of removing radio collars as part of a wider project assessing urban fox densities.

August 2013

Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI), University of Sussex, UK. Summer Internship.


I worked on behavioural studies with Apis mellifera, which involved marking and training bees to fly to a set location and decoding their waggle dances which followed. Also engaged with outreach at the centre and producing a presentation on pollinators and their importance. As well as attending research seminars and talks on hygienic behaviour and oil seed rape forage.

July 2012 – August 2012

Nanjing Zoo, China. Zoological Enrichment Team.

I gained various grants to help improve and educate local Chinese zookeepers and people around the importance of enrichment of animals in captivity through work in the zoo and through regional media. Also, I successfully helped redesign enclosures for Golden Monkeys, and made suggestions for further improvements regarding food scattering with substrate to facilitate foraging.

Outreach

June 2016

Stand at Mini-Beast Adventure Day

Took part in the Mini-Beast adventure day held at Dorothy Clive Garden. Over 300 people came to the two day weekend event. I managed an 'Introduction to Pollinators' stand with a fellow Harper Adams University MSc Entomology student answering questions about pollinators to the general public and inspiring children about entomology. It was one of the many events organised as part of the wider National Insect Week organised by the Royal Entomological Society.

April 2016

Soapbox Scientist

Took part in the first Entomology Conference for teenagers aged 14-18, with approximately 250 students attending. I was a soapbox scientist within the 'Careers and Soapbox Scientists' zone, talking about my experience with insects so far and why they're important and interesting, my hopes for the future and how entomology has a wide impact on society and the possible careers within it. Engaging children for the next generation of entomologists.