About

I recently finished my MSc in Entomology (insects) and am on the search for lots of new species to record.  I am an Ecologist and have lots of experience doing different species and habitat surveys, mapping, and report writing.  I am really passionate about the environment and conservation, coming from an BSc Ecology background.  I specialise in insect and botanical studies and am particularly interested in climate-change and how it affects the world around us.

Think of this page like my online CV but you can also check out my LinkedIn page too! 

Education and Qualifications
  • MSc Entomology - Harper Adams University [Sept 2019 - Jan 2021] - won a competitive scholarship from the Royal Entomological Society
    • Thesis: Modelling the effects of climate change on past and future distributions of three UK bumblebee species supervised by Dr. Andrew Cherrill
  • BSc Ecology - Aberystwyth University [2016 - 2019] - best performance, RSB accredited
    • Dissertation: The potential of Rhododendron ponticum as a repellent against gastropod pests supervised by Dr. Dylan Gwynne-Jones
Experience
  • Assistant Ecologist [September 2021 – ], JBA Consulting, Peterborough
  • Seasonal Ecologist [March 2021 – August 2021], Jacobs, London
  • Bumblebees on the Mynd Ecology Support [2020 – 2021] – National Trust, Carding Mill Valley (Stepping Stones Project Shropshire Hills AONB)
  • Visiting Scientist [2019 – 2021] – Natural History Museum, London
  • Ecologist [Jun 2019 – Aug/Sept 2019] – Atkins, Epsom
  • University Society Secretary [2017 – 2019] – Aberystwyth University
  • British Science Week Volunteer [March 2018] – Aberystwyth University
  • Research Assistant for PhD students [2017 – 2018] – IBERS, Aberystwyth University

Skills
  • Field surveys
    • Aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates
    • Plant identification and soil classification
    • Different climates and diverse habitats, including aquatic
    • Field photography
    • Protected species surveys - bat, GCN (and eDNA), reptiles, small mammals
  • Laboratory skills
    • General laboratory skills
    • Insect identification - dissection and curation of specimens
  • Computing and Statistics
    • RStudio and SPSS 
    • Appropriate visualisations
    • Climate envelope modelling and species distribution modelling
    • Microsoft Office proficiency
    • QGIS and MAGIC Maps proficiency
    • Image analysis

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Bilberry bumblebees and the National Trust

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In my totally 'unbiased' view, these are the best UK  bumblebee  species.  Not only are they super fluffy like other bumblebees, they are adorably sized, and are found in one of my favourite habitat types;  upland heath. BB worker near Pumlumon (June 2018) I have only seen this species once and I was lucky enough to almost study their foraging behaviour for my MSc thesis.  Unfortunately due to the current situation (coronavirus again!) the MSc field work didn't happen.  However, I have just finished writing up the 2020 season report from volunteer data from Bumblebees on the Mynd so this is a perfect time to share this!  Here are some links to check out for these bumblebees and brain wash you all with their fluffiness.  I mean, look at their cute little red bums! Bumblebee Conservation Trust BWARS Steven Falk's Flickr BBCT Pollinating the Peak project by Rho Green at BBCT ( @BuzzingPeak ) Bumblebees on the Mynd National Trust project  @BumbleontheMynd  (see more below!
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Can species reintroductions be successful? The story of the lucky butterflies (part 1: Large Blues)

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