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Research

Research Interests

My research aims to explain diversity in animal reproductive traits, with emphasis on mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of sperm competition and sexual selection, particularly in mammals. I also have broad interests in the fields of behavioural and evolutionary ecology relating to reproductive strategies, life history evolution and social behaviour. Current projects include experimental and comparative studies of social competition and sexual selection. Multidisciplinary collaborations apply molecular and proteomics techniques to address evolutionary questions within these areas. I also collaborate with project partners on applied conservation problems.

Research grants

CASE Studentship: Quantifying ecological impacts and long-term sustainability of The Cheshire Beaver Project

CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST (UK)

October 2021 - March 2025

Evaluating a new approach to monitor the behaviour and welfare of zoo animals

CHESTER ZOO (UK), INNOVATE UK (UK)

December 2022 - February 2023

How is behaviour constrained within typical sex roles?

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

July 2020 - January 2024

Alice Clark Case award

CHESTER ZOO (UK)

October 2019 - June 2023

Case award for Emma Cartledge

CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST (UK)

October 2018 - March 2023

Female kin as allies and adversaries under social competition

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

March 2015 - December 2018

A proteomics approach to quantify adaptive variation in mammalian ejaculates

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

January 2012 - December 2014

BBSRC CASE award with GENUS PLC

GENUS PLC (UK)

October 2010 - September 2014

The decision to cooperate: kin recognition mechanisms in female house mice

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

March 2010 - March 2014

Sperm competition and adaptive variation in mammalian ejaculates.

LEVERHULME TRUST (UK)

October 2006 - October 2009

MUPs, MHC and mate choice in house mice.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

May 2004 - April 2008

Risk factors for EID of domestic animals

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (UK)

October 2006 - September 2008

Life history correlates of paternal care.

ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

July 2005 - August 2005

Evolution of paternal care in mammals: exploring plasticity of behaviour in relation to predicted costs and benefits.

ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

June 2005 - May 2006

Automatic monitoring and control of small mammals in large and complex spaces.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

April 2003 - April 2006

Exploiting Genomic Information: Strategies for Cross-Species Identification in Proteomics.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

January 2002 - September 2005

Rapid imaging, capture and measurement of rodent urinary scent marks for behavioural analysis.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

January 2001 - December 2001

    Research collaborations

    People's Trust for Endangered Species

    Research collaboration

    Genus

    CASE PhD studentship

    Chester Zoo

    CASE PhD studentships

    Cheshire Wildlife Trust

    CASE PhD studentships