David Whittle
My MSc research involves the use of non-invasive genetic sampling of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to calculate abundance in a local population. Previous camera trapping studies have confirmed the presence of foxes in Durham woodland, and this project is aimed at calibrating the indices of abundance produced from these studies. It will involve the use of a variety of remote hair collection traps in order to determine the best method for collecting viable samples, which will allow DNA extraction and fingerprinting to enable ID of individuals and mark-recapture analysis, without the need for invasive sampling methods that could influence the condition or behaviour of captured individuals.

My previous ecological experience includes a summer of biodiversity monitoring in the rainforests of Guyana with Operation Wallacea in 2012, which really got me interested in the fieldwork side of ecology.

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Position:  MSc Student in the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Supervised by: Dr. Philip Stephens, Dr. Adrian Brennan
Membership: Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research (BEER) Centre, 
                        
Contact Details: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences,
                             Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.
                             Email: [email protected]

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Education

2014-present            MSc by Research, Durham University, UK
2011-2014                BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences with Biology and Anthropology, Durham University, UK