Rachel McConnell
I have a particular interest in understanding what factors influence species’ success in cities and may contribute towards conserving biodiversity in a rapidly urbanising world. My PhD project is part of the IAPETUS 2 Doctoral Training Partnership, and aims to investigate the impacts of urbanisation on the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). In collaboration with the University of Glasgow, blue tit diet and condition will be investigated along an urban gradient from the centre of Glasgow to an oak forest near the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE). DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples and subsequent bioinformatic approaches will elucidate the taxonomy of diet items, while morphometric data will be analysed to determine blue tit condition. Prior to my PhD, my MSc research focused on the conservation management of breeding waders. During the project, I investigated the impact of predation on breeding wader productivity on a reserve in Northern Ireland and developed a site-specific conservation action plan in collaboration with the RSPB. Position: PhD Student in the Department of Biosciences
Supervised by: Dr. Andreanna Welch and Dr Davide Dominioni Memberships: Conservation Ecology Group (CEG), Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research (BEER) Centre Contact details: Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE Email: [email protected] Education
2020 - Present PhD Biosciences, Durham University 2018 - 2019 MSc Ecological Management and Conservation Biology, Queens University Belfast 2013 - 2017 BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Studies, Queens University Belfast |
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