The metabolic theory of ecology states that the rate at which an organism uses energy is a key driver of its ecology and can provide a framework for the study of its behaviour, life history, population dynamics, and impact on the ecosystem. Despite being an important aspect of a species’ biology, metabolic rate has not […]

Conductive polymer nanocomposites have become increasingly popular due to the combined flexibility and low cost. The presence of a conductive filler network, which is reconfigurable by applied strain, can be used in sensors. The materials to be developed are ideal for the biomedical field and wearable electronics where flexible non-invasive devices can be worn outside […]

Free ranging and wild animals sometimes experience challenges of physical wellbeing and optimal movement ability, but assessing if they are stressed in these situations can prove difficult. My research will be focusing on a population of Japanese macaques on Awaji Island, Japan that are born with very high incidences of limb malformations that cause physical […]

Preliminary data suggest a possible involvement of the melatonin MT1 but not MT2 receptor in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. The main objective of this short project is therefore to investigate at preclinical level whether the first selective MT1 receptor partial agonist to be synthesized (UCM871) can improve the bipolar symptomatology of the mice genetically […]

Choices allow us to navigate through physical space, to literally or figuratively problem-solve, to achieve goals. While this behavioural phenomenon is common across time and space for our human species, many other species make movement choices as well. The objective of my research is to assess how individual and social factors influence route choice decisions […]

Primary care plays a vital role in the health care system. Challenges in accessing primary care is a growing area of concern globally, with demonstrated negative patient and health system outcomes. Patient and physician preferences for both location and daytime/afterhours access differ. Determining the location of primary care practices that meet the needs of both […]

The arctic is warming at an accelerated rate, and this current speed of change is largely driven by industry. These changes to the oceanic conditions in the arctic are causing perturbations throughout the water column, causing disruptions throughout the food-web. These warming patterns are not consistent across the arctic; species persisting in these regions are […]

In the Arctic, environmental variability is currently increasing. Variability in sea ice dynamics, such as the timing of ice-off and concentration of sea ice, these in turn affect distributions and abundance of fish and invertebrate species. Thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), an Arctic-breeding seabird, are expected to be greatly affected by changes in sea ice dynamics, […]

In nature, a complex network of cellulose and hemicellulose interacts to provide plant cell walls with their mechanical strength, flexibility, and light weight. However, there is still little known about the relationship between the cellulose-hemicellulose interactions and how that influences the resulting mechanical properties of plants. In this work, we will use films thinner than […]

A decrease in ice cover in the Arctic ocean is allowing for increases in vessel traffic and noise in this previously undisturbed environment. The remoteness and reduction of species richness poses a challenge when trying to monitor Arctic ocean wildlife, but recent technological advances in animal tagging have supplied further opportunities for surveillance of Arctic […]

Manchuria, or Northeast China, was a migrant society in which the majority of the population came from Shandong and Hebei during the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. However, Manchuria’s migration history in the period of Manchukuo, a puppet state controlled by Imperial Japan from 1932 to 1945, is a […]

This project examines the international mobility of students in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the importance of international student retention for innovation. Applying a gender-based analysis and focusing on the Greater London area, the project explores the particular challenges that affect both female and male students’ transition to post-graduate work and permanent residency […]