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RESEARCH SUMMARY
My research interests lie in the ecology and evolution of fish behaviour, spanning both marine and freshwater ecosystems. More specifically, I use social fishes as model species to test the generality of hypotheses regarding the evolution of social and reproductive behaviours, such as conflict, cooperation and mating systems. I employ rigorous experimental approaches to address the ultimate reasons for behaviours, and supplement these with investigations of the proximate reasons using gonad histology, otolith microchemistry and enzyme immunoassay. My research focus also encompasses the impacts of climate change on the structure, functioning and maintenance of fish societies. Given the considerable background information that has been gathered on the social and reproductive behaviour of fishes, it seems apt to apply this knowledge in a manner that may help conserve them in the future. My research therefore draws on a wide variety of techniques to address pure and applied questions in behavioural ecology.
LIFE SUMMARY
After beginning life in London, UK, I graduated with a BA in Zoology from the University of Cambridge U.K. (1998-2001). I followed this up with a PhD at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia (2003-2007), advised by Philip Munday, Geoff Jones and Pete Buston. After completion of my PhD, I worked as a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University, Canada (2008-2010), in collaboration with Sigal Balshine. I am currently enjoying my second post-doctoral position at Boston University, USA, in collaboration with Pete Buston.
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