Meet the scientists!

The core of my research focuses on trying to predict the effects of environmental change (such as climate change) on animal populations, in particular by exploring how satellite data can be used to predict such effects.

A second angle of my research is devoted to carnivore conservation, which is developped through collaborations with the Serengeti cheetah project and the Tanzania Carnivore Centre (see http://www.tanzaniacarnivores.org/).

Carnivores have high economical, ecological and cultural values yet their conservation is challenging in the face of habitat loss and increased conflict with human populations.

My work consists in helping unveiling details about carnivore ecology that are still unknown (such as where they are, how they reproduce, or what they eat) in order to help their management and conservation. Can you identify the species below?

A typical day can involve analysing data, writing articles to explain what I found for other researchers to know what’s going on and what we do, writing grant proposals to get funding to develop my research (through e.g., employing research assistants or providing PhD studentships to students aiming to become researchers), so I spend quite some time in front of a computer

It also involves meeting with collaborators in the UK and abroad to develop new ideas or presenting my results in conferences and seminars.

Sometimes, it can also involve teaching to students in universities or explaining what I do at our education centre. And when I’m really lucky, it involves doing some field work and watching animals in their naturals settings

If I win, this would be because of students and schools supporting me- the least I can do is to come and say thanks. I think £500 should allow me to visit a lot of schools, and I think this would provide a fantastic opportunity to talk about what we do, how we do it, as well as presenting some of the fantastic animals we study.