Dr. Amy MacLeod

EDUCATION

2012 – 2015      Ph.D. on the evolution and conservation of Galapagos marine iguanas, Technische Universität Braunschweig, DE.

2009 – 2011      Master’s degree with Distinction, in Biological Science by Research (specialisation in Ecology and Evolution), University of Amsterdam, NL.

2007 – 2008      Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Secondary Science with Biology, University of Cambridge, UK.

2002 – 2005      Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours in Zoology with Animal Ecology, University of Wales, Bangor, UK.

 

EXPERIENCE

06/16/ – Present Guest researcher, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin.  Developing project to improve marine iguana population monitoring.

11/14 – 06/16   Post-doc,Technische Universität Braunschweig. Assisting with a project to predict the effects of climate change on European reptiles.

06/14 – 10/14    Guest researcher, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin.  Undertaking a short-term project on the effect of feral cat predation on the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands.

12/14 – present Part-time Editor (remotely based) for Scribendi editing service, Canada.  Editing and proof-reading documents in English, including scientific articles, website text and student essays.

12/13 – 02/14    Cover (substitute) Teacher, Hays Education, UK.  Teaching (mainly Science) in a variety of state schools in the North-West of England. Role included delivering lessons and some lesson planning.

03/12– 05/15     Ph.D. student, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany.  Undertaking molecular research to investigate the conservation status and population genetics of marine iguanas from the Galápagos Islands.

01/12 – 03/12    Cover (substitute) Teacher of Science, Hays Education, UK.  Teaching Science in a variety of state schools in the North-West of England.

09/11 – 11/11    Observer, Behavioural Responses of Australian Humpback whales to Seismic Surveys, University of Queensland, Australia.  Performing land and boat-based behavioural observations and data analysis on migrating humpback whales.

06/11 – 07/11    Tropical Biology Association Field course, Kibale National park, Uganda.  Developing skills for field work in tropical rain forest conditions.

12/10 – 06/11    Research Intern, Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Netherlands.  Conducting a research project with marine mammals in captivity in order to explore the effects of noise exposure.

05/10 – 12/10    Researcher, in collaboration with Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON).  Designing and undertaking a research project which focussed on the health and connectivity of populations of the natterjack toad, in Amsterdam.

04/10                Tropical Marine Biology field course, Curacao.  Developing skills for marine biology field work and undertaking a short research project

09/08 – 06/09    Teacher of Biology, the Derby High School, Bury, UK.  Teaching Biology and Science to high school students (11 – 16) at an urban comprehensive school.

09/07 – 06/08    Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Science with Biology, University of Cambridge.  Training during the PGCE included teaching Science (at GCSE) and Biology (at GCSE and A-Level) at two state-maintained schools.

09/05 – 06/06    Laboratory Technician, Bespak, Kings Lynn, UK.  Performing chemical analysis to monitor safety of pharmaceuticals.

06/05 – 08/05    Research Volunteer, Colobus Trust, Kenya.  Treatment of injured animals and collection of data for field studies regarding reintroduction of monkeys in Kenyan national parks. Liaising with local community and running workshops for Kenyan students.

07/04 – 08/04    Volunteer at Inti Wari Yassi wildlife refuge Chapare, Bolivia.  Working principally with caring for and rehabilitating native primates and birds in a small locally run initiative, as well as assisting in local forest conservation.

09/03 – 07/04    University Exchange scheme, Oregon, USA..  One year exchange between Bangor and Oregon State Universities.

01/02 – 08/02    Group Activity Leader, Entabeni Education Centre, South Africa.  Designing and delivering environmental education workshops at a rural residential education centre. Leading outdoor pursuits, teaching, and supporting the centre’s work on conserving endangered cranes through education and research.

 

SKILLS

German language – Currently B1 (intermediate) level, actively learning.

Spanish language – A2 (basic) level.

ICT skills – Highly computer literate. Extensive experience with the Microsoft Office package, Adobe Photoshop, IBM SPSS Statistics, ArcMap and various specialist scientific software.

 

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Presenter at scientific conferences in the UK, Hungary and the USA. Extensive travel in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, North and South America, Australia, and Europe. PADI qualified (advanced) SCUBA diver with 40+ logged dives. Volunteer for the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam annually from 2009 – 2015.

 

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Travel, photography, cycling, music, film and literature.

 

REFERENCES

Available on request