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Ellie has a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Wales, Bangor, spending the second year at Oregon State University. She completed her Master’s thesis at Western Washington University, where she also spent two years as a teaching assistant on Zoology, Ecology and Herpetology courses. She has spent three years working at Jersey Zoo and ZSL London Zoo, and spent six months on a conservation expedition with GVI in Ecuador. Ellie is also a member of BIAZA’s Record Keeping Group.
Master’s Thesis: Foraging Behaviour in Gambelia wislizenii, the long-nosed leopard lizard, in Harney county, Oregon, available on Research Gate
Louise is the Programme Leader for BSc Veterinary Nursing. Louise is a Registered Veterinary Nurse who qualified at Myerscough College in 2003, and went on to gain her Advanced Diploma in 2011. Louise has an interest in Soft Tissue Surgery and Anaesthesia and spent 10 years working alongside a Soft Tissue Surgeon in a busy Referral Hospital.
Louise runs in her free time to keep fit and enjoys walks with the family. She also enjoys travelling and socialising with family and friends.
Heather studied BSc (Hons) Zoology at Aberystwyth University, and then completed her Registered Veterinary Nurse training. Whilst working at UCR, Heather achieved a variety of Teaching and Assessing qualifications. Heather has over ten years of experience working in the Veterinary industry, including as Head Veterinary Nurse which she loved. Heather joined Reaseheath College in 2016.
Heather has a cheeky cat called Chip.
Alex has a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Liverpool, and went on to work for the university as a research technician and animal technician. Alex spent 5 years as a mammal keeper at the WWT Martin Mere, looking after Asian short clawed otters and Eurasian beavers, as well as working with their herd of English Longhorn Cattle and many avian species. Alex gained a PGCE whilst lecturing in Animal Studies at Myerscough College. Alex is currently the Principal Examiner for the animal management science and wildlife pathways for City & Guilds.
‘Artist in residence’ for the conservation charity Wild&Free, with all funds from sales going directly to help animal conservation and rehabilitation. Also enjoy music, playing percussion in a band. Enjoy travelling and eco/adventure tourism. Enjoys birdwatching and walking his lurcher Maisy.
Clare is a Lecturer and Course Manager in Animal and Equine Science. Clare is a Veterinary Surgeon, and graduated from Liverpool University in 2011. She has a particular interest in small animal medicine, and is currently enrolled in a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Feline Medicine. Clare has spent time working within the Charity Sector, and previously worked at the PDSA as part of the Petwise Programme – delivering education, preventative healthcare advice and support in order to promote the wellbeing and welfare of cats.
Clare is interested in fitness and has completed several charity walks, she done Tough Mudder twice and completed a fire walk. Clare has also volunteered as Counsellor at London International Youth Science Forum.
Louise gained a BSc (Hons) in Animal Health and Welfare at Harper Adams University. In addition, Louise has previously lectured in Agriculture at Reaseheath. Louise has spent a number of years working within the Agriculture sector specialising predominantly in dairy cow health, breeding and reproduction. Louise has her own award-winning milking herd, Distinctive Holsteins which has been established for the last 8 years. Louise is Course Manager and Advanced Practitioner for Access to HE.
Olly holds a BSc (Hons) in Zoology with Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Liverpool. Following this, Olly gained 11 years of experience in zookeeping at Knowsley Safari, working with large carnivores and ungulates. Olly holds an MSc in Conservation Biology from Manchester Metropolitan University, completing his MSc research project on faecal detection of livestock predation in South African carnivores. Olly also spent 3 years as a Research and Conservation Team member at Knowsley Safari.
Kevin holds an MSc in Conservation & Biodiversity with the University of Exeter, and a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science from Bournemouth University. Prior to his tenure with UCR, Kevin had spent time both in the UK and overseas undertaking research activities involving snake ecology and conservation, and later served as an ecological consultant, specifically focusing on the European adder (Vipera berus). More recently, Kevin has established a range of long-term projects monitoring local populations of grass snake (Natrix helvetica) and great crested newts (Triturus cristatus), the latter for which he holds a class licence to survey for scientific, education and research purposes. Since joining UCR in 2009, Kevin has completed a PGCE with Glyndwr University and has been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) since 2012.
Palmer, K. (2005). Lacerta (Zootoca) vivipara (Viviparous or Common lizard): alternate green colour phase. Herpetological Bulletin, 92, 30.
Palmer, K. (2010). Conspicuously coloured tails in Vipera berus: a case of caudal tail luring? Herpetological Bulletin, 110, 36-37.
Palmer, K. (2011). Vegetation structure at basking sites of the adder Vipera berus: Implications for site management. Herpetological Bulletin, 117, 25-27.
Becx holds a BSc in Animal Behaviour and MSc Behavioural Ecology and, before returning to academia in a lecturing capacity, spent 7 years working in the eco-tourism industry in Southern & Eastern Africa, predominantly Zambia, where she was involved in multiple community education programmes and several conservation projects. Becx has led both horse back and driven safaris and headed up ridden snare removal and anti-poaching teams in the upper Zambezi River systems.
With a specific personal interest in the behaviour and ecology of African mammals, Becx teaching and research interests are in behavioural ecology, captive animal behaviour & welfare and practical applications of behaviour for conservation. Becx also has a special interest in the behaviour, ecology and conservation of wild equids.
Whitefield, B., Nevison, C. & Raisin, C. 2004. The ‘peanut shuttle’: the effect of a feeding device on stereotypy and foraging behaviour in captive female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Proceedings of the British Journal of Animal Science.
Becx plays polo and has three ponies, all ex-racehorses which she has retrained herself.
Vicki completed her PhD in woodland insect ecology and climate change at the University of Sheffield. Vicki also holds an MSc in Wildlife Management, in which her research focused on developing a novel method for sampling insect populations. Vickis research interests include conservation and ecology, but particularly woodland and urban environments and invertebrate ecology. Vicki has completed fieldwork in the UK on a range of species and on dolphins and turtles in Kenya.
Senior, V.L., Botham, M. and Evans, K.L., 2021. Experimental simulations of climate change induced mismatch in oak and larval development rates impact indicators of fitness in a declining woodland moth. Oikos, 130(6), pp.969-978.
Senior, V.L., Evans, L.C., Leather, S.R., Oliver, T.H. and Evans, K.L., 2020. Phenological responses in a sycamore‐aphid‐parasitoid system and consequences for aphid population dynamics: a 20‐year case study. Global Change Biology.
Vicki enjoys getting out into the countryside with her dog and photography.
Clare holds a BSc (Hons) Welfare of Animals (with Veterinary Nursing) from Myerscough College, MSc Animal Behaviour from Manchester Metropolitan University, and PGCE from University of Central Lancashire. Clare then completed her PhD in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Northampton, with her thesis on the development of animal personality assessment tools for rabbits. Prior to arriving at Reaseheath Clare worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Elephant Welfare Group, based at University of Nottingham. Clare has experience as a zookeeper, zoo trainer and presenter, and more recently managed the research, education and conservation activities at Twycross Zoo. Clare has also worked in domestic animal rescue, and lecturing roles at college, university and postgraduate levels.
Clifford-Clarke, M. M., Whitehouse-Tedd, K., & Ellis, C. F. (2022). Conservation Education Impacts of Animal Ambassadors in Zoos. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 3(1), 1-18.
Ellis, C.F., McCormick, W. and Tinarwo, A., (2017). Analysis of Factors Relating to Companion Rabbits Relinquished to Two United Kingdom Rehoming Centers. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 20(3), pp.230-239.
Oxley, J.A., Ellis, C.F., McBride, E.A. and McCormick, W.D., (2018). A survey of rabbit handling methods within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, pp.1-12.
Presentations:
• 2020 – Exploration of rabbit personality traits – no convergence found between two tools, International Society for Applied Ethology, UK and Ireland Regional Meeting, University of Nottingham, UK
• 2018 – Exploring rabbit personality, RSPCA / UFAW Rodent and Rabbit Welfare Group, Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
• 2018 – Zoo Keepers Develop Qualitative Behaviour Assessment Tool, BIAZA 20th Anniversary Research Conference, Paignton Zoo, UK.
• 2017 – Exploring consistencies in rabbit behaviour in response to human interactions, Postgraduate Researcher Conference, University of Northampton, UK.
• 2017 – Evaluation of environmental enrichment for meerkats, Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers, Colchester Zoo, UK.
Clare previously sat on BIAZA’s research committee and reviewed papers for the Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research (JZAR), Applied Animal Behaviour Science (AABS) and Animal Welfare journal.
Clare loves to get involved in citizen science projects (e.g. Zooniverse) and is out walking with her dog as often as possible.
Hannah completed her Veterinary Nursing Diploma and worked as a Veterinary Nurse for 8 years. Hannah qualified as a Clinical Coach during her time in practice, and started working with students. Hannah then taught Vet Nursing for 5 years at South Staffordshire College, where she completed Teacher training, Assessor and IV qualifications. Hannahs role at UCR is focused on recruiting Veterinary Practices to accommodate student placements, completing training practice inspections, giving Clinical Coach training, and assessing student nurses throughout placement.
Hannah owns a horse and loves to go horse riding. She also plays in a netball team, and loves running and sporting activities.
Lilly completed her BSc in Equine Science at University Centre Reaseheath, and her MSc in Equine Behaviour, Performance, and Training at University Centre Sparsholt. Lilly is currently completing her IMDTB Level 5 Canine Analysis and Understanding of Behaviour.
Lilly has worked with dogs in different roles over the last 10 years, conducting training and behavioural modification across a variety of dog breeds, ages, and roles, and has been riding and working with horses for 14 years in different roles, from groom to competition worker, rider, and trainer. Lilly presented her work on Sports Psychology at UKESC 2020.
Lilly is a musical theatre and film buff, and has a love of learning and aims to continue her own education in different areas.
Daniel completed Bsc in Animal Management at the University of Derby and is now working towards his MSc in Conservation Biology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Daniel is also a Member of the British Herpetological Society and works as a Red List Assessor for the IUCN, and is currently working on a project to reassess all of Mexico’s reptile species. Daniel previously worked as a Reptile Keeper at Chester Zoo for a number of years and has worked closely with many Critically Endangered species and European breeding projects as well as a couple of reintroduction projects.
Lucianna completed her MVetPhys in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Writtle University College in 2019, and is a member of Member of NAVP and RAMP. Lucianna is currently a registered and practicing Veterinary Physiotherapist and also working towards her PGCE.
Sophie completed BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science at Harper Adams University, gaining a 1st class degree with her dissertation studying the effects of maternal blood and saliva cortisol level on neonatal lamb behaviour. Sophie is a Member of BSAS. Sophie has extensive experience with ruminants, and worked as a Research Assistant on Harper Adams APAS unit, running trials for companies such as AHDB and DeLaval.
Sophie spends all her spare time training her own working gun dogs and sheep dog.
Bella completed Bsc(Hons) Biology at Manchester Metropolitan, and MRes in Environmental Science and Ecology at The University of Sheffield. Bella worked as an Ecological Consultant for two consultancies, conducting and leading mainly Newt and Bat surveys for large clients such as HS2. Bella recently spent six months in Costa Rica, working in a nature reserve in the cloud forest, assisting university students with their research projects and conducting Owl surveys and camera trapping to monitor large cat populations. Bella also worked as a research assistant on a turtle conservation project on the Caribbean coast for three months, leading a team of volunteers to help monitor and conserve Leatherback turtles. bellas masters research project studied the effects of climate change on insect phenology.
Bella enjoys practicing yoga, walks in the countryside and travelling when possible.
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