WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE - I AM A SKELETAL BIOLOGIST
My training is in biological anthropology (the study of human biology in a social and evolutionary context) with expertise in bone and tooth biology. However, I am just generally interested in skeletal biology in any living or extinct vertebrate - I think it is extraordinary that tough tissue can be very metabolically active and plastic.
Get in touch via e-mail if you want to collaborate, are a student keen to join my research group, or have AOB questions! I moved from London to Canberra, Australia almost 5 years ago - if you're an academic looking to make the move as well, do not hesitate to ask me questions. I'd be more than happy to help!
RESEARCH
Conceptually, I want to understand human biology in a social framework. Humans today have extremely fragile bone. Outside of genetics, this poor bone quality is determined by a series of environmental and social factors. I study these in past populations to better understand skeletal plasticity in different contexts so that we can predict and improve human bone health in the future.
Technically, I study the micro-anatomy and cell structures of bones and teeth both in humans and animal models to reconstruct the underlying skeletal physiology and growth dynamics. My chief interest is the relationship between skeletal physiology and behaviour. I love peering down a microscope, and interpreting micro-structures (especially viewing them on a big screen and discussing them with students)!
BRIEF BIO
2020-ongoing: Senior Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, Australian National University, Australia
2019-2022: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Australian Research Council (ARC) Fellow, Australian National University, Australia
2019-ongoing: Treasurer, Australasian Society for Human Biology, Australia
2016-ongoing: Hard Tissue Histology Lab leader, Australian National University, Australia
2016-2019: Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, Australian National University, Australia
2016-ongoing: Honorary Research Associate, University of Kent, UK
2015-2016: Research Assistant, Williams and Bassett Molecular Endocrinology Group, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, UK
2014: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
2014: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, University of Kent, UK
2014: Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, University of Kent, UK
2014: PhD in Biological Anthropology, Mahoney Lab, Human Osteology Lab, University of Kent, UK
2012-2014: Osteologist, Kent Osteological Research and Analysis, UK
2010-2013: Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Kent, UK
2010: Bachelor of Science 1st Class Hons, University of Kent, UK
2009-2012: Assistant Osteologist, Kent Osteological Research and Analysis, UK
2008-2013: Laboratory Demonstrator, University of Kent, UK
IF YOU ARE AN EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER VISITING MY SITE TODAY
While my journey has had ups and downs (I wrote about it for Nature), completing a PhD and working towards a research career has been one of the most fulfilling adventures I've ever experienced. If you are struggling to secure funding, find a job, or are going through a tough manuscript/ project/ peer review comments - stick it out! Tomorrow is another day, just surround yourself by kind people, and be kind to yourself.
My training is in biological anthropology (the study of human biology in a social and evolutionary context) with expertise in bone and tooth biology. However, I am just generally interested in skeletal biology in any living or extinct vertebrate - I think it is extraordinary that tough tissue can be very metabolically active and plastic.
Get in touch via e-mail if you want to collaborate, are a student keen to join my research group, or have AOB questions! I moved from London to Canberra, Australia almost 5 years ago - if you're an academic looking to make the move as well, do not hesitate to ask me questions. I'd be more than happy to help!
RESEARCH
Conceptually, I want to understand human biology in a social framework. Humans today have extremely fragile bone. Outside of genetics, this poor bone quality is determined by a series of environmental and social factors. I study these in past populations to better understand skeletal plasticity in different contexts so that we can predict and improve human bone health in the future.
Technically, I study the micro-anatomy and cell structures of bones and teeth both in humans and animal models to reconstruct the underlying skeletal physiology and growth dynamics. My chief interest is the relationship between skeletal physiology and behaviour. I love peering down a microscope, and interpreting micro-structures (especially viewing them on a big screen and discussing them with students)!
BRIEF BIO
2020-ongoing: Senior Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, Australian National University, Australia
2019-2022: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Australian Research Council (ARC) Fellow, Australian National University, Australia
2019-ongoing: Treasurer, Australasian Society for Human Biology, Australia
2016-ongoing: Hard Tissue Histology Lab leader, Australian National University, Australia
2016-2019: Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, Australian National University, Australia
2016-ongoing: Honorary Research Associate, University of Kent, UK
2015-2016: Research Assistant, Williams and Bassett Molecular Endocrinology Group, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, UK
2014: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
2014: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, University of Kent, UK
2014: Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, University of Kent, UK
2014: PhD in Biological Anthropology, Mahoney Lab, Human Osteology Lab, University of Kent, UK
2012-2014: Osteologist, Kent Osteological Research and Analysis, UK
2010-2013: Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Kent, UK
2010: Bachelor of Science 1st Class Hons, University of Kent, UK
2009-2012: Assistant Osteologist, Kent Osteological Research and Analysis, UK
2008-2013: Laboratory Demonstrator, University of Kent, UK
IF YOU ARE AN EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER VISITING MY SITE TODAY
While my journey has had ups and downs (I wrote about it for Nature), completing a PhD and working towards a research career has been one of the most fulfilling adventures I've ever experienced. If you are struggling to secure funding, find a job, or are going through a tough manuscript/ project/ peer review comments - stick it out! Tomorrow is another day, just surround yourself by kind people, and be kind to yourself.