Bio: James Burgon (PhD student)

James Burgon - NERC PhD studentship -
I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2011 with a BSc in Zoology. From there I went on to complete an MSc (with distinction) in Taxonomy and Biodiversity joint between Imperial Collage London and the Natural History Museum (London). Currently I am expanding upon my MSc research, a revision of the species diversity of Paramelania, a gastropod genus endemic to Lake Tanganyika. In the autumn of 2013 I will join the Elmer Lab on a NERC funded PhD studentship studying the genetics of colour, shape and local adaptation in European salamanders under the supervision of both Dr Elmer and Dr Mable. This will take an integrative approach, combining genomic, morphological and environmental data, to investigate the parallel evolution of colour pattern.

My research interests are varied but centre upon evolutionary questions surrounding speciation, the generation and maintenance of diversity, taxonomy and phylogenetics; especially in the context of adaptive radiations, parallel evolution and convergence. Taxa wise I am interested in amphibian and gastropod systems which show great diversity but are underrepresented in published literature. As well as this I have been involved in a number of biological studies in other fields with a strong emphasis on field research: invasive plant detection (Scotland, 2011); anuran reproduction and development (Trinidad, 2010); seabird diversity and nest surveys (Iceland, 2009) and antelope behaviour, aquatic plant diversity and bat diversity (Zambia, 2008).


Publications:
Burgon, J.D., Hancock, E.G. and Downie, J.R. (2012) An Investigation into the Amblyomma Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) Infections of the Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) at Four Sites in Northern Trinidad. Living World, the Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. 2012, 60-66.


Society Membership
The Linnean Society of London (Student Associate)
Systematics Association (Student)

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to new lab members!

New paper: Functional genetic basis of reproductive mode