Hello. My name’s Iain.

I’m a doctoral student at Lund University , where I research how sensitivity to environmental pollution evolves, and teach (among other things) data science and statistics for biology students.

Background

I studied Evolutionary Biology as part of the Mobility European Master Programme in Evolutionary Biology (MEME) split between Uppsala University and the University of Montpellier . I focused my theses on sexual selection, first exploring how perceptual biases can shape sexual selection on body patterns in a group of freshwater fishes, and second compiling a meta-analysis of the strength of sexual selection in plant populations. I also completed a brief project on the evolution of thermal niches in protist species .

Previously, I studied Animal Biology at the University of Stirling where I became interested in evolutionary ecology and specifically applied applications of evolutionary/ecological theory. I wrote my dissertation on infection induced anorexia in the context of the effectiveness of fungal biopesticides to control an invasive moth species (Helicoverpa armigera).

Prior to my formal studies, I worked as a research assistant with the Cromarty Firth Fishery Board .

Skills

Over the near decade I have been in higher education, I’ve learned a thing or two. I’m a skilled quantitative scientist, with training in a broad set of widely applicable methods (statistics of all flavours, meta-analytical methods), as well as deep domain specific knowledge of ecological (entomological lab and field methods, population modelling) and evolutionary (quantitative genetics, phylogenetic comparative methods) approaches.

I have a keen interest in programming (profficient in R and Python, knowledge of Lua, Javascript and Julia), and have specific in-depth knowledge of tools such as Quarto and Typst.

I’m a passionate teacher, and ground my teaching in evidence-based pedagogical approaches. My goal is not to convey a list of facts, but to give students a framework by which they can make discoveries and connections on their own. I’ve had the immense privilage to rewrite and teach an introductory statistics course during my PhD in Lund, where I was able to implement these techniques.

PhD Progress

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