Louisa Mamalis
T&S Lecturer

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Leeds where I studied Environmental Science and began to developed broad interest in the worlds systems. I developed a particular interest in conservation biology which culminated in a project assessing the abundance and diversity of bird species in mangrove forests in relation to human activity in Tanzania. Following this I completed an International Masters in Applied Ecology at the Universities of Poitiers (France), Coimbra (Portugal) and Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). My dissertation explored the impact of soya and cattle ranching on the distribution of the greater rhea using citizen science data. 

I then moved to the University of York to complete a PhD in the biology department with Colin Beale, Kate Arnold and external partners at the Wildlife Conservation Society in Cambodia. My project focused on the conservation of the giant ibis, a Critically Endangered bird present in Cambodia, using big data sets to explore threats and conservation solutions including satellite and camera trap images, as well as habitat and bioacoustic data. 

I have recently taken up this new role as an Associate Lecturer in Ecology within the biology department at the University of York. 

I have a passion for teaching and have been involved with teaching in different forms throughout my whole academic career from schools outreach and volunteering with the Wildlife Trust to teaching assistant work at the University of York. I have particular interest in fieldwork to explore, experience and understand the earths systems and its species. My previous academic experiences have equipped me with the knowledge and understanding to complement modules within the department and my enthusiasm for the subject aims to engage and inspire students.   

I will be teaching on a range of modules, including Becoming a Bioscientist: Experimental Design & Communication, Life on Earth and Becoming a Bioscientist: Core skills as well as ecology field courses. I will also be completing tutorials within this role, and these will reflect my own research experiences and interests. Including conservation biology, tropical ecology, use of big data and fieldwork whilst ensuring the students gain the necessary core skills required for future applications. 

I will also be supervising masters student projects based at Tropical World this year looking at themes such as impacts of visit numbers on species stress levels and meerkat dominance behaviour.