I am a Scottish evolutionary biologist and vertebrate palaeontologist at the University of Southampton, England. I'm also an honorary fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. My research is focused on understanding major evolutionary transitions, and the how the vertebrate body-plan is radically transformed when adapting to new niches. This encompasses many fields, including biomechanics, comparative anatomy, neuroanatomy, and systematics (phylogenetics, taxonomy and nomenclature). 

I collaborate with researchers from across the globe, and I'm always excited to work with new people!

My two current active areas of research are: 

(1) The land-to-sea transition of marine crocodylomorphs. This focuses on the biology of Thalattosuchia (marine crocs 

that evolved flippers and a tail fin during the Age of Dinosaurs). From their endocranial anatomy and sensory systems, to their evolutionary relationships and morphofunctional diversity. 

(2) The air-to-land transition within Columbidae (pigeons and doves). This focuses on the biology of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) and the Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria). From their locomotorary biomechanics, to their aberrant osteology.

I am a fellow of the Linnean Society of London, and a member of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).  I have Chartered Biologist status, registered by the RSB. I'm also a member of two IUCN Species Survival Commission groups: the Crocodile Specialist Group, and the Pigeon & Dove Specialist Group.

I am also have editor roles for several international scientific journals, including: Bionomina, PeerJ, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, and Zootaxa.