Dr Allan McDevitt, Principal Investigator

I am a lecturer in Molecular Ecology, starting my current post in the Atlantic Technological University, Galway in 2022. I was previously a lecturer in the University of Salford, UK from 2016-2022. After completing my BSc and PhD in University College Dublin (UCD), I was a well-travelled postdoc with positions in Ireland, Canada, Poland and Belgium. Much of my research focuses on evolutionary ecology with a genetics/genomics twist, and I have a particular interest in how landscape change (both natural and anthropogenic) alters the structure of populations over time and space. I am particularly fond of shrews, but also work on other mammals, elasmobranchs and amphibians. I am an Associate Editor of Biological Invasions and Mammal Review.

Email: allan.mcdevitt@atu.ie

Twitter: @ShrewGod

Google Scholar

Dr Samantha Ball, Postdoctoral Researcher

I am a postdoc researcher at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) investigating the use of non-invasive genetic techniques for surveying badger populations in Ireland, to inform ongoing TB vaccination programs with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). I am particularly interested in the application of ecological approaches in wildlife management and human-wildlife conflict mediation, in addition to the areas of mammalogy and wildlife disease. My PhD research at University College Cork (UCC), focused on the Irish hare population at Dublin Airport and utilised ecological survey methods to identify periods of increased strike risk (wildlife-aircraft collision) and to inform the implementation of airside management practices. While my research has predominantly focused on mammals, my fascination with wildlife extends far beyond small furry creatures, having worked with sea turtles, bees and even parasites!  

Email: samantha.ball@atu.ie

Twitter: @SammyHareBall

Niamh McGurn, PhD student

I graduated in 2023 from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) completing a BSc (Hons) in Applied Freshwater  and Marine Biology . I am currently  working on a PhD focusing on the genetic monitoring of Irish breeding waders. This PhD aims to collect genetic material from waders using non invasive methods to investigate genetic diversity, population health, migration patterns and dietary preferences in selected species. This PhD is part of the Breeding Waders European Innovation Partnership (EIP), which is funded  by the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and the European Union.

Email: niamh.mcgurn@research.atu.ie

Charlotte Nuyt, PhD student

I am a PhD student at Atlantic Technological University, contributing to the Marine Beacon project funded by the European Horizon program. My research aims to develop innovative environmental DNA (eDNA) protocols to mitigate bycatch of protected, endangered, and threatened Elasmobranch species in the Northeast Atlantic. I hold a MSc in Biology of Organisms and Ecology from UCLouvain, Belgium, where I first cultivated my interest in sharks through my thesis on the bioluminescence of the kitefin shark! Following this, I worked as an intern at the Institute of Marine Research in Tromsø, Norway, where I studied the population genomics of the spurdog stock in the Northeast Atlantic. I then worked as a laboratory technician, focusing on benthos taxonomy. Overall, I am particularly interested in using genetic tools to investigate the impacts of anthropogenic pressures on marine ecosystems to better understand and monitor them!

Email: charlotte.nuyt@research.atu.ie

X: @CharlotteNuyt

David Smyth, PhD student

I am an Irish Research Council Funded PhD student in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway. My research focuses on the conservation the Lesser Horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), looking at how variables in habitat composition, diet and interspecific competition can affect the species in Ireland. This research uses invertebrate recording, habitat analysis, camera trapping and DNA metabarcoding of non-invasive samples. My academic background is in Environmental Science and Wildlife Conservation. Prior to my PhD, I worked in the medical device industry in various roles. I am also a Director on the board of the Native Woodland Trust. 

Email: david.smyth@research.atu.ie

Twitter: @David_Smyth_eco

Instagram: @David_Smyth_eco

Rachel Coleman Horgan, PhD student

I am an Irish Research Council funded PhD student in Atlantic Technical University (ATU), Galway. I am investigating the skate and ray communities along the West coast of Ireland and bycatch monitoring using species distribution modelling, eDNA surveys and genomic techniques. I completed an MSc in Marine Conservation in the University of Aberdeen, during and my undergraduate in Microbiology in Trinity College, Dublin.   Prior to my PhD studies, I worked as a fisheries research assistant, aquaculture operative, as well as a project manager in the tech industry.

Email: rachel.colemanhorgan@research.atu.ie

Twitter: @Rachel_C_H

Samirah Blaauw, PhD student (Co-supervisor)

I am an IRC Enterprise Partnership Scheme Scholar doing my PhD at the South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford. Working with the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS), my project focuses on the development and optimisation of DNA tools for the conservation and management of the European otter (Lutra lutra) and American mink (Neovision vision) in Ireland. I’ve always had an interest in wildlife and conservation genetics, and got my Bachelor’s in biology and medical laboratory science (with a specialisation in forensic biology) at Avans University in the Netherlands. My BSc graduation project was done in Melbourne, Australia, and focused on the detection of parasites from faecal samples from local wildlife such as dingoes and foxes. I obtained my MSc degree in Cell and Molecular Biology at Wageningen University (also in the Netherlands), and my thesis there was on the intergenerational effects of ethanol studying the model organism C. elegans. I’ve also done an internship at the Rotterdam Zoo looking at the genetic differentiation of the subspecies of the Asian elephant. meaning that I’ve worked with everything ranging from small to (very) large mammals, and even parasites and worms! 

Email: samirah.blaauw@postgrad.wit.ie

Twitter: @Samirahsaurus

Jake Jackman, PhD student

I completed my BSc studying Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology at the University of Salford in 2018. I decided to remain in Salford to study my MSc in Wildlife Conservation which I started in September of 2019. I have an innate fondness of wildlife with a particular fascination with fish. During the course of my MSc, I have developed a deep interest in the field of eDNA and its applications for wildlife conservation and monitoring. For my MSc project, I am analysing eDNA metabarcoding data to determine patterns of fish biodiversity in the Ducke Reserve, Amazon. The results will be compared to more traditional "catch and see" methods of biodiversity monitoring to assess the efficacy and application of eDNA metabarcoding to Neotropical fish. 

Email: J.Jackman@edu.salford.ac.uk 

Twitter: @JMJackman27 

Matthew O'Donnell, PhD student

I have been a student at the University of Salford since 2010, first for my Zoology BSc, then to complete my Wildlife Conservation MSc. Now I’m back to tackle a part-time PhD focused on monitoring tropical herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) starting January 2020. I’m also a full time Curatorial Assistant of herpetology at Manchester Museum, where I’ve been since 2014, maintaining the live collection. But why amphibians and reptiles!? Well I’ve been obsessed with these much-maligned animals for most of my life, and what better way to repay those years of joy and fascination than to dedicate my work towards conserving them and the habitats in which they live. Specifically, my project is looking at eDNA metabarcoding as a conservation tool for monitoring endangered herpetofauna, to accurately detect and map distributions of rare species to better inform conservation interventions. This project is a collaborative endeavour, bringing expertise from Manchester Museum, Salford University and many colleagues from across the world!

Email: Matthew.odonnell@manchester.ac.uk 

Twitter: @Matthew0Donnell