David Bartholomew
PhD student

Profile

I am a PhD student at the University of Exeter funded by the NERC GW4+ DTP. I undertook my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Oxford, where I specialised in ecology and evolution. Following this degree, I completed my Master’s in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Exeter. My Master’s thesis investigated the effectiveness of electronic monitoring technologies in Peru’s small-scale elasmobranch fishery. Despite this, I have always been fascinated by tropical rainforests. My research now focuses on using plant eco-physiological traits to answer wider environmental and ecological questions. Through these techniques, I aim to understand the impacts of environmental change on wet tropical forests and how tropical trees respond to these changes across their different life history stages. I hope to improve the understanding of these hugely complex ecosystems and to help improve their long-term conservation.

Alongside my PhD research, I have developed many key skills attending courses on statistical modelling, programming and expedition planning. I have also taken an active role as a postgraduate teaching assistant, helping out on several modules including Biogeography and Ecosystems, Tropical Forests in a Changing World and Climate Change and its Impacts. I additionally have acted as an essay mentor for undergraduate students. I have been awarded postgraduate fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society. I also have been involved in setting up a series of public outreach talks, inviting field researchers to share their behind the scenes stories to the wider Exeter community.

Broad research specialisms:

Tropical Forests, Climate Change, Eco-Physiology, Water Dynamics, Carbon Dynamics.

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Biological Sciences 2015, University of Oxford, 1st class
MSc Conservation & Biodiversity 2016, University of Exeter, Distinction with Dean’s commendation

Contact details