daniel nicholson

* Field based research into reptile populations using a self designed Visual Injection Elastomer mark recapture technique. * Invasive species trapping (Snakes, Rats and Centipedes), using drift fencing, mammal traps and snake funnel traps. * Working alongside Christmas Island National Parks to maintain captive breeding populations of critically endangered species. * Conducting surveys for presumed extinct species, with CINP.

Continuing my role as a Herpetologist as well as undertaking research for my MRes degree at the University of Leeds. My research project was independently designed, carried out and analysed. For a significant portion of my research period, I was unsupervised and entirely independent in the field. Upon the arrival of Operation Wallacea, four weeks into my research, I once again became a mentor and supervisor for five undergraduate students.

In the Summer of 2011, I took part in a 6 week expedition the the Cayo Cochinos. The purpose behind this expedition was to do research and collect data for my undergraduate dissertation. My undergraduate dissertation was based on Boa constrictors and focused specifically on their Morphology and Distribution. A great deal of my time was spent collecting physical and environmental data such as: Body Lengh, Weight, Sex, Humidity, Temperature, GPS. During my 6 week study period I gained a great deal of experiance handling Boa constrictors as well as data collection, project planning and tropical field work. A secondary part of my project was working along side other dissertation students and also gained a great deal of experiance working with a Honduran Iguana Species (Ctenosaura melanosterna) including: Blood samples, Morphological data, Taking blood samples, Radio telemetry and Capture methods. I was employed by Operation Wallacea the year afterwards as a Herpetologist staff member (See above).

As a research assistant I was stationed in a remote, rain forest region of peninsular Thailand as part of a team of four researchers as well as numerous Thai rangers. I was responsible for the Herpetological aspect of the research headed by PhD candidate Luke Gibson. Herpetological research involved reptile (diurnal and nocturnal) diversity and abundance comparisons between mainland sites and fragmented islands produced 20 years ago by the flooding of a dam. The main study species were flying lizards (Draco sp) numerous skink species as well as water monitors (Varanus salvator), tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) and terrestrial geckos. I was also strongly involved with the other aspects of the research season, notably: Small mammal trapping and processing – morphometrics and blood sampling. Ant trapping and collection. Setting up and maintenance of camera traps to capture medium/ large mammals.

* Working with the ZSL and the Dominica Forestry, Wildlife and Parks department to assist the conservation of the critically endangered Mountain Chicken Frog (Leptodactlyus fallax) also known as the "Crapaud". * The project is in three parts: * An in-situ captive breeding facility in the botanical gardens of Roseau: to help boost species numbers. * Field research, population surveys and chytrid swabbing: to help monitor the remaining wild populations and chytrid prevalence. * Outreach: to help make the local residents (and internationals) aware of the plight of the Crapaud and how to help conserve them.

* As a Science Leader my role with BE was to help educate the Young Explorers (16 * 22 years of age) about the biology of the Rainforest. Topics including: conservation, tropical ecology, herpetology, field ecology and jungle living methods. * I was also involved in: * Organizing the day to day scientific projects/expeditions for the programme. * Amphibian biodiversity sampling. * Mega fauna camera trapping. * Mentoring and managing a small group (12) of teenagers in difficult/dangerous conditions. * Expedition logistics. * Butterfly Trapping. * Invertebrate sampling. * Geographical mapping. * Animal tracking.

* My 4th year with Operation Wallacea saw a change of site within Honduras and a slight change of role, while one of my roles was to educate and assist numerous university and school students. I was also responsible for the monitoring of numerous amphibian and reptile populations and the removal of venomous snake species from camp sites. * My work included: * Handling numerous species of non- venomous and venomous (with a snake hook) snake species. * Relocation of venomous species. * Monitoring reptile and amphibian abundance's. * DNA sampling and morphological data collection for venomous snakes. * DNA, Chytrid and morphological data collection for numerous amphibian species including numerous endangered and endemic species. * Undergraduate project supervision and mentoring.

NERC London Doctoral Training Programme, initially based at UCL. Topic as yet undecided.

Activities and Societies: Student Rep during my 2nd year

The course consists of several modules: - Introduction to GIS for Ecologists. - Community Ecology - Population Dynamics - Advanced Statistics - GIS and the Environment (Advanced GIS) - Biodiversity and Conservation Skills 1+2 and a module on Bat Ecology.