Paddy Brock

PhD Student

Curriculum Vitae:

2008–present: PhD Student, Institute of Zoology & University of Leeds.
2007–2008: MRes Systematics, Imperial College & Natural History Museum.
2005–2007: Biology Teacher, Bedford School.
2002–2005: BA Biological Sciences, Oxford University.
.

Research Interests:

I'm interested in describing and analysing immunity from an ecological perspective. Immunity can be costly and may compete with other life-history traits for resources. Understanding the nature and plasticity of such trade-offs is of particular relevance to the Galapagos sea lion, which is simultaneously threatened by a fluctuating food supply and disease transfer from domestic dogs. These threats may interact within individuals through a trade-off between investment in immune responses and energy stores. In this case, pathogen pressure could affect sensitivity to starvation and food availability could affect the chances of a disease outbreak.

My previous work includes: mtDNA analysis of diving beetles (Dytiscidae) to gauge the influence of habitat diversity on their radiation; the use of nuclear markers to assess the potential contribution of the dried fungi collection at Kew Gardens to GenBank; an analysis of rates of cranial evolution in ground squirrels (Xerinae) in the context of phylogeny; and a study of the ontogeny and adaptation of the colouration of an Amazonian toad (Bufo typhonius).
.

Publications:

Brock, P. M., Döring, H. & Bidartondo, M. I. (2009) How to know unknown fungi: the role of a herbarium. New Phytologist 181: 719-724. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02703.x
.

Supervisors:

Dr. Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse (IOZ)
Prof. Bill Holt (IOZ)
Dr. Simon Goodman (Leeds)
.

Funding:

I'm funded by NERC with the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St. Andrew’s University as a case partner, and receive additional funding from the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)..
.