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Role
PhD Student
Specialisms
Tropical seabirds
Population ecology
Conservation
Contact details

Institute of Zoology
Zoological Society of London
London
NW1 4RY

Understanding the impacts of egg harvesting of Sooty Terns in Seychelles to reverse population decline.

Thalissa's work addresses the conservation challenge of declining seabird populations, specifically the Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) in Seychelles, due to egg harvesting. Despite being the most abundant seabird species, the Sooty Tern has experienced a significant decline, with the broader meta-population dropping by approximately 60% since 2015. Through population modeling, demographic analysis, and studying factors such as diet, nesting, vegetation, and environmental changes, Thalissa's research aims to quantify the impacts of egg harvesting and other drivers like habitat modification and invasive species. This research will guide effective conservation strategies for protecting these seabird colonies.

Sooty Tern in Seychelles
Professional history

2024-present: PhD student, Institute of Zoology, ZSL and University College London

2023-2024: Account Executive, Deliberate PR

2022-2023: Junior Account Executive, Deliberate PR

2022: Environmental, Social, and Governance Researcher Internship, Ecoslops

2022: Master of Science in Human Sciences & Evolution, University College London (First Class Honours)

Publications

Inch, T., Nicoll, M.A.C., Feare, C.J., and Horswill, C. (2024) ‘Population viability analysis predicts long-term impacts of commercial Sooty Tern egg harvesting to a large breeding colony on a small oceanic island’, Ibis, 166(4), pp. 1296-1310. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13326