I have started my PhD at the NIOO-KNAW in February 2018. This PhD project focusses on the epigenetics of animal personality, in particular DNA methylation and its influence on exploratory behaviour in great tits (Parus major). By using established selection lines of fast and slow exploratory birds and several long-term natural populations, we aim to identify genetic and environmental control mechanism underlying genome-wide DNA methylation and possible functional consequences of (candidate) gene methylation for natural variation in great tit personality.
Work experience:
February 2018 – present: PhD-student at the NIOO-KNAW
September 2016 – Januari 2018: Soil consultant and ecologist at Antea Group (the Netherlands)
Education:
September 2013 – March 2016: Master of Science, Environmental Biology, specialisation programme Behavioural Ecology (Utrecht University)
September 2010 – June 2013: Bachelor of Science, Biology (Utrecht University)
Internships and theses:
May 2016 – August 2016: Research on the effect of brood size on DNA methylation and great tit (Parus major) personality (NIOO-KNAW).
November 2015 - December 2015: Thesis on the effect of epigenetic changes on the behaviour of animals in natural populations (NIOO-KNAW)
January 2015 – November 2015: Research on the environmental conditions influencing snowmobile trail use by coyotes (Canis latrans) within lynx (Lynx canadensis) home ranges at Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada (Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources)
September 2013 – June 2014: Research on the effect of intervention on the abnormal behaviour of ex-laboratory chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) (Stichting AAP - Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals)