Hot Birds Research Project
Honours Students
Caitlin Read
Investigating the interacting effects of air temperature and humidity on grey go-away birds
Supervisors: Prof. Andrew McKechnie
I have my parents to credit for my choice to study biology. Though I grew up in the busy city of Johannesburg, every chance we got my parents drove us to the bush to spend a few precious days away from the smog. My dad was always adamant on being the first car at the gate of the park before it opened, so these holidays always involved waking up at the crack of dawn and drinking tea in the back of the freezing car waiting for the gate to open and the adventure to begin. These experiences instilled a love for nature and biology in me from a very young age and it has stuck with me ever since. My journey into the biological field has been fuelled by this passion for understanding and safeguarding our biodiversity and ecosystems. My interests lie within conservation biology, climate change and a more recently established love for birds. My goal is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change and to participate in conservation projects that aim to protect our planet's biodiversity.
Contact
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FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
DST-NRF Centre of Excellence
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, 7701
South Africa
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Email: u20500603@tuks.co.za
Hannah Glanville
Supervisors: A/Prof. Susan Cunningham & Dr Shannon Conradie
Contact
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FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
DST-NRF Centre of Excellence
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, 7701
South Africa
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Email: GLNHAN001@myuct.ac.za
Growing up in South Africa and having parents who are biology teachers has given me no choice but to love nature. My passion for nature and social justice grew in high school but I was unsure of what to study. Luckily I landed up doing a BSc at UCT in biology and marine biology. My love for science grew and I realised that I was in the right space so doing my honours was the logical next step. I chose my honours project as it addresses a relevent issue in thermal biology and deals with climate change. Also, I love anything to do with dinosaurs and birds are the next best living thing.
As this is only the beginning of my research career, I am unsure of where I would like it to take me. I am grateful to have the opportunity to begin my research here. I would love to continue doing projects or working in spaces that address the human-nature conflict and propose sustainable solutions.