Paul McNeil

Research Overview

Background

Previous to my post within the Walling lab, my PhD considered how environmental factors altered early development within Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and utilised an integrated approach to provide a more holistic appreciation of altered ontogeny. Specifically, novel environmental contaminants were assessed. 

Based within Professor Katherine Sloman’s lab at the University of the West of Scotland, I gained experience of fish husbandry, developmental biology, physiological testing and behavioural analysis. In addition, I was successful in obtaining a Travelling fellowship grant from the Company of Biologists to undertake a 6 week residency at Professor Katie Gilmour’s lab at the University of Ottawa where I gained experience of in vitro fertilisation techniques with fish and molecular analysis of HPI associated genes during Zebrafish embryogenesis.

My Undergraduate thesis (MSci) was conducted at the University of Glasgow where I explored how contemporary husbandry techniques could be applied to improve the welfare of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). This project specifically looked at the importance of conspecific interactions in mediating the expression of stereotypical behaviours in an isolated bull elephant.