معرفی
Dr. Kirsty MacLeod is a Lecturer in the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at Bangor University, where she conducts research in behavioural ecology, focusing on animal behaviour, life history, and physiology, particularly in reptiles. Her work integrates endocrinology, ecology, and evolutionary biology to understand how environmental stressors shape individual and transgenerational responses.
- PhD in Zoology, University of Cambridge (2011–2014)
- BSc in Zoology, University of St. Andrews (2005–2009)
- Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Research Fellow, Lund University (2019–2022)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Pennsylvania State University (2016–2019)
- Research Associate, University of Cambridge (2014–2016)
Her research spans maternal effects, stress physiology, environmental change (especially winter warming), and social behaviour. She investigates how maternal glucocorticoids influence offspring phenotype, the gut microbiome in lizards, and transgenerational plasticity in response to predation. Her work often uses reptilian models, particularly fence lizards, to explore eco-physiological and evolutionary questions.
Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on stress-mediated effects across generations, hormonal regulation of physiology, and the ecological consequences of anthropogenic change. She employs meta-analyses, experimental approaches, and comparative methods across diverse taxa. Her 2023 review on social stress highlights integrative frameworks in behavioural and eco-evolutionary contexts.
Dr. MacLeod is actively involved in academic service, including supervising PhD students and serving as an examiner for postgraduate projects. She has contributed to discussions on sustainable academic ecosystems, advocating for postdoctoral workforce reform.
- Examiner, Pool Frog Genetics - MRes (2024)
- Examiner, Female Competition and Maternal Effects in House Mouse (2025)
She maintains an active research lab, with a personal website providing further details on her projects and team. Her work is supported by international collaborations and has been published in high-impact journals such as Nature Ecology & Evolution, Molecular Ecology, and Journal of Animal Ecology.
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