Nia Whiteley

Room: Room 527, 4^th floor Brambell Building

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01248 388080

Web: ResearchGate, Google Scholar

I graduated in Zoology from Hull University in 1982 and spent a year as a trainee in the Science Reference Section, British Library, London, before embarking on a PhD in comparative physiology at the University of Birmingham (1984-88). My PhD work on the physiological responses of lobsters to aerial exposure was followed by several postdoctoral posts investigating molecular control of muscle growth in shore crabs (1988-89), physiological/metabolic responses of freshwater crayfish to natural fluctuations in environmental variables (1989-92), and the molecular/ physiological responses of the giant Antarctic isopod to life at temperatures close to freezing (1992-95). A research visit to the University of British Columbia, Canada, enabled me to collaborate on a project studying ion exchange mechanisms in salmon during seawater acclimation (1995-96), and led to a short term project on stress responses in Antarctic fish (1997) in the Dept of Physiology, Birmingham. After completing a temporary lectureship at the School of Biological Sciences, Birmingham,  I moved to Biological Sciences at Bangor in 1998, was appointed Senior Lecturer in 2010, and Reader in 2016.

My research focuses on the physiological and metabolic responses of aquatic organisms to environmental change, including underlying mechanisms and ecological implications. I use laboratory and field based studies to assess the physiological capacity of crustaceans to cope with environmental challenges, such fluctuations in temperature, salinity, O₂ and CO₂ levels. I specialise in studying acid-base balance, ion regulation, respiratory gas exchange, and protein turnover at different levels of biological organisation. I also examine the metabolic costs associated with such changes, and the repercussions on growth and life history traits. My work on the molecular regulation of muscle function in crustaceans, has led to an examination of changes in muscle genotype in amphipod gammarid crustaceans distributed along natural thermal gradients. Collaborative projects have examined physiological responses of marine invertebrates to elevated CO₂ and warming, and the energetic costs of physiological adjustments to elevated CO₂ and salinity (Saloa Project). We are currently using transgenerational studies to investigate the energetic costs associated with osmoregulation in marine amphipods.

Energetic responses of marine crustaceans to multistressors

Studies will examine the resulting effects of changing environments on the ability of marine crabs to respond to climate change. Species and populations from habitats with differing experiences of environmental change will be exposed to differing salinities, temperatures, and CO₂ levels to examine their energetic consequences. Subsequent effects on growth and feeding will also be considered in order to assess whether there are any repercussions on fitness.

Transgenerational responses of gammarid amphipods to changing environments

The influence of highly fluctuating vs constant environmental conditions on parents and offspring will be examined in the widely distributed coastal gammarid amphipods.  The influence of the parental and grand parental environment on the offspring will be investigated to examine whether amphipods from highly fluctuating environments are better suited to the conditions predicted in a future ocean, and whether these capabilities can change over several generations.