I hold a PhD from Cardiff University, where I used molecular approaches to reconstruct island food webs, to assess the impacts of introduced Aldabra giant tortoises on Mauritian island ecosystems. The tortoises were previously introduced to Mauritian islands as proxies for extinct Mauritian giant tortoises in a rewilding experiment. I characterised the dietary preferences of the tortoises, and endemic Telfair’s skinks and Pink pigeons, using DNA metabarcoding to measure the impact of tortoises on plant communities and the wider food web.

Since finishing my PhD, I have worked with RSPB Cymru on managing Welsh landscapes to benefit nature, and with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to restore island ecosystems in Mauritius. Whilst working in Mauritius, I also focussed on capacity building with future leaders in conservation.