Professor Nia Whiteley
Head of School / Professor in Zoology (Aquatic)
Affiliations
Contact info
Room: Room 527, 4th floor Brambell Building
Email: n.m.whiteley@bangor.ac.uk
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.
- 2010
- Published
Characterisation of myosin heavy chain gene variants in the fast and slow muscle fibres of gammarid amphipods
Whiteley, N. M., Magney, J. L., McCleary, S. J., Nia, S. K., El Haj, A. J. & Rock, J., 1 Oct 2010, In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 157, 2, p. 116-122Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 2009
- Published
Probing marine Gammarus (Amphipoda) taxonomy with DNA barcodes
Oliveira Costa, F., Henzler, C. M., Lunt, D. H., Whiteley, N. & Rock, J., 10 Sept 2009, In: Systematics and Biodeiversity. 7, 4, p. 365-379Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Linking functional molecular variation with environmental gradients: Myosin gene diversity in a crustacean broadly distributed across variable thermal environments.
Rock, J., Magnay, J. L., Beech, S., El Haj, A. J., Goldspink, G., Lunt, D. H. & Whiteley, N. M., 15 May 2009, In: Gene. 437, 1-2, p. 60-70Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Effects of salinity on rates of protein synthesis and oxygen uptake in the post-larvae and juveniles of the tropical prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man).
Intanai, I., Taylor, E. W. & Whiteley, N. M., 1 Mar 2009, In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A - Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 152, 3, p. 372-378Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
The effects of temperature on ectotherm protein metabolism.
Whiteley, N. M., Fraser, K. P., Esterhouse, T. E. (ed.) & Petrinos, L. B. (ed.), 1 Jan 2009, Protein Biosynthesis. 2009 ed. Nova Science PublishersResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
- 2008
- Published
Environmental tolerances of Gammarid amphipods: Lessons from myosin heavy chain genes.
Whiteley, N. M., Rock, J., Magnay, J., Beech, S., El Haj, A. & Goldspink, G., 1 Jul 2008, In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A - Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 150, 3, p. S159-S160Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Minimal latitudinal variations in metabolic rate in temperate but not polar amphipod gammarids.
Rastrick, S. P. & Whiteley, N. M., 1 Jan 2008.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
- Published
Minimal latitudinal variations in the metabolic rates of temperate but not polar gammarid amphipods.
Rastrick, S. P. & Whiteley, N. M., 1 Jan 2008, 2008 ed. Unknown.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
- 2007
- Published
Phylogeography and environmental diversification of a highly adaptable marine amphipod, Gammarus duebeni.
Rock, J., Ironside, J., Potter, T., Whiteley, N. M. & Lunt, D. H., 11 Apr 2007, In: Heredity. 99, 1, p. 102-111Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Swimming alters responses to hypoxia in the Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccarii.
McKenzie, D. J., Steffensen, J. F., Korsmeyer, K., Whiteley, N. M., Bronzi, P. & Taylor, E. W., 1 Feb 2007, In: Journal of Fish Biology. 70, 2, p. 651-658Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review