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Harnessing microbiology to tackle global challenges

Professional headshot photo of Dr Gabrielle Davidson

Dr Gabrielle Davidson

Lecturer in Ecology / Evolutionary Biology / Genomics

Research themes:
Education and Teaching
Evolutionary Interactions
Microbial Community Interactions
Contact details:
gabrielle.davidson@uea.ac.uk
Part of

Biography

I am a lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia. I am a molecular ecologist, behavioural ecologist and comparative psychologist with research interests in the ecology of gut microbiome variation in wild animals, and the development and evolution of cognition across species.

I completed a PhD (2014) at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge investigating the intelligence of wild birds of the corvid family (crows, jackdaws, rooks, jays). Next I was a senior post-doc at University College Cork working on an ERC-funded project on the evolutionary ecology of cognition in wild birds (Great tits, Parus major) (2015-2019). I was awarded an Isaac Newton Trust and Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellowship at the University of Cambridge (2019-2022) to conduct independent research on the interplay between the gut microbiome, environment and cognition in wild birds. I was awarded a Junior Research Fellowship at Wolfson College and took on the role of the president of the Science Society.

My current research focuses on the environmental and social determinants of individual differences in gut microbiome and how the gut microbiome impacts host cognition across heterogeneous environments. My group manages long-term monitored population of great tits and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and implements the use of Radio Frequency Identification technology integrated into nest boxes and feeders to autonomously measure cognition and behaviour in the wild.

My research has:

  • Developed novel field paradigms using custom autonomous devices to measure cognitive and behavioral variation in hundreds of free-living birds
  • Uncovered gut microbiome variation linked to suites of host phenotypes and fitness in wild birds and freshwater molluscs
  • Identified dietary impacts on gut microbiome and cognition in wild birds
  • Described environmental and life-history factors influencing wild bird gut microbiota
  • Produced seminal papers on theoretical frameworks for microbiome-mediated behavior and developed methodological toolkits for inferring mechanisms and causal relationships in complex wild systems

I love communicating science and engaging with public audiences on wild animal behaviour and conservation, and provide several talks to wildlife groups across England, offer bird ringing demonstrations, and participate in BioBlitz programs. I am passionate about education, and have contributed lectures in behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology, comparative cognition, research methods and statistics.

I am a British Trust for Ornithology bird ringer, a member of the British Ecological Society, Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, Cambridge Philosophical Society and the Cambridge Canoe Club.

My group is inclusive of all races, genders and sexualities. I aim to apply practical solutions to achieve a diverse, accessible and inclusive environment across academia, and I am open to learn more about the difficulties of under-represented groups.