Harriet E. Nuttall
University of Birmingham
Project
A functional and ecological investigation into Cenozoic mammal evolution
Supervisors
- Dr. Stephan Lautenschlager
PhD Summary
Mammal fossils in the period surrounding the KPg boundary are scarce and often overlooked, particularly where phylogeny is not the focus of interest. This project aims to bring some of the post-cranial functionality of these enigmatic creatures to light, and develop a sense of how early true mammals were developing and adapting their locomotory mechanisms through a time of ecological flux and opportunity.
Previous activity
For the last six years I have been a veterinary surgeon, initially in mixed animal and then small animal practice in southern England, and I still occasionally do locum work in this field.
Why did you choose doctoral research?
I had a desire to build a big, long-term project from scratch and push forward the boundaries of scientific understanding, which was not something I had a lot of opportunity to do in my previous working role. The subject change was to fulfil an ambition that began during my undergraduate studies and never went away.
Why did you choose CENTA?
The CENTA DTP had a good track record of funding PhD research in the field and the application process was straightforward and comprehensible. I didn’t actually know about all the extra training and support CENTA provides as part of the DTP, but I’m glad of it now.
Future plans
At this stage, my plans are to continue in academia post-PhD and to try to further the study of mammalian evolution. Birmingham and CENTA are a fantastic place to begin that journey and have already created an exceptionally supportive environment for research.