Julianne Zelda Kiely
- The Open University
- The Macroevolution of Leaf Venation
- Dr Luke Mander, Dr Tom Stubbs, Dr Kadmiel Maseyk, Dr Sidonie Bellot
To research the evolutionary development and increased complexity of venalin within leaves since the Carboniferous, with a specific focus on the evolution and formation of anastomoses, and the developmental pathways which led to them.
Prior to my PhD I completed a BSc and MRes in Palaeontology at the University of Portsmouth. I have also worked for the last two years as a Scientific Illustrator and Palaeobotanical Consultant.
I wanted to pursue my interest in palaeobotanical research and my research skills in certain areas which were covered my this PhD, including collections management, histological slide preparation, basic coding and phylogenetics.
While I did not explicitly choose CENTA as my funding body, instead applying because I was interested in the PhD, I’ve actually been incredibly happy with the support which CENTA provides its students.
I think that having a deeper understanding of research, especially in a full-time capacity, will be incredibly useful in furthering my competence as a researcher. Furthermore the possession of a Doctorate opens up more avenues for jobs in my field after I graduate.
It also gives me the opportunity to work as a full time researcher, which I am incredibly happy about.
