Alanna-Jo McCallum
Alanna-Jo McCallum
MRes student
MRes: Metabarcoding analysis of the microbiome in Scottish freshwater pearl mussels using third-generation nanopore sequencing.
Supervisor: Dr Victoria Pritchard; Dr Bernd Hänfling, Dr Barbara Morrissey
I am a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Glasgow (2023). Throughout my academic journey, I have always had a profound passion for wildlife and the scientific research.
My experiences span tropical expeditions to the Amazon basin, where we conducted research on the diversity of bats, amphibians, and Lepidoptera species in protected rainforest ecosystems. Additionally, I collaborated with esteemed disease ecologists to address challenges related to residual malaria transmission in mainland Tanzania.
In my most recent role as a field assistant at the University of Glasgow, I collected and analysed mosquitoes which contributed to the MosquitoScotland project. This initiative aims to model alterations in mosquito habitats in response to climate change and conduct disease testing.
Growing up on the west coast of Scotland, I developed a strong connection to marine and freshwater habitats and their biodiversity. This background led me to pursue an MRes opportunity at UHI. With significant fieldwork experience, I am eager to enhance my molecular skills and utilize the advanced laboratory facilities at An Lochran. My current research focus involves exploring the microbiome of endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussels, with the aim of pioneering a new conservation approach that could potentially aid in their population restoration across Scotland.
Research interests:
- Disease ecology: understanding zoonotic disease dynamics and intervention strategies.
- Tropical biodiversity: field work and ecological studies of Lepidoptera species
- Conservation and management of Ecosystems
- Statistical modelling for population dynamics
Research project highlights:
- “Metabarcoding Analysis of the Microbiome in Scottish Freshwater Pearl Mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera, using Third Generation Nanopore Sequencing” (MRes Thesis)
Past projects :
- “Residual Malaria Transmission: What factors are influencing bed net use across mainland Tanzania?” (Honors Project)