Dr Novella Franconi

Research Officer, Biosciences
Seminar Room - 138
First Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

I am a research data manager and an ecologist, with 9 years of experience in biocuration, database design and research data management, especially using PostgreSQL, and 10 years’ experience in mammal ecology and wildlife management in the UK, France and Italy, working with Universities, Research Centres, Governing Bodies, Wildlife Management & Conservation NGOs, and Protected Areas. Before joining Swansea University, I obtained a MSc in Biosciences at the University of Pisa (Italy) and a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Technology at the University of Siena (Italy), and worked for the University of Siena (Italy), the French ONCFS Institute, and the international data sharing project EURODEER.

I develop and manage relational databases for marine research data, including fish telemetry, abundance and morphological data, benthos and sediment data, passive acoustic data, seabird and seagrass monitoring data, and fisheries socio-economic data. My expertise is on data management, spatial relational database design & management, data sharing and reproducibility, PostgreSQL and SQL language, remote sensing, animal movements and behaviour, wildlife management & conservation.

Areas Of Expertise

  • Object-relational spatial databases
  • SQL language
  • Data management
  • Data sharing
  • Animal behaviour
  • Movement ecology
  • Remote sensing
  • Surveys

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

I currently teach in the 2nd year module BIO252 Ecological Data Analysis and in the 3rd year module BIO346 Professional Skills, covering data management, data standards and metadata description, FAIR data and reproducibility. Further teaching interests include database design and use, especially of spatial relational databases in PostgreSQL. Previously taught modules include field courses and professional modules in wildlife management and large animal capture techniques.

Research