Dr Hazel Nichols

Dr Hazel Nichols

Associate Professor, Biosciences
Academic Office - 202A
Second Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

My research uses a multidisciplinary approach to investigate how animal societies evolve, combining observational data with genetic, ecological and biochemical data. In particular, my work has focused on four interconnecting themes relating to the evolution of animal societies 1) exploring the evolution of cooperation 2) understanding the importance of inbreeding and inbreeding avoidance in cooperative species 3) investigating the role of scent  communication in cooperation and breeding decisions, and 4)  understanding the genetic structure of mammalian societies. I am achieving this via Fellowships from the Leverhulme Trust and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, working with colleagues at Bielefeld University, University of Pretoria and University of Cambridge.

I am also interested in applying genetic techniques to conservation, for example, I am working on 1) genetic diversity in species reintroductions, 2) understanding landscape use and consequences for genetic diversity and 3) understanding impacts of climate change on animal societies.

Personal website: https://hazelnichols.weebly.com/

Areas Of Expertise

  • Zoology
  • Behavioural ecology
  • Molecular ecology
  • Population genetics
  • Conservation genetics
  • Mammals
  • Social behaviour