Dr Michelle Davis

Profile

Biography

Michelle started her higher education at the University of Reading where she received a BSc (Hons) Zoology. While working as an aquarium technician at the University of Sheffield, Michelle decided she wanted to pursue a career in research and decided to follow her interest in conservation genetics which had developed during the final year of her undergraduate. This led to her completing her MSc Conservation Biology at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Michelle then joined Edge Hill University for the first time in 2015 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and PhD student where she worked on the population genetics of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia).

After receiving her doctorate in late 2019, Michelle remained at Edge Hill as an associate tutor throughout the pandemic, taking a lead role in the organisation and implementation of online assessments.

In 2022, Michelle moved to Writtle University College as a Lecturer in Animal Science (Genetics). This post revived her earlier love of vertebrates and she brought this back with her when she returned to Edge Hill as a Lecturer in Ecology in 2023.

Research Interests

Michelle’s principle areas of research interest focus around ecological genetics and conservation, although her original background is in animals, she is happy to be working with any species provided she can work on it’s genetics.

Teaching

Michelle’s teaching focuses around themes of conservation, ecology, genetics and zoology. In addition to this she provides stats and R support for PGR students and leads the BSc (Hons) Biology programme. 

She is module leader for:

• Genetics and Evolution (SCI1116)
• Zoo Conservation & Animal Behaviour (SCI2017)
• Biodiversity Planning & Legislation (MCM4003)

Enterprise

Michelle is a long-time member of the Ecological Genetics Group (EGG) and is part of the committee. She regularly attends the EGG annual meeting and the annual meeting of the British Ecological Society either as a SIG representative for EGG or as a speaker.