Profile
Alex Seeney
PhD student at the University of Stirling, Scotland
My CV
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Education:
The Perse School, Cambridge (1995-2006); The Royal Veterinary College, London (2006-2010); Queen Mary University, London (2011-2012); The University of Stirling (2014-present)
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Qualifications:
BSc, MSc
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Work History:
Imperial College London (2012-2013)
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Current Job:
PhD student
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About Me:
I’m a PhD student at the University of Stirling.
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Read more
I’m an ecologist studying for a PhD at Stirling University in Scotland. I’m studying how invasive alien plants affect insects we find both on riverbanks and in the water, and how fish use these in their diet. In my spare time, I love playing hockey and also teaching myself to play the guitar (badly!) I also spend time teaching other students who study related degrees (like ecology or biology), which I think is a great opportunity to pass on knowledge but also to learn from those around you.
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Read more
I study several small rivers and streams in Scotland which have invasive non-native plants growing on their banks. These plants (Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed) compete with our native plants for food and light, and completely change how these habitats look. I’d like to know how these plants affect the insects and fish that we find in these rivers.
This is one of the rivers I work in, with lots of Himalayan balsam, which is one of the invasive non-native plants I study:
Here are some photos of some of the organisms I find in and around the rivers I work in.
Brown trout:
Mayfly:
Stonefly:
Caddisflies (these are really cool, as some of them build little cases to live in!):
Damselfly:
Crane fly:
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My Typical Day:
I’m writing up my thesis at the moment, so a typical day involves sitting in the office and drinking a lot of coffee!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d love to use the money to continue my research and give other young scientists an opportunity to be involved.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Intuitive, empathetic, motivated
What did you want to be after you left school?
When I left school, I wanted to be a vet - I've always loved animals and thought that this would be a great way to do something I loved whilst also doing something good for others.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not serious trouble, no. I could be a bit cheeky at times and forgot to get my homework done in time here and there, but we all do that.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
At the moment, I really like a southern rock group called Blackberry Smoke.
What's your favourite food?
I'd probably have to say pizza, although you can't beat a good homemade chilli!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I'd like to be better at sports, be able to deal with stress a little better, and to worry about what other people think of me a little less.
Tell us a joke.
Two cows are grazing together in a field. One cow says to to the other - "So, are you worried about the whole mad cow disease thing?" The other replies - "Why would I be? I'm a horse!"
What don't you like about your current job?
I find it quite hard to socialise - my mind is always on work and I find I have very little time to step away from that and relax.
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