Location: 112, Wheldon

Phone: ext.8706

e-mail: d.thornham@bangor.ac.uk

• PhD: Behaviour and physiology of the seven-spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata, in response to insecticides
  University of Edinburgh, 2006
• BSc: Zoology
  University of Glasgow, 2002

I contribute to the SBS undergraduate curriculum across seven undergraduate modules, including leading the Bioscience Skills, International Experience and Local Field Courses modules. I also teach on the Invertebrates, Tutorials and Dissertation modules. I have over 10 years of teaching and research experience at five UK Universities, and adding up the months, have spent about two years of this time on research expeditions in the tropical rainforests of Borneo & Trinidad. Tropical rainforests are amazingly interesting places that offer fantastic opportunities for discovery to the curious naturalist. I try to bring my experience into my teaching and help students at all levels realise the fascinating complexity of life at all spatial scales.

I offer dissertation projects on invertebrate biomechanics and ecology and supervise about ten student projects each year.

In my role as SNS International Officer, I coordinate the International Experience Placements, lead the associated modules, and act as a contact point for visiting international placement students.

My research focuses on the interactions between insects and phytotelmata - water bodies contained in plants. I use these microhabitats to explore principles around nutrient flow through ecosystems and to examine the complex biomechanics that are involved when living at the scale of insects. The physical world that we live in shapes the whole of evolutionary history but is often overlooked when looking at interactions between different species or the composition of animal communities. Focussing on relationships that are dominated by physical interactions allows us to understand more deeply how these universal forces have shaped life and contributed to its complexity and diversity.

I am willing to supervise a PhD

2021

• PublishedThe distribution and conservation status of the Dwarf Marsupial Frog (Flectonotus fitzgeraldi, Anura, Hemiphractidae) in Trinidad, Tobago, and Venezuela
  Smith, J., Thornham, D., Downie, R., Jowers, M., Auguste, R., Hoskisson, P., Beyts, C., Muir, G., Greener, M., Byrne, I., Lehtinen, R., Eyre, M., Rutherford, M., Murphy, J. C., De Freitas, M. & Rivas, G., 30 Jun 2021, In: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 15, 1, p. 36–56 20 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2014

• PublishedHow a pitcher plant facilitates roosting of mutualistic woolly bats
  Lim, Y. S., Schöner, C. R., Schöner, M. G., Kerth, G., Thornham, D. G., Scharman, M. & Grafe, T. U., 2014, In: Evolutionary Ecology Research. 16, p. 581-591
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• PublishedA Novel Type of Nutritional Ant–Plant Interaction: Ant Partners of Carnivorous Pitcher Plants Prevent Nutrient Export by Dipteran Pitcher Infauna
  Scharmann, M., Thornham, D. G., Grafe, T. U. & Federle, W., 22 May 2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 5, p. e63556
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2012

• PublishedSetting the trap: cleaning behaviour of Camponotus schmitzi ants increases long-term capture efficiency of their pitcher plant host, Nepenthes bicalcarata.
  Thornham, D. G., Smith, J. M., Grafe, T. U. & Federle, W., Feb 2012, In: Functional Ecology. 26, 1, p. 11-19
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2011

• PublishedAmphibia: Anura: Hylidae Scarthyla vigilans (Solano 1971): Range extension and new country record for Trinidad, W.I. with notes on tadpoles, habitat, behaviour and biogeographical significance.
  Smith, J. M., Downie, J. R., Dye, R. F., Ogilvy, V., Thornham, D. G., Rutherford, M. G., Charles, S. P. & Murphy, J. C., 2011, In: Check List. 7, 5, p. 574-577
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2018

• Size matters, but what you do withit also counts: Strategies to break down the large class experience

  2018

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

2012-2014 Lecturer in Ecology, University of South Wales

2011-2012 Lecturer in Animal Biology, University of Worcester

2008-2011 Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Cambridge

2007-2008 University Teacher, University of Glasgow

2006-2008 Honorary Research Associate, University of Glasgow

2002-2006 PhD. Student, Edinburgh University & CSL, York

1997-2001 BSc.(Hons.) Student Zoology, University of Glasgow