Thomas Howells Email & Phone Number

Cheltenham, Gb

Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

In between Ecology roles and assistance managing land and equine livestock, I give talks to various Probus groups, rotary clubs and academic institutions including 'Cheltenham Ladies College.'

Sabah, Malaysia

A fantastic project which aimed to investigate the impacts of different land use strategies of farmers in agricultural palm oil production within Malaysian Borneo. The work involved planning, organising and conducting ecological experiments and diversity assessments within smallholder farms and primary rainforest. Primarily this was through habitat and plant diversity assessments, invertebrate sampling and measuring ecosystem processes via resource removal and decomposition rate experiments. A large proportion of the work also involved social research, explaining consent forms, forming working relationships and conducting interviews with local farmers, often in hastily learnt Malay. Data was gathered relating to how ecosystem function was affected by land management and environmental change in order to advise more sustainable and wildlife friendly farming practices. Connecting these fields of understanding and building experiments to test them, was a relevant skill set I can bring in evaluating the processes shaping ecosystems and working with agricultural communities.I helped develop, pilot, and manage the several ecological assessments and experiments running in different locations. Coordinating schedules, transport and equipment daily as the team was often divided into independent researchers. Addressing challenges such as tropical storms and equipment failure while making decisions impacting every element of the project also involved meeting and aligning our changing schedules with the busy local farmers and collaborators. Both at ‘Wild Asia’, a charity assisting farmers to gain recognised certification (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil), and ‘South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership’. I also played a part in attaining work visas and permits from government authorities. Valuable experience in project management and working alongside other organisations with overlapping purpose, in different landscapes.

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

I planned, carried out and analysed data relating to ten main ecological surveys on a remote island with mostly no outside world contact. Surveys assessed wildlife populations, habitat composition and meteorological conditions correlating with an ongoing eradication project of invasive ant and plant species that we ran simultaneously. Surveys had to be organised within specific time frames and conducted to a strict protocol to ensure consistency within a long term dataset. An invasive plant identification and habitat rehabilitation project was also developed during the placement as well as extensive marine ecology, marine debris and beach migration studies. Each crew member managed, analysed and presented large data sets for a federal government report, along with weekly updates and island situation reports.Along with ecological surveys, camp maintenance was required throughout. Our five person team was constantly required to manage camp systems through tasks including: setting up drinking water catchment, propane and solar energy maintenance and on one unfortunate occasion, rebuilding camp after a tropical storm. While good exercise in field surveys, data management and report writing, this experience was particularly valuable in both managing personal consistency and in decision making, especially when it was necessary to shift priorities calmly.

Christmas Island

Worked as a PhD research assistant in collaboration with government organisation 'Parks' to collect data relating to habitat data, population density, spatial range of reptiles, small mammals and invertebrates. Data was collected using various fixed plot habitat survey methods and capture-mark-recapture methods to assess native threatened species and invasive species in human degraded, disturbed and natural forest habitats. I also assisted in an animal rehabilitation centre and a captive reptile breeding program during my placement. This was an important step in learning to look at the underlying processes in understanding ecological change, in particular habitat loss and species invasion, alongside the human root these processes can have.

San Pedro Sula, Cortés, Honduras

Led international school groups and volunteers in remote tropical forest research sites; responsible for safety throughout. Here I taught field surveys and collaborated with scientific researchers involving groups in hands-on data collection, while teaching about jungle fauna, flora and conservation; including experimental research on carbon sequestration, habitat and biodiversity studies. I also used problem solving skills in organising logistics and convening schedules of researchers, teachers and local community farmers in demonstrating processes behind growing sustainable shade grown coffee, as well as moving groups between camps. This experience started building my skill set in person management, while simultaneously carrying out PhD and MSc research.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, And Population Biology

Mooc, Animal Behaviour, 94%

Introductory Course to Animal Behaviour and Ethology. Covering learning, cognition and development, communication, survival and mating.

Master Of Science - Ms, Ecology, Evolution And Conservation, Pass With Merit

Focused on topics such as agroecology, genetics and policy, utilising novel techniques in statistics, DNA barcoding and organising taxa..

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Natural History, Upper Second Class (2:1)

Activities and Societies: First Year Sport Scholar Set up and ran University Waterpolo teamThis encompassed a range of field, lab.