Effect of potentially toxic elements on the health and wellbeing of African lions
Supervisors:
Nikki Marks, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
DM Scantlebury, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
Andrew Brownlow, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Summary:
Project Summary
African lions are under increasing threat from climate change, human expansion, and exposure to environmental toxins. This PhD project will investigate how potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in food and water, alongside environmental stressors, affect lion physiology, movement, and survival. Using state-of-the-art biologging, hormone and toxicology analysis, and climate modelling, the project will generate new insights into how apex predators cope with challenging and rapidly changing ecosystems. Findings will inform conservation strategies, reduce human–wildlife conflict, and improve predictions of species resilience under future environmental change.
Training Outcomes
The student will gain a unique cross-disciplinary skillset spanning behavioural ecology, movement analysis, ecotoxicology, hormone and stable isotope analysis. They will learn to manage and analyse large, complex datasets, work with international collaborators, and access specialist training in species distribution and energetic modelling. Fieldwork experience will be combined with advanced laboratory techniques, providing a rare integration of ecology, physiology, and environmental science. In addition, the student will develop transferable skills in stakeholder engagement, project management, and communication, ensuring strong employability across academia, conservation NGOs, government, consultancy, and industry.