SAMANTHA BALL
PhD student
BIO
I am a PhD candidate at University College Cork (UCC) studying mammal ecology and management in airfields. I commenced my PhD research in 2018 in collaboration with the Irish Research Council and the Dublin Airport Authority. I primarily work on the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) population residing at the airfield at Dublin Airport and am working under the supervision of Dr. Fidelma Butler and Dr. Anthony Caravaggi.
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My research interests include mammology, parasitology, epidemiology, conservation and I have a particular interest in mammalian parasites- all of which I have had the opportunity to partake in with my past research and work experience.
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I graduated from a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from UCC in 2015 and an MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity in 2017 from the University of Exeter.
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My hobbies include hiking, paddle boarding, yoga and cooking.
PUBLICATIONS
2021
Ball, S., Butler, F., Caravaggi, A., Coughlan, N., Keogh, G., O'Callaghan, M., Whelan, R., Kelly, T., 2021. Hares in the long grass: increased aircraft related mortality of the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) over a 30-year period at Ireland’s largest civil airport. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 67.
2020
Ball, S., Caravaggi, A., Butler, F., 2021. Runway roadkill: a global review of mammal strikes with aircraft. Mammal Review. doi: 10.1111/mam.12241
Ball, S., Kelly, T.C. and Butler, F., 2020. Endoparasites of the endemic Irish hare Lepus timidus hibernicus. Wildlife Biology, 2020(3).
2019
Tilley, D., Ball, S., Ellick, J., Godley, B.J., Weber, N., Weber, S.B. and Broderick, A.C., 2019. No evidence of fine scale thermal adaptation in green turtles. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 514, pp.110-117.
FUNDING
Irish Research Council (IRC)
Four year PhD funding with University College Cork and the Dublin Airport Authority (October 2018- October 2022)
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
November 2018- Current
PHD IN APPLIED ECOLOGY- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK
Four year PhD research project, entitled 'Managing hares at Dublin Airport' in collaboration with the Irish Research Council and the Dublin Airport Authority. The project involves modelling the population size of the hares residing at the airfield through distance sampling, determining the circadian activity of the hares and periods of activity overlap with aircraft through the use of camera traps, genotyping of the population and GPS tracking (to commence in 2021).
September 2016Â - September 2017
MSC CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (DISTINCTION)
One year MSc program where modules were taken on statistical analysis, conservation policy and marine conservation. My thesis entitled 'Prevalence of the deformed wing virus complex in honeybees and solitary bees in South East England' was completed under the supervision of Prof. Lena Wilfert. The research included the detection of two viral strains of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV-A, DWV-B) via genetic methods (RNA extraction, reverse transcription, PCR, gel electrophoresis) as well as the experimental inoculation of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) with the two strains to determine viral replication rates.
September 2011Â - October 2015
BSC (HONS) ZOOLOGY- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK (FIRST CLASS HONOURS)
Four year degree program covering a broad range of topics in Ecology and Zoology. My thesis entitled 'The endoparasite community composition and morphometrics of the endemic Irish hare' was the first known study to identify the endoparasites infecting the Irish hare.
PAST EXPERIENCE
Past Roles
ASSISTANT PARASITOLOGIST- ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY (MATERNITY COVER)
March 2018 - October 2018
Monitoring for Trichonella in wild boar meat by artificial digestion and sedimentation in the lab.
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Monitoring for Echinococcus multilocularis in wild fox populations. This involved the dissecting of specimens, faecal zinc floatation, DNA extractions, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.
INTERN - ASCENSION ISLAND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
January 2016Â - July 2016
Part of a team responsible for monitoring green turtle nesting efforts for the 2016 season.
MONITORING LEADER (LAKONIKOS) - ARCHELON
May 2015 - October 2015
Responsible for monitoring, data collection and nest protection for Archelon's Lakonikos project. This included the training of over 60 volunteers in field methods and data recording. The position also required the occasional sea turtle rescue.
Outreach
Irish Bee Conservation Project
Volunteer member of the IBCP education team
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Education and Public Engagement Committee- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC
Graduate representative
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Video:
How to use a camera trap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EoCHVkrOs
CONTACT
Cooperage Building, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork
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