Takuji Usui
Email: usuitakuji(-at-)gmail(-dot-)com
I recently moved over from Edinburgh, Scotland to join the I-DEEL lab to work as a research assistant. I first came to discover research conducted at I-DEEL after becoming interested in applications of meta-analyses in evolution and ecology during my Honours project at the University of Edinburgh, for which I carried out a phylogenetic comparative meta-analysis on avian phenology. Throughout my time with I-DEEL, I will be pursuing this interest (this time delving into the area of evolutionary medicine) by conducting a meta-analysis of variance on animal models of stroke with Shinichi and Alistair, in collaboration with Prof. Malcolm Macleod (CAMARADES group). In addition, I will be assisting with setting up zebrafish metabolism and respirometry work at The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and more generally will be helping out with various lab work for other members of the team.
Past Education/Work
I completed my BSc at the University of Edinburgh (2011-2015) in Evolutionary Biology. During my Honours, I carried out a phylogenetic comparative meta-analysis to investigate plasticity in avian migration timing in response to climate change (supervised by Dr. Ally Phillimore). Afterwards, I was offered a studentship at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (University of Edinburgh) to publish this work (currently under review). Since graduation, I also completed a one-month intensive tropical biology field course in Uganda run by the Tropical Biology Association (Cambridge Conservation Initiative), where I carried out research investigating the ecological determinants of liana abundance in the tropics along with fellow graduates and biologists from across the world (supervised by Dr. Markus Eichhorn). Over the last two years, I’ve also worked as a field assistant for Dr. Jarrod Hadfield, who is carrying out empirical work on blue-tits to investigate natural and kin selection.
Research Interests
My research interests continue to grow every day as I continue to learn more and more… Currently, I have a broad interest in evolutionary ecology (e.g. phenotypic plasticity; climate change biology; biodiversity and biogeography) as well as a developing interest in a range of statistical work (e.g. meta-analysis; comparative analysis; quantitative genetics modelling).
Other Interests
I love music and being outdoors – In fact, I’m probably most at peace when outdoors and playing/listening to music at the same time (perhaps with a drink!). I like adventuring out on bicycle, foot, and recently, also on hands… (I’ve developed a new addiction to rock climbing). As with Shinichi, I also love My Neighbour Totoro.
I recently moved over from Edinburgh, Scotland to join the I-DEEL lab to work as a research assistant. I first came to discover research conducted at I-DEEL after becoming interested in applications of meta-analyses in evolution and ecology during my Honours project at the University of Edinburgh, for which I carried out a phylogenetic comparative meta-analysis on avian phenology. Throughout my time with I-DEEL, I will be pursuing this interest (this time delving into the area of evolutionary medicine) by conducting a meta-analysis of variance on animal models of stroke with Shinichi and Alistair, in collaboration with Prof. Malcolm Macleod (CAMARADES group). In addition, I will be assisting with setting up zebrafish metabolism and respirometry work at The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and more generally will be helping out with various lab work for other members of the team.
Past Education/Work
I completed my BSc at the University of Edinburgh (2011-2015) in Evolutionary Biology. During my Honours, I carried out a phylogenetic comparative meta-analysis to investigate plasticity in avian migration timing in response to climate change (supervised by Dr. Ally Phillimore). Afterwards, I was offered a studentship at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (University of Edinburgh) to publish this work (currently under review). Since graduation, I also completed a one-month intensive tropical biology field course in Uganda run by the Tropical Biology Association (Cambridge Conservation Initiative), where I carried out research investigating the ecological determinants of liana abundance in the tropics along with fellow graduates and biologists from across the world (supervised by Dr. Markus Eichhorn). Over the last two years, I’ve also worked as a field assistant for Dr. Jarrod Hadfield, who is carrying out empirical work on blue-tits to investigate natural and kin selection.
Research Interests
My research interests continue to grow every day as I continue to learn more and more… Currently, I have a broad interest in evolutionary ecology (e.g. phenotypic plasticity; climate change biology; biodiversity and biogeography) as well as a developing interest in a range of statistical work (e.g. meta-analysis; comparative analysis; quantitative genetics modelling).
Other Interests
I love music and being outdoors – In fact, I’m probably most at peace when outdoors and playing/listening to music at the same time (perhaps with a drink!). I like adventuring out on bicycle, foot, and recently, also on hands… (I’ve developed a new addiction to rock climbing). As with Shinichi, I also love My Neighbour Totoro.