Gaia Mortier
Areas of interest
- Science Communication
- Museums
- Arthropods (insects)
- Ectoparasites
- Stable Isotope Analysis (SIA)
Research projects
Research projects
A Day in the Lice: Recreating Past Human and Animal Life Histories Using Arthropod Ectoparasites in Museum and Archaeological Collections.
Ectoparasites (such as fleas, lice, and ticks) in museum and archaeological collections are often overlooked despite their abundance and potential. This project aims to use ectoparasites in order to explore alternatives to commonly used stable isotope analysis (SIA) and DNA sampling techniques requiring the destruction of hair, bone or teeth. This is especially critical in contexts where the specimens being prepared for analysis have great cultural value, or are particularly fragile and susceptible to damage, such as ancient mummified remains of humans or animals.
Supervisors:
Dr Stuart Black (University of Reading)
Dr Alejandra Perotti (University of Reading)
Dr Andrew Kitchener (National Museums Scotland)