I am a biologist with an interest in animal behaviour, particularly amphibians. I am studying the effect of geophysical variables on amphibian reproductive behaviour. I have found that lunar phase is an important factor affecting amphibian reproductive timing. I am also interested in the effects of other geophysical factors on amphibians such as geomagnetism. Other research interests include molecular evolution, marine molecular ecology and intra-species communication in Psittacine birds. You can contact me on rachelannegrant@gmail.com

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

2009        Open University PhD: Factors affecting amphibian breeding phenology and reproductive synchronisation.

2003        Southampton University.  Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Behaviour

1990        Manchester University BSc (Hons) Biology

SELECTED ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Grant, R.A.,Chadwick, EA & Halliday TR. The lunar cycle: a cue for amphibian reproductive phenology? Animal Behaviour (2009),doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.05.007 (In press).

Linse, K, Brandt, A, Endlerlein, P, Griffiths, HJ, Sands, CJ & Grant, RA. The effect of reproductive mode on CO1 make-up: analysing DNA barcodes of peracarid crustacean and shelled molluscan morphospecies. In preparation.

Grant, RA & Linse, K (2009) Barcoding Antarctic Biodiversity.  In press, Polar Biology, 2009

R.A.Stockley, R.A.Grant, C.G.Llewellyn Jones, S.L.Hill & Burnett, DH (1994) Neutrophil formyl peptide receptors: Relationship to peptide induced responses and emphysema. American J. Respiratory Critical Care Medicine 149 (2) 464-468

Burnett, DH Adams,DH, Martin, TJM,  Liu, Q, Grant, R.A. , Stockley, RA  and Lord, JM (1994) Inhibition by FK506 of formyl-peptide induced neutrophil activation and associated protein synthesis. Biochemical Pharmacology 48 (6) 1081-1088

Stockley, RA, Grant, RA, Llewellyn Jones, CG & Hill, SL (1993) Relationship of formyl peptide receptors to neutrophil response  and chronic destructive lung disease. American Review of Respiratory Disease 147 (4)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2006 – 2009             Oxford University (Department of Zoology) Research Assistant, Evolution and Development

2007-2009               Cambridge University (Scott Polar Research Institute) Research Assistant

2003 -2006              SelectScience Ltd  Editor

2000-2003               BioIndustry Association   Analyst

1996-1998               PJB Publications Scientific Business Manager

1995-1996               Cambridge BioScience Account Manager

1990-1993               Birmingham University, (Lung Immuno-biochemistry) Research Assistant