I will be starting my PhD at the University of Edinburgh in the autumn of 2017. My research project aims to quantify the effects of land use change on global and local patterns of species richness, abundance and composition, and develop an innovative computational framework to facilitate answering fundamental questions in ecology using big data and global synthesis of long-term observations. In particular, I will investigate whether: 1) changes in species richness, abundance and composition can be attributed to land use change over recent decades, 2) land intensification and land abandonment are both causing species homogenisation, and 3) biodiversity change processes are more pronounced in areas of high land use change rates.

Understanding how global change drivers, such as land intensification and abandonment, are influencing ecosystems around the world is vital for facilitating international policy regulations to inform conservation measures and safeguard ecosystem functionality.

I welcome future collaborations and am happy to answer questions – feel free to get in touch at gndaskalova (at) gmail.com.

I am also passionate about quantitative skills, in particular the development of coding and R skills among people from diverse backgrounds and career stages (check out Coding Club for more information). I firmly believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment, in diversity and equality in science and life, and in creating a positive feedback of knowledge gain and transfer.