Personal profile
Biography
2017 - Senior Lecturer, University of Roehampton.
2015 - Lecturer, University of Roehampton.
2013 - Postdoctoral researcher, Imperial College London.
2011 - Ph.D, Queen Mary University of London.
2006 - BSc (Hons), University of Leeds, 2:1 degree received in Ecology.
Qualifications
BSc, PhD
Research interests
My research focuses on understanding the structure and functioning of ecosystems. An ecosystem is more than the sum of its parts and by studying interactions between species (e.g. food webs) and their environment (e.g. temperature) we can gain key information about the pathways of energy flow that bring about real change in natural systems. I use a range of approaches from small-scale laboratory experiments, field surveys and large ecological datasets and my work searches for common mechanisms operating across aquatic and terrestrial realms
Potential Research Projects on offer
Please contact me via email for potential MSc and PhD projects.
Research projects
Postdoctoral project: http://nerc-duress.org/
Teaching
Diversity of Life 1 (1st year)
Ecology and Evolution (2nd year)
Aquatic and Invertebrate Biology (3rd year)
Links
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PlasticUnderground - Integrated Cross-Sectoral Solutions to Micro- and Nanoplastic Pollution in Soil and Groundwater Ecosystems
Reiss, J. (CoI), Robertson, A. (CoI) & Perkins, D. (CoI)
1/12/22 → 30/11/26
Project: Research
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Microplastics in Groundwater Ecosystems: A Global Impact Analysis (PlaStyx) Leverhulme Research Project
Robertson, A. (PI), Perkins, D. (CoI), Reiss, J. (CoI) & Krause, S. (CoI)
1/01/22 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Developing a groundwater monitoring network that is fit for the future. Environment Agency
Robertson, A. (PI) & Perkins, D. (CoI)
1/11/21 → 31/03/22
Project: Research
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Pyramids of Life: Working with nature for a sustainable future
Perkins, D. (PI)
1/11/21 → 1/11/24
Project: Research
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Physiological and behavioural responses of aquatic organisms to microplastics and experimental warming
Marchant, D. J., Perkins, D. M., Jones, J. I. & Kratina, P., 4 Apr 2025, In: Environmental Pollution. p. 126182Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Land use drives detritivore size structure and decomposition through shifts in resource quality and quantity
Larrañaga, A., Perkins, D. M., Basaguren, A., Larrañaga, S., Pozo, J. & Montoya, J. M., 4 Jun 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: The Science of the total environment. 892, p. 164552Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Land‐use intensification systematically alters the size structure of aquatic communities in the Neotropics
Collyer, G., Perkins, D. M., Petsch, D. K., Siqueira, T. & Saito, V., 14 May 2023, In: GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY. 29, 14, p. 4094-4106 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile26 Downloads (Pure) -
Trophic plasticity of omnivorous fishes in natural and human-dominated landscapes
Neves, M., Perkins, D. & Kratina, P., 27 Nov 2023, In: Limnology & Oceanography. p. 189-202Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Consistent predator-prey biomass scaling in complex food webs
Perkins, D. M., Hatton, I. A., Gauzens, B., Barnes, A. D., Ott, D., Rosenbaum, B., Vinagre, C. & Brose, U., 25 Aug 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Nature Communications. 13, 1, p. 4990Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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External examiner on PhD viva
Perkins, D. (Supervisor)
28 Apr 2022Activity: Examinations › Examination
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Consultancy and contract research funding to explore microcontaminant impacts in London’s Royal Parks
Perkins, D. (Advisor)
1 Dec 2022 → …Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Affiliation to non-academic organisation
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Workshops with industry partners (Waitrose, Seafish)
Perkins, D. (Advisor)
12 Dec 2022Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Contribution to the work of non-academic organisations
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Workshop with business partners (Waitrose, Seafish)
Perkins, D. (Advisor)
16 Jun 2022Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Contribution to the work of non-academic organisations
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Academic exchanges with Brazilian research group
Perkins, D. (Advisor)
2021 → 2022Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Workshop and other training
Press/Media
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Catch the drift: river fish and birds rely on mobile invertebrate prey
9/04/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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The restoration of large woody debris rapidly increases degraded river biodiversity
22/09/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media