Cailean Phillips
Background:
I studied my Undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at the University of Hull graduating with a first-class degree July 2025. My dissertation project was the study of clownfish behaviours within their groups and towards their anemone hosts within captivity looking at how the interactions worked and how they differed based on factors such as hierarchy and size of the clownfish and anemone with an overall comparison to behaviours recorded in literature of groups in the natural habitats. I have had several work positions that have helped me increase my skillset from tutoring GCSE science students to stewarding events in harsh weather conditions providing transferable skills.
Research Interests:
I’m Interested In studying interactions between species their environments and people looking at how different ecological interactions change. This Is why I chose my dissertation on clownfish as their mutualistic symbiotic relationship with anemone hosts was an amazing opportunity to look at species – species interactions and how they are affected by human activity and the effects of being in captivity. I’m interest in further studying these interactions as well as other ecological interactions in different scenarios increasing my lab and field skills whilst building knowledge on wider topics to help my academic interests.
Why you applied for the Aura CDT:
I’ve always had a personal interest in marine species and environments helping me focus my studies onto marine biology and helping me explore my academic interests. The Aura CDT programme offered an incredible opportunity for me to get straight into research into a topic I have interest in. Whilst simultaneously increasing my academic and professional skillset that will carry me forward along my career.
Get in touch:
For an informal discussion, call +44 (0) 1482 463331
or contact auracdt@hull.ac.uk