Dr Alison Thomas, PhD

Alison Thomas

Senior Lecturer (part-time)

Location: Cambridge
Tel No: +44 (0)1223 363271 (ext. 2207)
Fax No: +44 (0)1223 352979 or 576157
Email: Alison.Thomas@anglia.ac.uk

Teaching Experience

Module Leader for: Principles of Genetics; DNA and Gene Manipulation; Medical Genetics;
Other Modules: Core Biology; Practical Biology; Biological Conservation; General Microbiology; Project & Preparation for Research

Research

My research interests span a diverse range of topics within the broad field of molecular ecology. Generally I use a DNA based approach to probe ecological questions. For example, I am part of a collaborative group monitoring the impact that the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, an invasive non-native species is having on native ladybird species. I am using PCR analysis of gut contents to identify prey species of H. axyridis. Other major research interests include genetic issues associated with habitat fragmentation and the pleiotropic consequences of melanism in Sciurus carolinensis and other squirrel species.

I am also interested in the public communication of science and in women's achievements within both science and the arts.

Publications

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Books:
Thomas, A
. (in preparation) Keynotes in Genetics OUP
Thomas, A. (2003). Introducing Genetics: from Mendel to molecule. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham.
Thomas, A. (1999). The Art of Hilda Carline: Mrs Stanley Spencer. ed. T. Wilcox. Lund Humphries, London
Thomas, A. (1996) Portraits of Women: Gwen John & her Forgotten Contemporaries. Polity Press, Cambridge

Other Publications:

Aebi A, Brown PMJ, De Clercq P, Hautier L, Howe A, Ingels B, Ravn H-P, Sloggett JJ, Zindel R, Thomas A (2011) Measuring arthropod intraguild predation in the field (review). Biocontrol. 56, 4, 429-440

Ormond, E L, Thomas A P M, Pell J K Freeman S N & Roy H E (2011) Avoidance of a generalist entomopathogenic fungus by the ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata FEMS Microbiol Ecol 77 (2) 229-237

Thomas A (2011) PCR and Wildlife Forensics Biological Sciences Review 24 (1)

Thomas, A (2011) Who was...Frederick Gowland Hopkins. Biologist 58, 33-37.

Martay B, Robertshaw T, Doberski J and Thomas A (submitted) Does dispersal of the wetland carabid Carabus granulatus limit its colonisation of newly created fenland? An assessment using genetic and ecological methods

Thomas AP, Trotman J, Wheatley A, ,Aebi A , Zindel R. and Brown PMJ (submitted) Predation of native UK coccinellids by the invasive alien ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: detection by PCR based gut analysis

Ormond, E L, Thomas A P M, Pugh P, Pell J K & Roy H E (2010) A fungal pathogen in time and space: the population dynamics of Beauveria bassiana in a conifer forest. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 74 (2010) 146?154

Ormond, E L, Thomas A P M, Pell J K Freeman S N & Roy H E (submitted) Avoidance of a generalist entomopathogenic fungus by the ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata

Thomas A, Philippou S, Ware R, Kitson H & Brown P (2010) Is Harmonia axyridis really eating Adalia bipunctata in the wild? Benefits and Risks of Exotic Biological Control Agents IOBC/wprs Bulletin Vol. 58, pp. 149-153

McRobie,H., Thomas, A., & Kelly, J., (2009) The Genetic Basis of Melanism in the Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis. Journal of Heredity 100, 709-14

Thomas, A. (2008) Black Squirrels. Biological Sciences Review 21 (2): 39-41

Thomas, A. (2008) Black Squirrels. Mammal Review. July 2008

Thomas, A (2007) Who was...Dorothy Needham. Biologist 54, 160-3.

Pearce, CE, Thomas, A.P.M. & Clements DAV (2006). The ethics of xenotransplantation: a survey of student attitudes Xenotransplantation; 13: 253-257.

Thomas, A.P.M. & Pankhurst, S.J. (2005). The Black Squirrels of Cambridgeshire. Nature in Cambridgeshire, 46, 61.

Thomas, A.P.M. (2004). Genetics and Ecology. Biological Sciences Review, 16, 14.

Karyistinou, A., Thomas, A.P.M. and Roy, H.E. (2004). Presence of haemocyte-like cells in coccinellid reflex blood. Physiological Entomology, 29, 94-96.

Essays on Edna Clarke Hall & Ethel Walker for the New National Dictionary of Biography (2004).

Conference Presentations

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Roy H E, Thomas A P M, Pell J K Freeman S N & Ormond E L. Avoidance of a generalist entomopathogenic fungus by the ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata 11th International Symposium on Ecology of Aphidophaga, Perugia, Italy 19-24 September 2010.

Thomas, A., Clements, D., Beer, Z., and Hartley, V (2009) Assessing genetic diversity of the Twin Spotted Wainscot Moth(Archanara geminipuncta) in UK Phragmites reedbeds. British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Hatfield, 8-10 September 2009

Thomas A., Philippou, S., Ware R., Kitson H.,and Brown P.,(2009) Are harlequin ladybirds really eating our native species? Harmonia axyridis and other invasive ladybirds (IOBC/WPRS Study Group), Engelberg, Switzerland, 6-9 September 2009.

Vizuete-Forster M, Thomas, A.P.M and Knapp, L.A (2007). Differential amplification profiles from fresh and archived DNA samples. 22nd Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics, Copenhagen, Denmark, 21-25 August 2007.

Roy, H.E., Ormond, E.L., Pell, J.K. and Thomas, A.P.M. (2009) Overlapping niches of Beauveria bassiana in a pine forest. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, Utah, USA, 16-20 August 2009

Ormond, E.L., Thomas, A.P.M., Pell, J.K. and Roy, H.E. (2007) Detection and avoidance of Beauveria bassiana by seven spot ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, Quebec City, Canada, 12-15 August 2007

Ormond, E.L., Thomas, A.P.M., Pell, J.K. and Roy, H.E. (2007) Molecular characterisation of Beauveria bassiana isolates obtained from semi-field arenas of overwintering Coccinella septempunctata. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, Quebec City, Canada, 12-15 August 2007

Ormond, E.L., Thomas, A.P.M., Pell, J.K. and Roy, H.E. (2007) Using molecular techniques to study overwintering interactions between Beauveria bassiana and seven-spot ladybirds. ENTO ?07 - Royal Entomological Society Annual National Meeting, University of Edinburgh, 16-18 July 2007.

Ormond, E.L., Thomas, A.P.M., Pell, J.K. and Roy, H.E. (2006). Overwintering ecology of Coccinella septempunctata, Beauveria bassiana and Dinocampus coccinellae. Working Group "Landscape management for functional biodiversity" at Zürich-Reckenholz (Switzerland), 16-19 May 2006. Edited by: Walter, A.H. Rossing, Lisa Eggenschwiler, Hans-Michael Poehling. ISBN 92-9067-189-9 [viii + 168 pp.]. IOBC/wprs Bulletin Vol. 29(6), 85-88

Ormond, E.L., Thomas, A.P.M., Pell, J.K. and Roy, H.E. (2005) Interactions between overwintering ladybirds and Beauveria bassiana. Proceedings of the 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, Anchorage, Alaska, 7-11 August 2005

Ormond, E.L., Kussy, F., Roy, H.E., Pell, J.K. and Thomas, A.P.M. (2004) PCR-based strategy for the identification of Beauveria bassiana isolates. 16th Annual Meeting of the British Invertebrate Mycopathologists Group, Rothamsted Research, Hertfordshire, 27 October 2004

Ormond, E.L., Kussy, F., Roy, H.E., Pell, J.K. and Thomas, A.P.M. (2004) PCR-based strategy for the identification of Beauveria bassiana isolates. Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, Helsinki, Finland, 1-6 August 2004

Roy, H.E. Ormond, E.L., Kussy, F., Pell, J.K. and Thomas, A.P.M. (2004) Distinguishing Beauveria bassiana isolates. COST 842 Meeting, Siedlce, Poland, 2-4 June 2004

Thomas, A.P.M., Karyistinou, A.,. and Roy, H.E. (2003) Sampling ladybird populations using reflex blood. British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Manchester Metropolitan University, 9-11 September 2003

Thomas, A. P. M (2002) The Marriage of Genetics And Ecology. British Ecological Society Teaching Meeting, Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, 11 April, 2002

Forthcoming / Recently Curated Exhibitions

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Hopkins and the Chemistry of Life, Royal Society, London November 2010 - June 2011.

The Winchester Triptych, Winchester Cathedral July - August 2009

Momentary Matters, Norwich Cathedral, 11 February - 31 March 2008

Edna Clarke Hall: Wuthering Heights and Upminster Common, 28 February - 17 March 2008. Abbot and Holder, London.

The Still Hours (2007) Southwell Minster, Worcester, Liverpool Metropolitan and Lincoln Cathedrals and York Minster

Edna Clarke Hall: Cornish Summers at Gillan Creek (2006) Abbot and Holder, London.

DFS Stubbs Still Life Paintings (2006) Clare College Chapel, Cambridge & St. Peter's Church, Cambridge.

DFS Stubbs Recent Still Life Paintings (2005) Keatsu Educational & Conference Centre, New Hall, Cambridge.

The Seven Ages of Shakespeare (2005) Browne's Hospital, Stamford.

DFS Stubbs: Recent Paintings (2003) Clare Hall, Cambridge.

The Art of Hilda Carline: Mrs Stanley Spencer (1999): a national touring exhibition:, Lincoln, Exeter, Kenwood House London, York. Swansea.

The Golden Nineties (1996/7): a national touring exhibition: Lincoln, Exeter, Swansea, Sheffield.
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