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Damien Catchpole
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PhD (General)
Biography
I grew up in tropical Australia but began my undergraduate degree in 1999 at UTAS due to a love of the slower way of life offered in Tasmania along with its natural beauty. Overtime I developed fervour for the lack of research in the ridiculously biodiverse yet highly threatened cloud forests of the tropical Andes.
In 2001 I completed a research internship investigating cloud forest fine root biomass in the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park of Central Peru. I returned to the site the next year for my Honours research on vascular epiphytes and forest microclimate. This was the pilot study for my present PhD research. After having made a large personal and financial investment, I am committed to continuing advanced research at the site with the aim to increase our understanding, awareness and conservation values for this important yet poorly protected part of the planet.
Apart from my own research, I am also committed to providing logistical and financial support for local Peruvian students, which is rarely forthcoming under the current political and economic climate.
My current research interests include vascular epiphytes, cloud forest ecology, cloud water deposition and forest microclimate.
Outreach, teaching and other research activities
• I teach a course every second year on “Montane Forest Ecology and Research Techniques” to Peruvian undergraduate and postgraduate students free of charge that includes 12 hours of open lectures and 8 days of field training.
• Over the course of the project fieldwork, I financially supported three Peruvian students, while supervising and/or collaborating with 10 other students who utilised my project infrastructure, facilities and equipment to perform their own thesis fieldwork on related topics.
• I regularly participate in local workshops and meetings regarding the conservation/management of the national park and give presentations within the local community about my work and that of students I support.
Funding & Awards
2000 - AU$2500 IMAP Scholarship for International Study, UTAS
2002 - AU$2700 Research Sponsorship, Macpac
2003 - ₤600 Research Grant, The Walter Guiness Memorial Trust
2003 - AU$750 Student Research Award Grant, Aust. Ecological Soc.
2004 - AU$2500 Conference Grant, GES-UTAS
2005 - Australian Postgraduate Award, Aust. Federal Gov.
2005 - AU$2500 Conference Grant, GES-UTAS
2005 - US$1200 Conference Grant, LBA (NASA-Brazilian Gov.)
2006 - US$1000 Research Grant, South Florida Orchid Soc.
2006 - US$3000 Conservation Research Grant, San Diego County Orchid Soc.
2006 - Current project accepted as LBA Associated Project (NASA-Brazilian Gov.)
2007 - US$1000 Research Grant, South Florida Orchid Soc.
2007 - AU$2000 Conference Grant, GES-UTAS
2007 - US$6000 Research Grant, American Orchid Soc.
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