
Nadia Hamilton
Lancaster University
Email: n.m.hamilton@lancaster.ac.uk
Nadia is an ENVISION DTP NERC funded PhD student at Lancaster Environment Centre, supervised by Dr Sally Keith (Lancaster University), Dr Nick Isaac (NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology) and Dan Exton (Operation Wallacea). After her bachelor’s degree in Applied Marine Biology (Bangor University), Nadia went on to study an MPhil in Biological Science (Zoology) at The University of Cambridge. Nadia has previously worked as a research assistant for the Marine Sensory Ecology Group (The University of Queensland) and the Marine Behavioural Ecology group (The University of Cambridge). Her previous research experience involves investigations into the visual capabilities of both marine and aquatic fish species. With particular focus in colour perception in Rhinecanthus aculeatus and the sensory drivers of individual behaviours in Gasterosteus aculeatus. Nadia’s current research focuses on the relationship between aggression and colouration across various species of Chaetodontidae, and how anthropogenic change may alter such factors to combine her experience in both visual and behavioural ecology.
Research Interests
Nadia’s broad research interests lie within the field of animal behaviour. She is particularly interested in the interplay between sensory and behavioural ecology. Her PhD project will look at scaling up these interests to assess how anthropogenic changes will impact colouration and aggression in various Chaetodontidae species. Nadia hopes to utilise techniques including video analyses, fieldwork practices, AI, and statistical modelling throughout her PhD to investigate aspects of these overarching topics.
Selected Publications
- Holmes RB, Hamilton NM, Dunkley K & Herbert-Read JE (2025) Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Show Social Attraction to Conspecifics When Selecting Shelters. Ethology.
- Holmes RB, Hamilton NM, Simpson SD & Herbert-Read JE (2024) Lionfish (Pterois volitans) do not show directional preferences for ambient underwater soundscapes during diurnal hours. Marine Biology 172: 9.
- Santiago C, Green NF, Hamilton N, Endler JA, Osorio DC, Marshall NJ and Cheney KL (2020) Does conspicuousness scale linearly with colour distance? A test using reef fish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 287 (1935).
