Carmen

I’m from Dundee and I’m studying biology and earth sciences. My role in the VIP at the moment is the bat and moth monitoring, and I chose to apply for the VIP because it seemed like a really good opportunity and I was keen to get more involved in the St Andrews community and to learn more about local wildlife:)  I’m really into rock climbing outdoors !

Adam

I'm from Budapest, Hungary and I'm a 4th year student on a BSc Zoology degree here in St Andrews. I applied for to this VIP as I'm fascinated by nature and more specifically reptiles and amphibians and I would love to get as much experience as possible in practical conservation and biodiversity management. I'm responsible for all GIS related training, maintenance and development activities that are connected to the mapping of biodiversity around campus. I spend most of my free time rock climbing and reading (fantasy books and about reptiles).

Alexa

Hi! I'm from Durham, North Carolina, and I'm studying history! I applied to the VIP because I love connecting with nature, and this is a great way to get involved! My role in the VIP is to facilitate the continuing survey from last year, and oversee mapping of our univeristy land. I love reading, baking, running and hiking in my free time!

Sophia

Hi! I'm from Brazil and England, 4th year Biology student, and I applied for this VIP because I wanted to be able to identify the nature around me and learn how to keep track of biodiversity. My role is survey leader with Alexa, so we're overseeing the continuation of last year's surveys of biodiversity where we assign our fellow VIPers and ourselves patches to survey and record data points from. I love to hang out with my friends, read fantasy books and I'm part of Parkour and Rugby!

Kiki

Hi! I'm Kiki, and I'm from Washington DC. At St Andrews, I study Management and Sustainable Development, and I joined the Biodiversity Literacy VIP last year as a way to lean into the more environmental side of sustainable development, specifically to learn more about biodiversity conservation. Within the VIP I'm in charge of making this website a more user-friendly platform and a way for our peers to learn about what this group accomplishes throughout the year! In my free time, I love going on hikes and bike rides, and you can often find me on a run along Lade Braes here in St Andrews.

Em

Hi! I'm Em and I'm from Stoke-on-Trent. I study Philosophy and Anthropology, and I joined the VIP after doing some Anthropology research with Ecologists & Biologists and wanting to join their world permanently! My job within the project is to manage and write for the blog and to run the social media accounts. I love reading and writing poetry, painting, and watching Dr Who, as well as learning about the natural world. You might also find me sea swimming before the weather gets too cold:)

Cori

Hi!! I’m Cori, from Stirling and I’m a third year Ecology and Conservation student!

I applied to the VIP due my connection and inspiration from nature and the desire to deepen my understanding of the local ecology and how this changes over the seasons. Within the VIP I’m currently running Moth and Bat survey training.

I love going on little wanders outside, especially seeing what I can forage and make something from, or collecting inspiration for art pieces

Katie

Hi! I’m Katie and I’m from East Lothian. I’m currently studying ecology and conservation and am in second year.  I love birdwatching, and so this VIP is perfect for me! Within the module, I help work on developing training sessions for the rest of the Vippers, including in moth trapping and learning about bats. Outside of uni, I love to explore Scotland, hiking, climbing and just enjoying what this country has to offer!

Michaela

Hi I’m Michaela Cooney from Detroit, Michigan. I’m a third year at St Andrews studying physical geography and International Relations. Within the Biodiversity Literacy team I am in charge of site criteria, research and mapping. I’m a hiker, climber and kayaker, each activity a mere excuse for feeding my keen interest in learning more from the natural world. 

Eva

Hi, I'm Eva, and I'm a fourth year Biology and Geography student from central Scotland! Last summer, I helped set up the Key Performance Indicator framework that the VIP uses for monitoring biodiversity on campus, so I applied for the VIP not just to learn more about the nature we're surrounded by here in St Andrews, but also to get involved in the surveys that provide data for the KPIs (aka, the fun, outdoors bit!). My role on the team is overseeing the KPI dashboard - basically, looking at how we can easily track what taxa we're seeing where and how the results are changing year on year. In my free time, I enjoy sea swimming and hiking.