I’m an Arachnologist currently based in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury (Christchurch, New Zealand), and I’m a Visiting Scientist at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Mbita, Kenya). My background is in Biology as well as Psychology and I use jumping spiders (family Salticidae) to investigate topics relating to animal cognition.

I’m a prime example of someone who can overcome a fear of spiders and become fascinated by them! Check out this video that I worked on with Damian Christie from Aotearoa Science Agency. For more details about my research, click here.

NEW VIDEO! I have also been featured on the New Zealand children’s television show Fanimals, talking about why I think spiders are wonderful.