Dr Alyx Milne
Senior Research Associate
My profile
Biography
INTERESTS AND EXPERTISE
I am specialised researcher who also has unique in depth experience, training a range of exotic animals. I thrive on a challenge while being passionate about discovering and disseminating my research. I also pride myself on developing the highest standards of welfare and training of animals. I contribute to external research and welfare initiatives, such as:
- Co-opted Member of BIAZA Pinniped Focus Group
- Pinniped Research, Training and Welfare Consultant
- Article Reviewer
- Public Engagement with museums, zoos and aquariums around the United Kingdom
Here at Manchester Metropolitan University I am:
- Conservation, Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Research Group member
- Unit Leader for MSc Zoo Conservation Biology
RESEARCH WEBSITE
Impact
Awards
2015
BIAZA Research Award – Awarded the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) Research Award for my PhD Research Active Touch Sensing in Pinnipeds on sea lion sensing, in collaboration with Blackpool Zoo and Manchester Metropolitan University
2008
ASET Essay Competition Award – Competition to highlight my Zoology BSc Hons Internship at Chester Zoo, with special commendation
2005
Animal Concepts Certification – Advanced animal learning course with Sabrina Brando
Projects
2021 – 2024 BBSRC Discovery Fellowship Super Seal Sense: Whisker movement control in Pinnipeds
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/research/research-centres/ecology-environment/projects/touch-sensing-mammals
Teaching
I am the unit leader for the MSc Zoo Conservation Unit, in collaboration with Chester Zoo,
Supervision
Current PhD Students:
- Katie Todd Pinniped sensing strategies in water movements (2022 - 2028)
Current MSc Students:
- Emma Mcloughlin TBC (2022 - 2024)
Completed MSc Students:
- Donata Lorenzo - Vibrissal Orientation and Movement in a Fish Finding Task in California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus), (2017 - 2018)
Completed BSc Students:
- Mollie Taylor - The role of macro-vibrissae in a texture discrimination task in the California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus), (2017 - 2018)
- Catherine Smith - (Characterising Whisker Movements of Three Species of Pinnipeds during a Fish Sweeping Task, (2017 - 2018)
NOTE: While at Blackpool Zoo, I have supervised and supported many research projects as part of Work Experience, Internship and Trainee Student work; including BSc and MSc in Zoology, Conservation Biology, Zoo Conservation Biology, Animal Behaviour, Animal Welfare and Biology courses from multiple institutions across the UK.
Research outputs
-
Journal articles
Milne, A.O., Orton, L., Black, C.H., Jones, G.C., Sullivan, M., Grant, R.A. (2021) 'California sea lions employ task-specific strategies for active touch sensing.' Journal of Experimental Biology, 224(21) pp. jeb243085-jeb243085.
Milne, A.O., Muchlinski, M.N., Orton, L.D., Sullivan, M.S., Grant, R.A. (2021) 'Comparing vibrissal morphology and infraorbital foramen area in pinnipeds.' The Anatomical Record, 305(3) pp. 556-567.
Dougill, G., Starostin, E.L., Milne, A.O., van der Heijden, G.H.M., Goss, V.G.A., Grant, R.A. (2020) 'Ecomorphology reveals Euler spiral of mammalian whiskers.' Journal of Morphology, 281(10) pp. 1271-1279.
Milne, A.O., Smith, C., Orton, L.D., Sullivan, M.S., Grant, R.A. (2020) 'Pinnipeds orient and control their whiskers: a study on Pacific walrus, California sea lion and Harbor seal.' Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 206(3) pp. 441-451.
Milne, A.O., Grant, R.A. (2014) 'Characterisation of whisker control in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) during a complex, dynamic sensorimotor task.' Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 200
Career history
2005 - 2009
Zoology BSc Hons with a sandwich placement year at Chester Zoo
School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moors University
2009 - 2011
Marine Mammal Trainer
Seaquarium Rhyl, Wales
2009 - 2012
Animal Behaviour MSc with zoo studies at Chester Zoo
Manchester Metropolitan University
2011
Head of Sea lions
Welsh Mountain Zoo, Wales
2016 - 2017
AET: Level 3 Award in Education and Training (BIAZA)
Reaseheath College, Nantwich
2011 - 2021
Animal Trainer, Presenter and Keeper
Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool,
2015 - 2020
PhD “Active Touch Sensing in Pinnipeds”
Funded by Manchester Metropolitan University and Blackpool Zoo
Manchester Metropolitan University
2015 - Present
Associate Lecturer
Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Present
BBSRC Discovery Fellowship
Super Seal Sense: Whisker movement strategies in Pinnipeds in collaboration with Seaquarium Rhyl and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Press and media
Television
ITV News
Good Morning Sunday with Aled Jones (2014) LIVE: Sea lions use whiskers for balancing balls and finding fish.
The ONE Show (2014) Sea lions use whiskers for balancing balls and finding fish.
Blackpool Zoo
https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/news/blackpool-zoo-keeper-secures-prestigious-fellowship
BBC News - Blackpool zookeeper’s MSc in sea lion whiskers,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-28725866
BBC 1 Ingenious Animals(2014) Sea lions use whiskers for balancing balls and finding fish,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07wsnpq
Canadian Discovery Channel, The Daily Planet. 2010
Radio
HEART Radio
BBC Radio Lancashire
Radio Wave,
Key 103.4
Newspapers and Articles
Marketing Lancashire
https://www.marketinglancashire.com/news/blackpool-zoo-keeper-secures-prestigious-fellowship/
About Manchester
https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/the-hunting-habits-of-sea-lions/
Wired - Sensitive sea lion whiskers get the job done,
https://www.wired.com/2014/10/sensitive-sea-lion-whiskers-get-job-done/
Manchester Metropolitan University
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/?id=2717
Sea World
Discover Animals
https://www.discoveranimals.co.uk/news/keeper-gets-seal-ion-of-approval-for-phd-study/
Dive Magazine
http://divemagazine.co.uk/life/7891-sea-lions-blue-planet-ii
Blackpool Gazette:Top sea lion trainer to be featured on BBC show.
Daily Mail - Animal trainer gets Masters degree for her research into how sea lion whiskers work
Mirror
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/zoo-animal-trainer-awarded-masters-4038124
Blackpool Gazette
Times of Malta
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/by-a-whisker.531505
Podcasts
Marine Mammal Science Podcast (2022)