Research interests

Characterising and understanding the human niche through time. To interpret change points in the relationship between humans and nature, and how this has contributed to the biodiversity crisis and climate change. 

Curriculum vitae

TEGAN FOISTER  

[email protected] 

   Education  

University of Helsinki                                                      Ongoing                              

I am currently studying and researching at the University of Helsinki as a doctoral student. My thesis is focused on early hominin environments in Eurasia. Using interdisciplinary approaches to model the niche of hominins as they dispersed out of Africa.  

University College London                                               2016 - 2020

I graduated from UCL in August 2020, with a first class honours degree in Human Science and Evolution (MSci). My master's thesis was entitled ‘Ecometric Modelling of Limb Proportions and Vegetation Index Among Non-Human Primates in South America.’ and is currently under review at Hystrix.  

Pangbourne College                                                        2013 - 2015  

I was offered a scholarship to study at Pangbourne College for sixth form based on my academic and sporting successes.

A2 Level: Biology (A*), Chemistry (A) and History (A)    AS Level: Physics (B) 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School                              2008 - 2013

GCSE Level: 5 A*, 6 A

    Research Experience   

Masters Research Project                                                Academic Year 2019/20 

In my masters research project I investigated if there is a correlation between New World Monkeys intermembral index and vegetative environmental factors. I contextualised my primary research within the conservation literature, particularly deforestation in the Amazon Basin. My supervisor and I adapted this project into a paper which is now published in Hystrix; The Italian Journal of Mammalogy. 

Individual University Project                                             Spring 2020  

As part of my studies at UCL I constructed an ecological niche model for seven of the tufted capuchin monkeys (Genus: Sapajus). Using R, ArcMap GIS and MaxENT I modelled the ecological niche of Sapajus apella. I then tested to see how well this model can predict the occurrence of the other six species (which used to be considered subspecies), using the ROC curve, to understand if there is niche conservation within the genus. 

Individual University Project                                             Autumn 2019  

As part of my studies at UCL I successfully identified to the species level a previously uncategorised specimen from the Grant Museum Collections. To complete this project I used the extensive collections of the GMZ for comparative study. 

Turkana Basin Institute Field School                                  Spring 2019 

I spent the spring term of the 2018/19 academic year studying at the field school in Lake Turkana, Kenya. The theoretical work was contextualised with excursions into the field to participate in paleontological and archaeological digs. Additional ecological field work was conducted collecting surveys at both the Turkana and Mpala reserve sites. Practical modules included; Geology, Ecology, Paleontology/Paleoecology, Human Evolution and Archaeology.   

Reserva Ecologica Taricaya, Madre de Dios, Peru                 April 2016

I volunteered for six weeks at this ecological reserve in the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon. This involved assisting with the management of the animals being rehabilitated there.As well as assisting researchers with ecological surveys and observation of animal behaviour.  

    Publications 

Foister, T. I.F., and Felice, R. N. (2021). Ecometric modelling of limb proportions and vegetation index among non-human primates in South America. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 32(1), pp.55-59. https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-00374-2020