Hi! I’m Leo and I’m a recent masters graduate from the MSc by Research Entomology course in the University of Reading. I have always been absolutely enthralled by insects, which I theorise stems from my experience visiting family in Japan as a child and taking part in the “mushitori” or insect collecting culture there. I completed my undergraduate degree in Climate and Environmental Sustainability in Dublin City University with the goal to further explore the effects of climate change on global insect populations. My masters dissertation topic was on assessing the impact of drought on ant-aphid mutualistic interactions, and I hope to study in this space more going forward as my dream career is to become a climate entomologist (ideally focusing on ants because they are my favourite lil group of critters~).

I enjoy taking part in macro photography and ant keeping as hobbies and try to spread my love of entomology on my Instagram page @friendly.neighbourhood.bug where I showcase some of the local invertebrate diversity in Ireland and wherever else I end up. I’m really looking forward to meeting more entomologists in this space and seeing what drew people into this amazing field!