Catherine Whatley

Catherine Whatley has extensive experience in herpetology and conservation, beginning as a Volunteer Assistant at Manchester Museum, where care was provided for rare Costa Rican frogs and other amphibians. This experience was complemented by a placement year at the Zoological Society of London, focusing on research projects related to amphibian care and conservation education. Catherine also served as a Herpetology Intern at Chester Zoo, conducting research on dietary impacts for specific frog species. Since October 2020, Catherine has been a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of the West of Scotland, researching non-destructive biomarkers in common frogs. Transitioning to professional roles, Catherine has been the Reptile and Amphibian Policy and Advice Officer at NatureScot since October 2023, after a role as a Herpetological Research Assistant at Manchester Metropolitan University, which involved overseeing research tasks and mentoring students. Catherine holds a Master of Science in Zoo Conservation Biology from The Manchester Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from The University of Manchester.