After I graduated in 2005 from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) with a BSc (Hons) in Biology, I completed my MPhil in 2008, focused on molecular phylogeny of crustaceans and cephalopods. Later that year, I received the Croucher Foundation Scholarship and joined the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) to begin my DPhil research within WildCRU’s long-term Badger Project.

My research interests span the fields of evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology. My current research is focused on the genetic basis of pathogen resistance and mate choice. On a finer scale, I examine individual variation within a family of genes called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which plays a crucial role in fighting against pathogen invasion. In addition, I investigate the relationships between the MHC genes and body odour. My study is to examine whether the MHC genes in badgers affect their pathogen burdens, body odour and ultimately their mate choice

Email: yungwa.sin@zoo.ox.ac.uk.