Dr Robyn A Grant

My profile

Biography

I am a Reader in Comparative Physiology and Behaviour at Manchester Metropolitan University. I am a Sensory Biologist specialising in somatosensation. I am the Editor-in Chief for Mammal Review.

I address fundamental questions about the form and function of vertebrate touch sensing by adopting an interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, my work focusses on facial touch sensors -  whiskers in mammals and rictal bristles in birds. My research answers questions in the following areas:

  • What behaviours and movements are associated with touch sensing?
  • Why is the shape of the touch sensor and the anatomy of the follicle so diverse?
  • How did facial touch sensing evolve?
  • How does neurodegeneration effect sensing and locomotion?
  • How can whiskers inform other disciplines, such as robotics, mathematics and mechanics?

Interests and expertise

I am passionate about discovering and disseminating my research. Therefore, I contribute to many external research initiatives, such as:

  • Grant Review Panels (BBSRC, BES, NIH)
  • Grant Review College (BES)
  • Grant Reviewer (BBSRC, MRC, Human Brain Project, EC)
  • Editor-in-chief Mammal Review
  • Journal Editing (PLOS Computational Biology, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Frontiers in Neurorobotics, Sports Engineering, Journal of Neuroscience Methods)
  • Article Reviewer for many journals, including PNAS, Proceedings Royal Society, PLOS One, PLOS Biology, Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience etc
  • Lifelong Fellow at the Software Sustainability Institute
  • Advisor for the Mammal Society, International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, Mindsets + Missions Programme
  • Public Engagement with schools, museums and zoos around the United Kingdom

Projects

  • 2022 - 2025 Evolution Education Trust Walk on the Wild Side: canid gait
  • 2021-2024 Royal Society APEX Grant MMMMammalWhiskers: Morphology, Mechanics and Movement of Mammalian Whiskers
  • 2021 – 2024 BBSRC Discovery Fellowship Super Seal Sense: Whisker movement control in Pinnipeds, grant writer and mentor to Dr Alyx Milne 
  • 2021 Bedtime Stories for Very Young Engineers Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious Public Engagement Award Participant
  • 2019 – 2021 EPSRC Friction Innovation Fund Whisker TacTip: Using robotic sensors to give insights into biological surface interactions
  • 2018 – 2021 EPSRC Modelling the Mechanics of Animal Whiskers (MMEAW)

https://www.mmu.ac.uk/research/research-centres/ecology-environment/projects/touch-sensing-mammals

Teaching

I teach comparative anatomy and behaviour. Comparative anatomy and behaviour is great! It’s an amazing way to appreciate the patterns of diversity in the natural world, and discover the functional significance of anatomical structures and behaviours. Specifically, I teach:

  • comparative anatomy on the following units: Comparative Anatomy, Physiology & Behaviour, Control & Coordination of Behaviour, Vertebrate Evolution.  
  • comparative animal behaviour on the units: Fieldtrip, Brain and Behaviour, Practical Techniques and Analysis
  • video analysis techniques on the units: Practical Techniques and Analysis

I am the unit leader for the MSc Zoos & Conservation Unit, in collaboration with Chester Zoo, and BSc unit Comparative Anatomy, Physiology & Behaviour. I am the Programme Leader for MSc Zoo Conservation Biology and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Supervision

Current PhD Students:

  • Harry Gill (2023 - Present) Walk on the wild side: Canid gair project
  • Katie Todd (2023 - Present) Sensing water movements in Pinnipeds
  • Steve Spurrier (2019 - Present) Designing a bio-inspired climbing shoe
  • Ugne Simanaviciute (2019-2024) Standardising whisker testing in rodent models of disease
  • Michal Zatrak (2018-Present) Seal health and welfare in rehabilitation centers
  • Emma Clear (2018 - Present) Mustelid reproductive biomechanics

Completed PhD Students:

  • Michael Foley (2016 - 2022) Synthesis and bioevaluation of Spirocyclic Alkaloids
  • Mariane Delaunay (2016-2022) The form and function of avian rictal bristles
  • Rana Osama S Khayat (2016-2019) The cause and effect of wing tears on bats
  • Alyx Milne (2015-2019) Active touch sensing and cognition in pinnipeds
  • Brett Hewitt (2014-2018) Image analysis toolbox for whisker tracking
  • Kendra Arkley (2010-2013) Strategy change in vibrissal active sensing during locomotion in rat

MRes Students

  • Natasha Mynett (2019-Present) Electrosensing in cetaceans. Manchester Met University
  • Leah Greenhalgh (2016-2017) Synthesis and arachnid testing of legal highs. Manchester Met University
  • Mariane Delaunay (2014-2015) Anatomy and morphology of rictal bristles in Caprimulgiformes. University of Poitiers, France 
  • Anna Sperber (2011-2012) The role of orienting in vibrissal touch. University of Marburg, Germany 

Research outputs

Career history

2024 - Present

Editor-in-chief Mammal Review

2022-Present

Reader in Comparative Physiology and Behaviour, Manchester Metropolitan University

2017-2022

Senior Lecturer in Comparative Physiology and Behaviour, Manchester Metropolitan University

2014-Present

Lifelong Fellow Software Sustainability Institute

2012-2017

Lecturer in Environmental Physiology, Manchester Metropolitan University

2011-2012

Associate Lecturer in Biopsychology, Open University

2011-2012

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Sheffield

2010-2011

Postdoctoral Researcher, Marine Science Center, University of Rostock

2008 - 2012

Research Project Manager, BIOTACT, University of Sheffield

2006 - 2010

PhD Neuroethology, University of Sheffield

2002-2005

BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, University of Plymouth

Press and media

TV

  • Canadian Discovery Channel, The Daily Planet. 2010
  • Your Hairness. 2011 
  • BBC Springwatch. 2012
  • Beyond Production Company, Wild But True. 2014
  • Work featured on Autumnwatch (2015, 2016)
  • BBC Ingenious Animals. 2016

Radio

  • Local Radio (2012-Present)
  • Talk Radio Paul Ross Show. 2018
  • BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show. 2019
  • Radio documentary for Digital Planet on BBC World Service. 2020

Podcasts

  • Marine Mammal Science Podcast (3 podcasts on whiskers) 2021
  • Tumble Podcast: “whisking away” and “The science of whiskers” 2018
  • Natural History Museum Live YouTube Channel and Podcast 2018