ECR Spotlight – Kiara Haylock

Kiara Haylock

How did you become interested in biology?

I was born an Earth child with an innate curiosity about life and its processes, always asking why, how and what if – an unwavering curiosity that continues to nurture my passion for biology and research. For as long as I can remember I have been captivated by animals, plants and nature. Growing up, I spent hours in the garden collecting different plants, soil types and rocks to make mudpies and potions, climbing and sitting in trees to watch and talk to birds, and watching ants navigate the obstacle courses I constructed out of debris and water droplets.

In primary school, a natural science teacher, Mrs Rudolph, taught us in a lab-like classroom filled with tanks and enclosures containing fish, reptiles and small rodents. I distinctly remember sitting near the front row to watch the axolotl and seizing every opportunity to care for the animals in the lab or visit the large aviary outside to talk to the birds, rabbits and guinea pigs. Every year throughout primary school, I looked most forward to bringing home a giant shoe box stocked with silkworms to raise into moths (right up until the year my cat's curiosity peaked, and he taught me my firsthand lesson on the circle of life!)

My love for biology grew exponentially during high school after observing my first dissection – the lungs of a sheep! Little did I know that high school biology was just the tip of the biology iceberg. My undergraduate degree program cemented my unwavering love for biology and ignited a fire in my soul that I have yet to tame! With every lecture, experiment, dissection and microscopy practical – I was left fascinated, continually wanting to know more. As I progressed through my undergraduate degree, my curiosity evolved from simple questions about nature to more complex inquiries about biological mechanisms and processes.

Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus

When the time came to select a university degree program, I was quite uncertain about the best path to take to work with animals. I remember having a pivotal meeting with one of my very first mentors, Dr Cecile Reed, a lecturer at the University of Cape Town at that time. Her guidance led me to pursue a BSc in Biological Science, encouraging me to explore the various disciplines within the field and find my niche. I went on to major in Applied Biology, Ecology and Evolution and Marine Biology. By the end of my undergraduate degree, I had developed a keen interest in animal physiology, behaviour and ecology, but was quite perplexed by the isolation of these fields, particularly for large, terrestrial mammals, and was left eager to explore the intricate interconnectedness of these disciplines.

My research journey began in earnest during my BSc Honours year at the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, when I reached out to Dr Robyn Hetem and Prof. Francesca Parrini, distinguished researchers in conservation physiology and large mammal ecology, respectively. Their invaluable supervision and mentorship not only enabled me to initiate an ambitious research project, which evolved into my PhD research, but also played a pivotal role in my development as a researcher.

My PhD focuses on understanding the behavioural and physiological responses of a water-dependent, specialist antelope species, sable antelope (Hippotragus niger niger), to key environmental stressors. Specifically, I investigated how spatiotemporal variations in vegetation greenness and environmental heat load affect the home range size, movement distances, behavioural states of movement, fine-scale activity, microclimate selection, and body temperature of free-living sable antelopes. By combining movement ecology, behavioural ecology, and conservation physiology, I aimed to demonstrate a mechanistic basis for movement to resources by investigating the relationship between movement responses and fluctuations in body temperature, highlighting the usefulness of biologging and physiologging in complementing behavioural and ecological studies to provide a physiological basis for movement and activity.

How would you explain the main message of your paper to a member of the public?

Body temperature can reveal a lot about the internal health of large land animals. For instance, it can indicate if they're well-fed, hydrated, sick or even pregnant. An animal's internal health influences its movement decisions. For example, a hungry animal will search for food, a thirsty one will seek water, and a hot one may look for shade. By studying the link between the internal health (body temperature) and movement patterns of large land animals, we can improve our understanding of what internal processes (e.g. resource stress) drive these animals to move about the landscape and develop more effective strategies to protect them.

Why did you choose JEB to publish your paper?

Dr Robyn Hetem, the lead author of our paper, was invited to attend the 2024 Annual JEB Symposium: Integrating Biomechanics, Energetics and Ecology in Locomotion, where she presented on ‘biologging body temperature to quantify internal physiological state within the movement ecology paradigm’. As co-authors, with diverse expertise, we were thrilled by this opportunity to share our innovative ideas with the wider international scientific community. Our collective effort produced an insightful Commentary that we hope inspires future research that bridges disciplinary boundaries, driving innovation and progress in the field.

What do you enjoy most about research, and why?

I enjoy the process of research – all its twists, turns and breakthroughs – it keeps me on my toes! I particularly enjoy the dynamic interplay between problem-solving, personal and intellectual growth and collaborative learning. I appreciate every opportunity to explore complex questions, challenge assumptions and uncover new insights. I enjoy the challenge of developing new skills, critically evaluating evidence, and refining my thinking. The process of research allows me to satisfy my intellectual curiosity and contribute to the advancement of knowledge – it's a win-win! I also greatly value the collaborative nature of research. I'm particularly fond of research collaborations which bring together diverse perspectives and expertise from multiple backgrounds and disciplines to achieve a common goal. This collective approach fosters comprehensive problem-solving, enabling us to tackle complex problems, develop innovative solutions, and ultimately conduct high-quality, impactful research. Moreover, collaboration also fosters a sense of community and shared progress, mitigating the isolation often inherent in academic and research pursuits.

What is the most important piece of equipment for your research, what does it do and what question did it help you address?

Biologgers are the most important piece of equipment for my research. Biologgers are miniaturized devices implanted or attached to animals, that collect physiological, behavioural, movement, and/or environmental data remotely and continuously in the field, often over extended periods. Once logged, this data can be either transmitted to a receiver or stored onboard and downloaded at a later stage.

By biologging physiological measurements in the field, we can enhance our understanding of the movement ecology of free-living terrestrial mammals. For instance, biologging body temperature can help answer the question of ‘why move’ in the movement ecology framework. Because body temperature can provide an index of animal well-being by quantifying nutrition, hydration, reproductive status, and disease state, integrating body temperature measurements with fine-scale GPS movements can provide mechanistic insights into the physiological processes driving animal movement.

Do you have a top tip for others just starting out at your career stage?

Stay curious, stay hungry. Cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning and continuous growth where you never stop asking questions, seeking answers, challenging assumptions and exploring new perspectives. This mindset not only fuels personal and professional growth and development but also fosters resilience, adaptability and creativity in an ever-evolving field and ever-changing world. Be proactive and opportunistic: seize every chance to learn, collaborate, and grow – whether through networking, mentorship, or hands-on experiences. These connections will not only broaden your expertise but open doors to unforeseen opportunities.

What's next for you?

After being awarded my PhD, I will be taking up a postdoctoral research position within the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. I intend to use this opportunity to continue finding innovative ways to integrate physiological measurements into movement and behavioural ecology analyses.

I also plan to establish a multidisciplinary research group focused on integrating animal physiology, behaviour, movement, and ecology. By bridging these disciplines, we will tackle complex biological questions to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between animals and their environments. This integrative approach will contribute to evidence-based conservation strategies and drive innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues. I warmly welcome enthusiastic researchers to join my dynamic research collective. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or learning more about the research group, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.