The funding will (hopefully) allow us to study how ants can use nest architecture to protect themselves against epidemics whilst maintaining collective performance - and maybe reveal new architectural principles that could inspire human buildings in a distant future…?

I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to work on ant nest architecture over the next 5 year!🐜🏛️
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science

Architectural immunity: Ants alter their nest networks to prevent epidemics In animal groups, spatial structure shapes social interaction patterns, thereby influencing the transmission of infectious diseases. Active modifications to the spatial environment could therefore be ...

We had two papers out in Science and Scientific Reports in the past week - I couldn't be happier!

Science paper on architectural immunity:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Scientific Reports paper on the synergistic interaction between new-generation pesticide and disease:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...

Fully-funded PhD position on optimal network design in ant nests and slime mould, which will be split between the University of Bristol (UK) and Macquarie University (Australia) - application deadline: Friday 21st March.

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Please check the links and contact me if you are interested in applying!

3: Responsive building by social insects findaphd.com/phds/project...

4: Disease signalling in social insects www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Looking for candidates for four competition-funded PhD (start Sep 2025).
1: Synergies between nest architecture and division of labour findaphd.com/phds/project...

2: Architectural immunity in ants www.findaphd.com/phds/project...