Agathe Racine
Master en biologie
agathe.racine@unine.ch
Interests
I’ve always had a passion for animals and nature, which is why I chose to study biology to help protect them. My Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biology enabled me to acquire a solid understanding of the complex workings of ecosystems, and to specialize in the conservation of ecosystems and the animal species they shelter. This career path is a source of great fulfillment for me, and seems all the more relevant in the current climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.
Project
My thesis, to be carried out in Switzerland, will focus on the use of olfaction by red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) to select their food. I will carry out various chemical analyses on the seeds of tree species, notably beech, to determine whether volatile compounds or other chemical properties play a predominant role in squirrels’ choice of seeds. This project will contribute to a better understanding of the feeding strategies of this small mammal.
