Felix Walker

A single-author methodological framework for the comparative biology of vocal learning. Syrinx encodes avian song as symbolic sequence data and applies tools from genomic bioinformatics — pairwise sequence alignment with empirically derived substitution matrices, distance-based phylogenetic reconstruction, and an error-controlled inferential pipeline built around multiple regression on distance matrices — to the question of whether evolutionary history constrains the cultural transmission of song.

Three preregistered hypotheses are tested across three biological scales. At the genus scale, acoustic distance is regressed against molecular phylogenetic distance across the leaf-warbler genus Phylloscopus (c. 80 species). At the UK scale, regional acoustic diversity in Phylloscopus trochilus is tested against 1995-baseline BTO Breeding Bird Survey trends, predicting that declining regions show reduced acoustic diversity through demographic erosion of the tutor pool. At the within-population scale, dialect structure is tested against geographic isolation, extending the chaffinch dialect paradigm of Lachlan & Slater (2003) to a new species using sequence-alignment-derived rather than feature-correlation-derived distance measures.

Implemented in Python 3.11 with an R backend for the MRM and PGLS components. Operates on publicly available Xeno-canto recordings on standard hardware. Released open-source.

A modular suite of more than twenty bioinformatics tools spanning conservation genomics, CRISPR analysis, ancient DNA processing, and genomic reconstruction modelling. Tools currently include a Genomic Resurrection Readiness Scorer (developed initially against the thylacine / Tasmanian devil case), a CRISPR Base Editor Window Visualiser, a Horizontal Gene Transfer Risk Assessor, a Synonymous Variant Scorer, and an Ancient DNA Damage Classifier, alongside infrastructure for sequence handling, comparative annotation, and pipeline composition.

An independent biology publication featuring long-form scientific exploration and short-form essays. The Biome runs original writing on questions in genomics, evolution, ecology, and the methods of the biological sciences, edited to a register that takes both rigour and prose seriously.

An ongoing literature review of CRISPR mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and ethical considerations, drawing on primary literature and emerging clinical trial data. Independent practical work in DNA barcoding for biodiversity studies, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR amplification, and COI sequence analysis using BLAST and reference databases. The full Rosalind bioinformatics problem set completed.

Literary nonfiction on East Fife Football Club's 1938 Scottish Cup victory — the only occasion a non-top-flight club has won the trophy — set against the industrial history of the Levenmouth coalfield and the community that produced the team. Written in the register of John Prebble's long-form histories of Scotland.

A Gàidhlig-language short film entered to FilmG, Scotland's national Gaelic film competition. Written and directed, with original score composed for the piece.

Performs nightly with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo before approximately 9,000 live audience members and a global broadcast audience. Pooley Sword nominee in 2024 and 2025; selected for the 2026 Australia and New Zealand tour.

Lone Piper at the national Armistice Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, November 2024.

Founder and operator of Ceòlmhor, an independent piping performance and tuition enterprise, with professional engagements across Scotland including Stirling Castle, Burns Cottage (National Trust for Scotland), and the New Club, Edinburgh. Students taught across Scotland and internationally.

Served as an Officer Cadet with the British Army (June–August 2024), performing ceremonial duties with the Scottish National Infantry Yeomanry Pipes and Drums.

Assistant tutor at James Gillespie's High School pipe band since November 2023, providing weekly instruction and mentorship to beginner pipers and drummers.

Reading Biochemistry at the University of Glasgow from September 2026. Educated at St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh (2014–2016), then James Gillespie's High School, Edinburgh (2016–2022) — Advanced Highers in Biology, Chemistry, and History; Highers, five As and a B.

Competitive swimmer at Warrender Baths Club. Scottish National Short Course Championships finalist, December 2024; British Universities Swimming League finalist, April 2024.

Native speaker of English and Scottish Gàidhlig. Piano to ABRSM Grade 5. Co-founder of Benchwork Agency, an automation and CRM systems business serving UK trades.