How animals survive and adapt in tough environments was the topic for girls in Year 12 at the first talk of this year's Academic Lecture Programme.
Leading zoological researcher Dr Jenny Sneddon lifted the lid on projects she has worked on across the world in the lecture, also delivering some inspiring career advice and suggestions at the same time.
Dr Sneddon first studied under renowned Zoologist and biologist Pat Morris at Royal Holloway University, later going on to lead an investigation into how feral horses have adapted and even learned to thrive in the hostile environment of Namibia.
She also worked on a game and cattle ranch in Zimbabwe prior to gaining qualifications in tropical animal protection at the University of Edinburgh.
"Career is an interesting word as it both means a professional path but also to move in a somewhat wild and crazy way - I would say that both of these have been important in my own working life," said Jenny, a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.
Her scientific work revealed how horses and donkeys adapt to poor quality food sources and dehydration, relying on their large gut area to prevent shock to their systems.
She also encouraged the sixth formers to make the most of their own EPQ research projects, having worked with many young scientists taking part in the Nuffield research placement programme.
Her most recent supervisions have helped pupils with investigations into the impact of soil pollution on animals and even into reducing crop destruction by rabbits using non-harmful lasers to deter the furry pests.