A Bit About Me

I am a final year marine biology PhD student. Having started my PhD back in the March of 2018, my research focuses on quantifying carbon cycling pathways in shellfish beds. In particular, I am interested in routes of carbon deposition and release in habitats formed by the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis). With the latter of the two, being at the focus of international restoration efforts as well as a body of ongoing research into the ecosystem services associated with such habitats.

​

My work involves scuba diving, animal husbandry and drone surveys.

​

​

Previously, I was based at Bangor University of North Wales where I completed my BSc as a joint honor’s in Marine Biology and Zoology. My Bachelor’s project focused on the role of environmental parameters in maternal nest choice and subsequent hatchling success (as a factor of these parameters) in two sea turtle species (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas). The project was a collaboration with the NGOs Operation Wallacea and Centro Ecologico de Akumal (Mexico). During the research and data collection period in 2015 I was based in Akumal and worked closely with these organisations. Previously, I have also been based on remote sites in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

​

​

Following my first degree, I continued studying at the School of Ocean Sciences working towards my MSc in Marine Biology. My Master’s thesis investigated the response of the infaunal estuarine bivalve Erodona mactroides of Uruguay to seasonal hypoxic regimes. This work was carried out with a focus on the sclerochronological signatures observed within the specimens I worked on. In addition, comparative studies were conducted focusing on morphological changes observed between study sites. Comparisons were made through geometric morphometric mapping, Procrustes superimposition of landmarks, and Principal Component Analysis plots.

​

​

Through my current research, I hope to contribute to and build upon the current knowledge with regards to how marine bivalves respond to and shape their environment. While also providing methodologies and useful tools, which may be utilized to estimate and assess the carbon carrying capacity of a range of shellfish species and shellfish bed formations.

​

​

EDUCATION:

​

PhD student - Heriot-Watt University (2018 - present)

​

Marine Biology MSc - Bangor University (2016 - 2017)

​

Marine Biology and Zoology BSc - Bangor University (2013 - 2016)

​

​

EMPLOYMENT AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

​

Marine Sciences teaching support staff (Field and Laboratory) at Heriot-Watt Univeristy (2018 - present)

​

Research Scientist with the Dornoch Environment Enhancement Project (DEEP, 2018 - present)

Heriot-Watt Scientific diver and survey support (2018 - present)

​

Marine Sciences teaching support staff (Field and Laboratory) at Bangor Univeristy (2017 - 2018)

​

Undergraduate research assistant, contributing to PhD and MSc data collection at Bangor University (

2013 - 2014)

​

Operation Wallacea research assistant, Sulawesi (2014)

​

​

SCI-COMMS EXPERIENCE:

​

DEEP and Heriot-Watt public engagement team (engaging with a range of people from school children to adults at science festivals and through online talks) (2018 - present)

​

Brambell natural history museum PE volunteer at Bangor university (2015 - 2016)

​

​

AFFILITATIONS

​

• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMARest)

• Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA)

• Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland Grad School (MASTS)

• Scottish Blue Carbon Forum (SBCF)

• Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP)

• St Abbs Marine Station

• Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA)

• Native Oyster Network - UK and Ireland (NON)