Dr Ross Brown

About me:

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the Ecotoxicology and Aquatic Biology Research Group, based in Biosciences at the University of Exeter. Previously (1990-2014) I specialised in environmental risk/impact assessment in the chemical/pharmaceutical industry.

My research focuses on refining environmental risk assessment approaches to safeguard aquatic ecosystems from pollution and to facilitate the sustainable development of aquaculture. I employ molecular, ecotoxicological and ecological modelling and monitoring approaches to characterise and quantify the vulnerability of species, populations and assemblages to physical, chemical and (micro)biological factors (such as Harmful Algal Blooms).

Broad research specialisms:

Aquatic (eco)toxicology including: assessing the impacts of chemical, physical and biological stressors on aquatic organisms (e.g. fish); extrapolating effects measured in model species in the laboratory to adverse effects on wildlife populations and communities.

Molecular, population and community ecology including: population dynamics and population genetics, focusing mainly on finfish and shellfish; application of computational and biological test systems for predicting environmental effects of chemicals based on ecological life-histories, environmental stressor and food web interactions.

Environmental and human health assessments including: the integrated design of risk assessments for ultimately protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services (which benefit human health and wellbeing).

Current Research:

Understanding the effects of chemicals on aquatic organisms, populations, ecosystems and services.

Understanding aquaculture x environment interactions

Interests:

My broad research interests encompass the ecological effects of environmental stressors on individual organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems. My work centres on evaluating the ecological effects of environmental pollution on finish/shellfish health and population viability, in combination with climate change, habitat degradation and exploitation (fishing, aquaculture and agriculture). In order to evaluate and better manage the ecological and economic impacts of these interacting pressures, I have also developed a burgeoning research interest in natural capital and ecosystem service-based approaches.

Specific interests (from the individual to the ecosystem level)

• Defining “adverse outcome pathways” for chemicals with the aid of transgenic (TG) zebrafish models.
• Understanding the effects of genetic and environmental factors on population fitness in fish.
• Predicting the susceptibility of fish to endocrine disrupting chemicals (chronic reproductive toxicity) based on life-history traits and population modelling.
• Assessing & mitigating future risks of harmful algal blooms to wild fisheries & aquaculture.
• Whole catchment water quality management underpinning sustainable aquaculture development.
• Deriving specific protection goals for environmental risk assessment of chemicals based on an ecosystem services framework.

Qualifications:

BSc. (hons); MSc.; PhD.