Sancha Conway Holroyd

I am a PhD researcher in Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter, specialising in the ecophysiology, health, and welfare of aquatic invertebrates in aquaculture systems. My research focuses on commercially important species, particularly whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), and examines how environmental conditions and emerging technologies influence physiological performance, stress responses, and overall animal health.

My doctoral research investigates nanobubble technology as a novel aeration approach in shrimp aquaculture. This work evaluates the physical properties of nanobubbles, their influence on water chemistry, and the subsequent implications for shrimp health, welfare, and production performance. My PhD is conducted in close collaboration with a commercial shrimp farm in Guyana, supporting the application of research findings to real-world aquaculture systems.

Alongside my academic research, I bring experience from working at the science–policy interface within UK Government marine and fisheries policy, informing my focus on producing evidence that supports applied aquaculture management and decision-making.