Overview

I am currently working with the University of Exeter, in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory, on a NERC funded project considering the biological and ecological impacts of microplastics in the marine environment.

Qualifications

• PhD.
• MSc Aquatic Biology & Resource Management (Distinction & Dean’s Commendation). 
• BSc Biosciences (First Class with Honours & Dean’s Commendation). 

Career

• Research Fellow. University of Exeter: July 2014 – present.
• Research Scientist. Plymouth Marine Laboratory: April 2014 – June 2014.

Links

• List of publications

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Research

Research interests

My research interests relate to the impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on aquatic life. Currently I am investigating how microscopic plastic (microplastic) pollution is impacting upon marine ecosystems. The NERC funded project explores the risks microplastic poses to the health and ecological function of marine zooplankton. 

Research projects

• Synergistic impacts of microplastics and ocean acidification on zooplankton in the Southern Ocean (NERC GW4+ PhD). 
• Microplastics in the marine environment: From top to bottom​ (NERC GW4+ PhD). 
• Bioavailability and biological effects of microscopic plastic debris in the ocean (NERC funded project).

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External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

• Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) European annual conference (Brussels: May 2017). Session chair.
• Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) aquatic sciences meeting (Granada, Spain: February 2015). Session co-chair.

Competitively funded studentships and postdoctoral fellowships

• Synergistic impacts of microplastics and ocean acidification on zooplankton in the Southern Ocean (NERC GW4+ PhD). British Antarctic Survey / University of Exeter: October 2017.
• Microplastics in the marine environment: From top to bottom​ (NERC GW4+ PhD). Plymouth Marine Laboratory / University of Exeter: October 2017.

Conferences and invited presentations

• Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) European annual conference (Brussels: May 2017). ‘Interactions between microplastics and biota in the marine environment’ (poster).
• Micro2016 – Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: From the Coastline to the Open Sea (Lanzarote, Spain: May 2016). ‘Reconsidering the toxicity of microplastics: microfibres’ (oral).
• Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) aquatic sciences meeting (Granada, Spain: February 2015). ‘Impact of microplastics on zooplankton’ (oral).
• Pollution and the Marine Environment conference (Plymouth: September 2014). ‘Ingestion and egestion of microplastics by zooplankton’ (poster).
• Ocean Plastic – Consequences and Solutions Meeting (Falmouth: July 2014). ‘Impact of microplastics on marine zooplankton’ (oral). 

Media Coverage

• BBC One, InsideOut (October 2015). 
• BBC Two, Springwatch (May 2015). 
• BBC One, The One Show (March 2015). 

Research funding

• Bioavailability and biological effects of microscopic plastic debris in the ocean. NERC standard grant.
• Investigating microplastic contamination in coastal waters. Plymouth Marine Laboratory / University of Exeter collaboration fund.

Significant Impact

• 'Plankton, Plastic & Poo' educational resources. http://digitalexplorer.com/resources/bank/?collection=plastic-oceans-14-16

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Teaching

• Supervision of postgraudate and undergraduate students.
• Teaching on undergraduate marine biology module.

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Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

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