Postdoctoral Researcher, REDRESS project
I am a marine biologist with a background in population genetics, applied within the context of marine management. My research focuses on understanding the evolutionary processes that shape population structure in marine invertebrates, and how this knowledge can inform conservation and management strategies in a changing ocean.
My current work, as part of the REDRESS European project, centres on the restoration of cold-water coral reefs damaged by bottom trawling. I lead the translocations of cold-water corals from decommissioned oil platforms in the North Sea to the Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA. In collaboration with the Conservation Genetics Group at University of Edinburgh, I apply genomic tools to ensure that translocated populations provide adequate genetic diversity for the restoration site. I also investigate the population genetic structure of cold-water corals across their distribution to identify barriers and pathways that have shaped their distribution.
I completed my PhD at Heriot-Watt University, where I examined the marine connectivity of the king scallop to refine stock assessment areas in the UK. During my PhD, I was a visiting researcher with the Conservation Genetics Group at University of Edinburgh and a member of the ICES Scallop Assessment Working Group, contributing research to improve our understanding of scallop populations and fisheries management.
Please send me an email if you’d like to get in touch.
changingoceans.com 