Frances E. Hopkins

Dr. Frances E. Hopkins is a Marine Biogeochemist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), leading research on climate-active marine trace gases—primarily dimethyl sulfide (DMS). As coordinator of PML's Cleaner Seas Science to Impact Area, she drives stakeholder engagement for marine pollution research and communicates scientific impact to global audiences.

Her work investigates DMS biogeochemical cycling in surface oceans, emphasizing climate regulation through cloud formation. Key focus areas include ocean acidification impacts, coral-derived DMS emissions, and DMS-microplastic interactions affecting marine food webs. This research bridges climate science, biogeochemistry, and pollution studies to model Earth's climate feedback systems.

Dr. Hopkins secures major NERC funding including Large and Standard Grants, supporting projects like 'Constraining the Role of Sulfur in the Earth System.' She actively shapes PML's environmental strategy as co-lead of the LEAF laboratory sustainability initiative and contributes to net-zero carbon goals through the Environmental Management Team.

Complementing her research, she champions equity as PML's EDI Committee member and former Athena SWAN co-chair (2017-2022), achieving Bronze accreditation. Her public outreach includes BBC World Service features and Exeter Soapbox Science presentations on 'The smell of the sea, plankton, clouds and climate.'