Nicola Foster

Dr. Nicola Foster is a Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, affiliated with the School of Biological and Marine Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on coral populations across shallow, mesophotic, and deep-sea environments, investigating diversity, community structure, larval dispersal, and conservation implications. Current projects include studying mesophotic reefs in the British Indian Ocean Territory and the DeepLinks initiative exploring deep-sea connectivity. Her work integrates molecular techniques, modeling, and ecological analysis to address marine conservation challenges.

Teaching responsibilities include leading the BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography program and instructing courses on marine conservation, ecology, and field methodologies. She supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students annually, with notable advisees including Clara Diaz (PhD) and Katie Long (MRes).

Research interests emphasize the role of depth gradients, thermocline dynamics, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Recent studies highlight mesophotic coral resilience, ecosystem responses to extreme climatic events, and technological advancements in marine biodiversity monitoring, such as image databases and automated identification systems.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed. Her contributions span interdisciplinary collaboration, with a focus on ecological coherence in marine protected areas and bridging social-ecological conservation strategies.