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Professor Jason Hall-Spencer is a globally recognized marine biologist at the University of Plymouth and a full professor at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), with an adjunct role at Xiamen University. His research focuses on ocean acidification, invasive species (e.g., lionfish), and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. He pioneered the use of underwater CO2 seeps as natural analogues for climate change studies, a methodology now adopted globally. His work has influenced policies to protect deep-water corals and Arctic reefs, and he leads projects like RELIONMED to combat lionfish invasions in the Mediterranean. Education: Studied Applied Marine Biology at Heriot-Watt University, completed a PhD on coralline algae at Millport Marine Station, and conducted fieldwork across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. His career includes discovering UK deep-water coral reefs and Arctic reefs, leading to their legal protection. Research Interests: Ocean acidification effects on marine organisms, invasive species management, CO2 seep dynamics, coral reef ecology, and marine conservation. His work combines field experiments, policy advocacy, and community engagement to address global marine challenges. Grants and Collaborations: Secured €1.7M from the EU Life Programme for lionfish control and a $400K grant on plankton dynamics. Collaborates with organizations like the Marine Biological Association and international researchers on projects such as the Ocean Organ to visualize CO2 impacts. Labs/Teams: Leads the Marine Conservation Research Group at Plymouth, coordinating initiatives like RELIONMED and influencing global marine policies through partnerships with governments and NGOs.

• Marine Biology
• Ocean Acidification
• Climate Change Impacts
• +5 more

Prof Andrea Manica is a Professor of Evolutionary Ecology and Deputy Head of Department (Research) at the University of Cambridge, Department of Zoology. Her research spans ecological and evolutionary time scales, integrating climate reconstructions, paleontological data, ecological datasets, and genetic information to understand species' responses to environmental change. Research Areas: Population Genetics, Species Distribution Models, Paleoclimate Reconstructions, Human Evolutionary Ecology Key Tools: Development of open-source R packages like tidypopgen and tidygenclust for population genetics and data analysis Focus Taxa: Seabirds (albatrosses, petrels), sharks, turtles, bears, and Homo sapiens Her work addresses questions such as: How do animals adapt movement strategies to changing environments using tracking data? What drives range changes and genetic differentiation in species like leopards and giraffes? How did climatic shifts influence human evolution, migration, and cultural innovations? What computational tools can interrogate large datasets across space and time? Her interdisciplinary approach combines computational models, fieldwork, and collaborations with institutions like the British Antarctic Survey.

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Population Genetics
• Species Distribution Models
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Dr. David Evans is a Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Southampton with expertise in paleoclimate reconstruction and marine geochemistry. His research focuses on understanding climate-Earth surface interactions through geochemical proxies, experimental culturing of marine organisms, and numerical modeling. He leads several major projects funded by the Royal Society and UKRI aimed at refining paleoclimate reconstructions. Dr. Evans investigates Cenozoic warm periods (particularly the early Eocene) to evaluate climate model performance and understand climate-biosphere interactions. His work centers on: 1) Reconstructing boundary conditions affecting geochemical proxies, especially seawater composition; and 2) Understanding biomineralization processes in key archives like foraminifera to ensure accurate proxy applications through geologic time. His publications (2024-2025) predominantly focus on marine biomineralization, paleoclimate proxies, and carbonate geochemistry, with frequent applications of isotope techniques and experimental approaches. Research consistently emphasizes methodological improvements in geochemical analyses and proxy validation. He currently supervises four PhD students across biological sciences and oceanography. His research group is part of the Geochemistry unit and Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. Major active projects include Horizon Europe's AMOEBA initiative and a correlative cryo-analytical center development.

• Cenozoic palaeoclimate
• Palaeoceanography
• Biomineralisation
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Dr. Chiara Bertelli is a Lecturer in Biosciences at Swansea University within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics. With over 15 years of experience in coastal and marine ecological surveys, she specializes in seagrass ecology and restoration, marine conservation, and habitat suitability modeling. Dr. Bertelli has extensive field experience including boat-based surveys, SCUBA diving, and snorkeling in both temperate and tropical environments. She is currently completing her PhD part-time focusing on environmental drivers of change in seagrass meadows in the UK and Brazil. Her educational background includes advanced training in marine biology with specialization in ecological survey techniques and data analysis using R and Primer. Her primary research focuses on seagrass ecology as nature-based solutions for climate change. She develops habitat suitability models to inform optimal locations for seagrass restoration, with applications in carbon sequestration (blue carbon) and marine biodiversity enhancement. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water). Analysis of Dr. Bertelli's recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of seagrass research to inform restoration efforts. Her work spans habitat suitability modeling, environmental stress responses, nutrient dynamics, and decision-support tool development. A significant portion addresses seed-based restoration techniques, ecosystem services, and the socio-ecological dimensions of marine conservation. Dr. Bertelli actively collaborates with external organizations including Project Seagrass, Sky Ocean Rescue, WWF, Natural England, and the National Oceanographic Centre. Her current ReSOW project aims to develop the CEEDS (Coastal Ecosystem Enhancement Decision Support) tool, an open-source platform to guide seagrass restoration practitioners. As an educator, Dr. Bertelli teaches several field-based marine biology courses including BIO260 Marine Biology Field Course, BIO327 Tropical Marine Ecology Field Course, and BIO346 Professional Skills in Marine Biology. Her teaching emphasizes practical, field-based learning and professional skill development for marine biologists, with a focus on survey techniques, data analysis, and environmental impact assessment. Dr. Bertelli is actively involved in research teams focused on marine ecosystem restoration and coastal management. Her work bridges academic research with practical conservation applications, working closely with government agencies, NGOs, and international research partners to translate scientific findings into actionable conservation strategies.

• Seagrass Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Habitat Suitability Modeling
• +5 more

Alison Copeland is a Research Postgraduate (PhD) in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University. Her research focuses on Bermuda’s vegetation communities, particularly invasive plant species and their interactions with indigenous flora. Previously, she served as Biodiversity Officer for Bermuda’s Government, leading projects like the IUCN Red Listing of endemic plants and the Governor Laffan’s Fern recovery initiative. She holds an MSc in Geography from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), where her thesis involved seabed habitat mapping in Newman Sound fjord using multibeam sonar and field sampling. Her expertise spans marine and terrestrial conservation, with a focus on endangered species recovery, habitat management, and translating science into policy. Key affiliations include MUN’s Marine Habitat Mapping Group and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Awards include the Durham Doctoral Studentship (Faculty of Science) and a Bermuda Public Service Education Award. Her recent work highlights invasive species dynamics in island ecosystems, biodiversity assessments, and policy frameworks for conservation. She has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing habitat mapping methodologies, invasive species management, and endangered species recovery strategies. Awards: $3000 Garden Club of Bermuda Grant (PhD support) Fellow of MUN’s School of Graduate Studies Grants: Durham Doctoral Studentship (2022–present) Her PhD project investigates the ecological origins and interactions of invasive plants in Bermuda, bridging field research with policy recommendations to enhance biodiversity protection.

• Biodiversity Conservation
• Invasive Species Management
• Endangered Species Recovery
• +4 more

Professor Phyllis Lam is a faculty member at the University of Southampton within the School of Ocean and Earth Science , where she serves as the Professor of Microbial Biogeochemistry (2024–present). She leads the Marine Biogeochemistry Research Group and the Environmental Genomics Sequencing Facility . Her research focuses on microbial roles in biogeochemical cycles, particularly nitrogen and carbon dynamics in marine systems. Education: PhD in Oceanography (University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2004); BSc in Oceanography with Marine Biology (University of Southampton, 1998) Her work integrates molecular ecology, isotopic analyses, and modeling to study microbial interactions in global change contexts. Key projects include Nitrogen cycling in ocean twilight zones , carbon remineralization in mesopelagic environments , and greenhouse gas pathways . She supervises PhD students and collaborates internationally on interdisciplinary initiatives. Teaching & Supervision: Engaged in marine microbiology education and advises PhD students in the INSPIRE and Biological Sciences programs.

• Microbial Biogeochemistry
• Nitrogen Cycle
• Carbon Cycle
• +4 more

Dr. Bryony Caswell is a Senior Lecturer in Marine Science at the University of Hull's School of Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering). She specializes in paleontology, marine ecosystem functioning, and the impacts of climate change and deoxygenation on marine environments. Her research integrates historical and modern data to address contemporary environmental challenges, including plastic pollution and offshore wind energy impacts. Research Interests: Historical marine ecosystems and functional connectivity Benthic community responses to anoxic events and climate change Impacts of ocean deoxygenation on marine biodiversity Plastic pollution in marine food webs Ecological resilience and recovery post-extinction events Key Projects: BEcoWIND: Sustainable offshore wind expansion balancing biodiversity preservation Q-MARE: Disentangling climate vs. human impacts on marine ecosystems NERC Discipline Hopping: Integrating paleontological and modern data for marine evidence Her publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, linking geological records with modern ecological challenges. She co-supervises graduate students exploring microplastics in Antarctic fish and benthic ecosystem dynamics. Caswell collaborates with international groups like the ICES Working Group on Fish and Fisheries History.

• Marine Ecosystems
• Paleontology
• Ocean Deoxygenation
• +4 more

Dr. Fran Cabada-Blanco is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead (Post Graduate Taught) at the University of Portsmouth's Faculty of Science & Health, affiliated with the School of the Environment and Life Sciences. Her research focuses on marine biodiversity conservation, integrating ecological and socio-economic approaches. She holds a Doctorate in conservation and marine resource management, emphasizing rare species monitoring and technology-driven ecological assessments. Her teaching responsibilities include coordinating MSc courses in Applied Aquatic Biology, Science Communication, and Ecological Research Methods. She contributes to undergraduate modules in Marine Ecology, Biogeography, and Ecophysiology. Her research spans coral reef dynamics, socio-ecological systems, and endangered species conservation. Recent work includes mangrove restoration strategies, coral reef health assessments in Venezuela, and softshell turtle conservation in India. She collaborates globally, with publications in Science of the Total Environment , PLoS One , and Frontiers in Marine Science . Her contributions include over 17 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on marine biodiversity, conservation frameworks, and ecosystem resilience. She is affiliated with the Centre for Blue Governance, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions for marine sustainability.

• Marine Conservation
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Coral Reef Ecology
• +3 more

Robert Hall is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, affiliated with the Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Collaborative Centre for Sustainable Use of the Seas. He holds a PhD in Physical Oceanography from University of Liverpool (2009) and MOcean degree from University of Southampton (2005). His research focuses on shelf sea and deep ocean fluid dynamics with emphasis on flow-topographic interactions, internal wave generation, turbulent mixing processes, and interdisciplinary impacts on biogeochemical fluxes. He utilizes autonomous platforms like ocean gliders and leads international field campaigns in challenging environments including Antarctica and the Galápagos. His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on polar processes, ocean mixing mechanisms, and climate interactions, with consistent themes in ice shelf dynamics, internal wave impacts, and advanced observational techniques across 15+ studies. Awards: Challenger Society for Marine Science Fellow (2021) Research Leadership: Principal Investigator for multiple NERC projects including MISSING LINK, eSWEETS3 and PISCES Coordinates PhD students working on internal wave dynamics, carbon cycling, and Antarctic processes Leads the UEA Glider Group conducting worldwide missions

• Physical Oceanography
• Internal Wave Dynamics
• Turbulent Mixing
• +2 more

Dr. Eoin O'Gorman is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Essex. His research investigates the impacts of global change across multiple levels of ecological organisation, from individual metabolism to ecosystem processes, with a particular focus on food web dynamics and body size as a functional trait. BSc, University College Cork (2004) PhD, University College Cork (2009) Current research projects include: Warming effects on trophic interactions Anthropogenic stressors in marine and freshwater systems Body size scaling in ecological networks Food web stability under climate change Recent work demonstrates how warming alters plankton body-size distributions (2025), simplifies freshwater food webs through multiple stressors (2025), and reduces trophic diversity in high-latitude ecosystems (2024). His studies span marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, seeking universal responses to environmental change. Current grants include: 2024 WebDNA: Food web reconstruction through environmental DNA analysis (Leverhulme Trust) 2023 Predicting Impacts of Global Environmental Change on Ecological Networks (NERC) 2022 ORBIT: Offshore Renewables and Benthic Communities (NERC) Supervises PhD candidates studying: Zelin Chen: Offshore structures' impacts on North Sea biodiversity Patrick Eskuche Keith: Southern Ocean food web dynamics Anamika Poyil: Environmental biology of marine communities

• Global Change Ecology
• Food Web Structure and Stability
• Climate Change Effects on Ecosystems
• +3 more

Professor Clare Peddie is a distinguished academic in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews, with dual expertise in Marine Biology and cancer/physiological research. She holds a Professorial appointment and contributes to both teaching and research initiatives focusing on diving physiology, scientific diving methodologies, and the pedagogical value of fieldwork experiences. Her work emphasizes employability development through leadership training in fieldwork contexts. Her research spans marine ecology (particularly coral reef dynamics and benthic structure interactions) and medical physiology (including myelodysplastic syndromes and radiation-induced carcinogenesis). She has collaborated internationally on projects addressing educational internationalisation and interdisciplinary marine conservation efforts. Professor Peddie has authored/co-authored over 13 peer-reviewed publications across marine science, oncology, and educational policy. Her recent work explores coral trait plasticity and niche construction mechanisms, while earlier studies investigated cellular responses to radiation and genetic abnormalities in cancer models. She actively participates in academic leadership roles, including conference organisation and external examining.

• Marine Biology
• Diving Physiology
• Scientific Diving Techniques
• +5 more

Maria Alguero-Muniz is a Researcher at the University of Glasgow , affiliated with the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine . Her work focuses on ocean acidification impacts , plankton community dynamics , and marine ecosystem responses to environmental stressors. Her research spans plankton physiology , trophic interactions , and climate change adaptation in marine systems. Recent projects include eDNA metabarcoding for aquaculture monitoring and upwelling simulations to study carbon cycling. Maria's publications (2012–2025) reveal a thematic focus on marine biogeochemistry , zooplankton ecology , and novel species taxonomy . Key collaborations include institutions studying pelagic food webs and CO2-driven ecological shifts . Scientific awards include funding from The Royal Society of Edinburgh (2021–2022) for planktonic threat monitoring in salmon aquaculture. Her work has been published in Nature Climate Change , Global Biogeochemical Cycles , and Frontiers in Marine Science .

• Marine Biology
• Ocean Acidification
• Plankton Ecology
• +3 more

Hachem Kassem is a Lecturer in Ocean Engineering at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the School of Ocean and Earth Science. He specializes in coastal hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics, and nature-based solutions to climate-mediated geohazards. His current roles include leading the MSc Programme in Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience and managing coastal research laboratories equipped with flumes and sediment analysis facilities. Education and Career: Hachem holds a PhD and MSc in relevant fields, and has been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His career includes: 2022–present: Lecturer in Ocean Engineering, University of Southampton 2017–2021: Teaching and Research Fellow in Coastal Morphodynamics 2015–2017: Part-time Teaching Fellow in Coastal Morphodynamics and GIS 2010–2012: Lecturer in Civil Engineering at The London College Research Interests: Focus on coastal engineering, flow-structure interactions, and adaptive solutions for hazards like erosion and flooding. Key projects include Environment Agency-funded work in Pevensey Bay using X-band radar and autonomous systems, and collaborations on eco-reefs and subsea cable protection with industry partners. Teaching: Coordinates modules on coastal sediment dynamics and applied oceanography. Contributes to geoscience curricula and supervises student projects on coastal processes and engineering. External Roles: Serves as consultant for projects involving scour protection, seagrass health, and tidal interactions at nuclear sites. Leads the Nature-based Ocean Solutions Special Interest Group under the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. Labs & Infrastructure: Oversees coastal teaching/research labs with flumes and field monitoring equipment. Collaborates on geospatial data projects for nature-based solutions in Studland Bay.

• Coastal Engineering
• Environmental Geoscience
• Hydrodynamics
• +5 more

Jan Geert Hiddink is a Professor in Marine Biology at Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences. He specializes in benthic ecology, sustainable fisheries, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. His research focuses on quantifying effects of human activities like bottom trawling and climate change on benthic communities, with a strong emphasis on mitigation strategies. He has authored over 95 peer-reviewed papers and secured over £7M in grants. Key projects include assessing seabed carbon stocks, sustainable scallop fisheries, and the ecological impact of windfarms. Education: PhD from University of Groningen (2002) on Macoma balthica migrations and a BSc in Marine Biology from the same institution (1997). Awards include the 2002 North Sea Award for his PhD thesis. He teaches marine vertebrates and directs the Marine Biology BSc program. Research interests span benthic ecosystem resilience, fisheries sustainability, and seabird ecology. Recent projects include evaluating thresholds for marine ecosystem health and developing tools for trawl fisheries assessments. Grants include collaborations with the Isle of Man government, Welsh Government, and EU initiatives. Advised 13 PhD students since 2006, focusing on topics like windfarm benthic impacts, shellfish fisheries, and cetacean monitoring. Active in policy engagement, including ICES advisory panels on trawling impacts and carbon assessments.

• Marine Benthic Ecology
• Sustainable Fisheries
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Dr. Charlotte Braungardt is Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Environmental Science at the University of Plymouth, affiliated with the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SoGEES). She is an active member of the Biogeochemistry Research Centre and the Marine Institute, contributing to environmental research and education with a focus on mine waste impacts and sustainability. Her teaching spans the BSc Environmental Science and MSc Environmental Consultancy programmes, where she integrates resilience education and professional development. PhD in Metal Biogeochemistry, University of Plymouth, 2000 Research on geochemistry of mine waste and aquatic systems Active in science communication and citizen science Her research centers on the geochemistry of mine waste, particularly the mobility and bioavailability of toxic metals like cadmium, arsenic, and lead in soils and aquatic environments. She investigates bioremediation strategies using cadmium-resistant bacteria such as Brevibacillus , and explores natural processes like iron plaque formation in plants for phytoremediation. Her work emphasizes environmental risk assessment, metal speciation, and sustainable remediation techniques. The recent publications reveal a strong trend in bioremediation of cadmium-contaminated environments, combining microbiology, environmental chemistry, and engineering. Her work increasingly focuses on systematic reviews of remediation technologies, bacterial resistance mechanisms, and immobilization techniques using alginate gels. Broader themes include environmental monitoring, GIS modeling of pollution, and the role of organic matter and pH in metal behavior. Dr. Braungardt actively supervises PhD students and has secured funding from NERC, the European Copper Institute, and governmental agencies. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to clean water, life below water, and responsible consumption. She is a member of several professional organizations, including: Marine Institute (MI) Estuarine Research Federation (ERF) International Mine Water Association (IMWA) Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Marine Biological Association (MBA) Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) She contributes to the University Mental Health Taskforce and leads the Resilience Education Community of Practice, embedding leadership, communication, and resilience training into the curriculum.

• Environmental Science
• Biogeochemistry
• Geochemistry
• +12 more