Arlene Ditchfield

Arlene Ditchfield is a microbial biogeochemist at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, University of the Highlands and Islands (SAMS UHI), specializing in microbial cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur in marine environments. She is also the Deputy Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Marine Science degree at SAMS UHI. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to environmental sustainability.

• Active in studying methane production in upper oceans and biodegradation of crude oil
• Published 15 peer-reviewed papers and two book chapters
• Recipient of Best Scientific Poster Prize (ISMOS 2007)
• Engaged in outreach activities including workshops, conferences, and schools engagement

Her research spans microbial ecology, hydrocarbon degradation, and sustainable bioenergy production from marine macroalgae. She has collaborated on projects analyzing syntrophic partnerships in methanogenic crude oil degradation and Epsilonproteobacteria dominance in oil sands.

Key trends in her publications include anaerobic digestion of marine biomass for bioenergy, crude oil alkane activation mechanisms, and methanogen identification in marine sediments. Her work intersects microbial biogeochemistry, environmental engineering, and sustainable development.

Scientific Awards

• Prize for Best Scientific Poster at the 1st International Symposium on Applied Molecular Microbiology in Oil Systems (ISMOS), 2007

Research Activities

• Speaker at ASLO 2012 Ocean Science Meeting
• Participant in Masters Level Teaching and Learning Workshop (2013)
• Organizer of giant copepod animation project with Lochnell Primary School (2013)
• Contributor to HAB bulletins with economic impacts