Barbara Morrissey

Dr. Barbara Morrissey is a Researcher at the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in Inverness. She works in the BioMAG lab where she applies molecular genetic techniques to freshwater biodiversity conservation and management.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Epidemiology of Paenibacillus larvae from the University of York (2015), an MRes in Ecology and Environmental Management from the University of York (2011), and a BSc in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Edinburgh (2007).

Dr. Morrissey's research focuses on molecular ecology and evolutionary biology, with expertise in environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, metabarcoding, phylogeography, and phylogenetics. Her current work on the AMBER Project involves developing eDNA and metabarcoding tools to assess freshwater vertebrate biodiversity in European rivers.

Her recent publications demonstrate strong activity in environmental DNA methodologies, freshwater ecosystem monitoring, and microbial community analysis, with multiple publications in 2023-2025 showing her active research program.

Dr. Morrissey has developed expertise in applying molecular genetic tools to solve conservation problems, with research spanning from honey bee diseases to freshwater ecosystem management.