Joanne Preston

Joanne Preston is a Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Portsmouth's Faculty of Science and Health, School of the Environment and Life Sciences. Her research focuses on coastal restoration ecology, particularly the biodiversity and ecological connectivity of temperate marine habitats like oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, and saltmarshes. She leads the Seascape Ecology and Restoration Lab and chairs the European Native Oyster Restoration Alliance's Monitoring Working Group.

Education: BSc Biology (University of Sussex), MSc Marine Resource Development & Protection (Heriot-Watt University), PhD in Molecular Evolution (University of Southampton). Career highlights include postdoctoral research at the Marine Biological Association and roles as Principal Lecturer in Marine Biology.

Research interests include molecular ecology approaches (eDNA), ecosystem services valuation (blue carbon, nutrient cycling), and microplastic impacts on marine ecosystems. She has authored over 30 publications and secured £800k+ in grants since 2019.

Key initiatives include editing restoration handbooks for COP26, leading the Solent Seascape Project, and founding the UK/Ireland Native Oyster Network. Teaching responsibilities include the Marine Ecology and Conservation module.