Kate Mathers

Dr Kate Mathers is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Loughborough University, specializing in freshwater ecology and river restoration. Since 2020, she has held this prestigious fellowship, following postdoctoral positions at Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology) and research associate roles at Nottingham Trent University and Loughborough University.

Her educational background includes a PhD from Loughborough University (2013-2017), supported by the Lord Glendonbrook doctoral fellowship in collaboration with the Environment Agency. This foundation has enabled her to develop expertise in understanding how fine sediment dynamics affect freshwater ecosystems.

Her research interests center on freshwater ecology, particularly examining how sediment deposition and flow interactions influence macroinvertebrate communities. She investigates biological invasions in river systems, with particular focus on Ponto-Caspian species and invasive crayfish. Her work bridges contemporary ecological monitoring with palaeoecological approaches to establish reference conditions for river restoration.

Her recent publications demonstrate a focus on understanding fine sediment impacts across multiple scales, from laboratory experiments to global comparative studies. She explores seasonal dynamics in river systems, invasive species interactions, and restoration effectiveness. Her work increasingly incorporates interdisciplinary approaches to address complex challenges in freshwater conservation and management.

Dr Mathers has received several prestigious awards, including:

• Francesca Gherardi International Memorial Prize (2019)
• Loughborough University Graduate School Research Student Prize (2016)
• Loughborough University Academic Output Award (2016)
• Loughborough University PhD Teaching Award (2016)
• Loughborough University Graduate School Prize (2013)

She serves the scientific community through editorial roles as Associate Editor for Aquatic Sciences and Insect Conservation and Diversity, membership in the NERC Peer Review College, and previous guest editing for River Research and Applications special issues on biological invasions and fine sediment dynamics. From 2019, she has been an Early Career Member of the River Research and Applications editorial board.