Matthew Davey

Dr. Matthew Davey is an Associate Professor of Physiological Ecology at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). He serves as Programme Leader for the MSc Algal Biotechnology and Bioeconomy program and is a Science Advisor for the UKRI NERC CCAP facility at SAMS. Previously, he co-established and managed the Algal Innovation Centre at the University of Cambridge and was a Senior Research Associate there from 2013-2020.

Dr. Davey earned his PhD in Plant Ecophysiology and Biochemistry from Durham University in 2004, following a BSc in Biology from the University of Wales, Bangor. His academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at the University of Cambridge and University of Sheffield, focusing on algal bioenergy and environmental metabolomics respectively.

Dr. Davey specializes in algal physiology, innovation and ecology, with research interests centered on the diversity and plasticity of metabolic traits, especially in extreme habitats. His work spans environmental metabolomics and physiology, discovering traits associated with cold tolerance and the role of metabolic plasticity in responding to environmental and climate change. He also explores algal biotechnology and innovation, investigating novel sources of sustainable biomaterials, nutrients, high-value products, feedstocks and bioenergy for the bioeconomy and space sector. His research extends from the ecology of snow algae in Antarctica to applications in bioenergy, bioremediation, pigments and food production across all continents, including using algae to support astronauts on long-term space missions.

Dr. Davey's publication record shows a strong focus on Antarctic snow algae research, with several high-impact papers in Nature Communications and other top journals. His work combines field studies in extreme environments with laboratory analyses and remote sensing techniques to understand algal physiology and ecology. Recent publications demonstrate expanding applications of his research to space exploration, carbon sink quantification, and biotechnology applications.

• Shortlisted for the University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor's Impact Awards and Public Engagement with Research
• TWO Blue Peter badges (1980s)

Dr. Davey leads a research team of 10-12 people annually at SAMS, supervising PhD students, MSc students, postdoctoral researchers, technicians, and interns. His research is supported by diverse funding sources including NERC Standard Grants, EIT Food projects, UKRI CCAP-SAMS, and various industry partnerships. He has led four large Antarctic research field seasons, including the first large terrestrial/coastal biology expedition supported by the UKRI BAS Sir David Attenborough ship.

Dr. Davey leads the EU EIT-Food international algae biotechnology training courses across Europe and coordinates the Algal Research, Innovation and Environmental Science Centre (ARIES) at CCAP-SAMS. His team at SAMS includes researchers like Dr. Alex Thomson, Dr. Francisca Vermeulen, Naomi Thomas, and Vaila Grigg, focusing on polar algae research and applications.