Dr Alasdair O'Dell

Senior PDRA in Blue Carbon & Nitrogen

A SCUBA instructor with experience working on the Bay islands of Honduras, the Musandam Peninsula of Oman and Koh Phangan in Thailand. Studied Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Hull (BSc) and worked with the marine toxicology lab to analyse micro-plastics in mussel samples collected on the eXXpedition voyage. Main academic interests include biological processes and ecology of underwater life such as coral and kelp, as well as the natural world and conservation. Currently working on quantifying the amount of carbon sequestered by kelp in Scottish waters annually by using biomarkers to establish seaweed traces in sediment. Passionate about photography, hiking, diving, swimming and travel.

Contact details:

Employment history

Since 2022 PDRA at SAMS

2016-17 Laboratory Assistant, Marine Toxicology. The University of Hull (Prof Jeanette Rotchell)

 

Education

2022 PhD 'Scotland's blue carbon: the contribution from seaweed detritus' UHI SAMS 

2017 BSc (Hons - first class) Marine and Freshwater Biology. ECTS

 

For more info, please visit my personal website or follow me on Instagram.

Publications

Swanlund H, Burrows MT, Fedenko J, O’Dell A, Hughes AD (2026) A Review and Meta-Analysis of the Ecosystem Service Enhancement from Seaweed Aquaculture: Limited Evidence to Support Climate and Biodiversity Gains. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2026.2647211 

Chapman, E. C., O’Dell, A. R., Meligi, N. M., Parsons, D. R., & Rotchell, J. M. (2017). Seasonal expression patterns of clock-associated genes in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Chronobiology International, 34(9), 1300-1314.

Filbee-Dexter K, Feehan CJ, Smale DA, Krumhansl KA, Augustine S, Bettignies F de, Burrows MT, Byrnes JEK, Campbell J, Davoult D, Dunton KH, Franco JN, Garrido I, Grace SP, Hancke K, Johnson LE, Konar B, Moore PJ, Norderhaug KM, O'Dell A, Pedersen MF, Salomon AK, Sousa-Pinto I, Tiegs S, Yiu D, Wernberg T

 

Media coverage

Brief appearance in Sky News 2017 documentary 'A Plastic Voyage', which documented the eXXpedition voyages around the UK.

 

Professional memberships

PADI and SSI instructor