I completed my BSc in Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Glasgow, covering numerous biological topics from Behavioural Ecology to Immunology, alongside Chemistry and Comparative Literature courses. I developed an interest in community ecology and how organisms interact with one another, and consequently studied the long-term changes in community composition of a seagrass meadow in Akumal, Mexico, for my final dissertation. Additionally, I investigated the possible implications of green turtle grazing behaviours and the presence of calcareous algae on this composition.

During a year-long break from studying, I volunteered with the RSPB in Dumfries and Galloway. My role in visitor engagement involved public outreach, species identification and seabird monitoring, particularly of those nesting and foraging around the site.

In 2023, I came to SAMS as part of the first cohort of the MSc Algal Biotechnology and Bioeconomy degree course. Led by Dr Matthew Davey, I studied various topics regarding algal uses in biotechnology applications, their metabolomic properties and the scale-up process required for industry uses. My final dissertation returned to my interest in community ecology and investigated the bacterial community composition on and surrounding three kelp species, comparing taxonomy across sample type, month, geographic locations and growing seasons (years).

My role at SAMS 

My role at CCAP involves working across a number of projects. Primarily, I work with various algal strains, subculturing and keeping the cultures healthy. I also scale-up these strains for customer orders and research projects. I am the lab manager for ARIES (in Biolab 1) and oversee research and site visits involving the photo-bioreactors. Additionally, I work part-time on the Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring Programme (FSS), settling and analysing water samples from shellfish farms throughout Scotland. When I have the time available, I help out with molecular work in CCAP including DNA sequencing of the algae strains and, previously, the Darwin Tree of Life project.

Teaching

CCAP CPD courses (both online and in-person): I provide information on scale-up of algal cultures and the use of the ARIES photo-bioreactor facilities.

ACES and BSc Marine Science year 4 aquaculture module: I demonstrate algal subculturing techniques and scale-up processes during a lab practical.