The Challenger Society for Marine Science

Umeå University

Early Career Network Coordinator

2021-present

At the heart of my professional journey as a marine biogeoscientist is a profound commitment to marine conservation and scientific research for the protection of seabed habitats. I am the founder of the collaborative website SeabedHabitats.org  – an international blog maintained for over 12 years. Our team’s dedication is evident in multiple peer-reviewed articles that address fundamental sediment dynamics issues, showcasing a steadfast dedication to scientific excellence and societal outreach. I am presently postdoctoral Research Engineer in Spatial Modelling at Umeå University, working on blue carbon in Southeast Asia. My project as Principal Investigator and postdoctoral research fellow in University of Galway- Discipline of Geography was on maerl habitat dynamics and numerical modelling of climate change impacts of storminess. I completed my PhD in Earth and Ocean Sciences in University of Galway, based at the Biogeosciences group, working on the “Understanding the seabed” project.  It linked aspects of physical oceanography, marine geophysics, sedimentology and ecology in the shallow water environment. This built on my unique multidisciplinary expertise; including an MSc in Hydrographic Surveying, a FIG/IHO Category A accredited course from University College London, LLM from the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway and my original undergraduate honours degree in Marine Biology with Oceanogaphy at University of Southampton (based at the National Oceanography Centre).

Steering the Challenger Society for Marine Science’s Early Career Researcher Network, I dedicate over three years to fostering marine science’s future, organizing seminars and networking opportunities that fuel collaborative research and innovation. My commitment extends to championing diversity and inclusion, where my participation in the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Working Group is pivotal in advancing equitable practices in the field. My commitment to advancing gender equality in coastal geoscience and engineering is evidenced by my long-standing executive committee membership at Women In Coastal Geoscience and Engineering. There, alongside a dedicated team, we strive to dismantle barriers and cultivate an environment of equal opportunity across the field.