About me
I hold a BSc in Biological Sciences and an MRes in Marine Ecosystems and Governance from Newcastle University. Currently, I am a PhD researcher at the University of Stirling, where my work explores the impacts of climate change—particularly coastal acidification—on molluscan biomineralisation.
My project, 'Using biomineralisation responses to predict molluscan species-specific pathways for resilience to climate change', investigates how native and non-native European mussels (Mytilus spp.) and oysters (Magallana gigas and Ostrea edulis) respond to environmental stressors. These species vary in shell composition and vulnerability, providing a valuable comparison for understanding resilience. By combining microindentation techniques (Vickers hardness and fracture toughness) with transcriptomic analysis, I assess shell strength and gene expression in both adult and juvenile molluscs under warming and acidification scenarios.
The ultimate goal of my research is to uncover species-specific pathways to resilience, contributing to the sustainability of mollusc aquaculture and informing future reef restoration strategies. My broader research interests include population genetics, climate change biology, and the physiological responses of marine organisms to environmental stressors.