I am a Marine Biologist (PhD) and Postdoctoral Research Fellow specialising in Elasmobranch electrophysiology, with a core focus in translating experimental research into tangible marine conservation and management strategy. 

I have recently completed a PhD at QUB, where my work provided a critical link between marine trophic dynamics, and novel disease in benthic communities. I described the pressence of wasting disease signs in native sea star species, and investigated how non-consumptive effects influence sea star interactions. 

Building on my doctoral work at QUB in benthic community dynamics and interactions, I am now working as a lead on the ELASMO project, where we will apply technological innovation to one of the most pressening threats facing populations of sharks, skates and rays: Bycatch. As part of project ELASMO, I am overseeing the establishment of a state-of-the-art electrophysiology laboratory in Portaferry. Funded through DAERA's Nature Recovery Challenge Fund, this facility will act as a hub for targeted research into the sensory biology of some of the worlds most critically endangered elasmobranch species.