United Kingdom
Marine/freshwater ecologist and scientific diver working across environments in both the UK and overseas. Experience spans consultancy, research, and conservation projects, with a strong emphasis on practical fieldwork and using ecological data to support environmental decision making. Experience has involved biodiversity and habitat assessments across a range of systems, from coral reefs and kelp forests to intertidal, coastal, and freshwater environments; whether it is on the water, in the water, or underwater. Comfortable in field-led, safety-conscious settings, with experience contributing to survey delivery, data collection, and interpretation as part of multidisciplinary teams. Particular interests sit around multi-taxa field-based survey designs, habitat-species dynamics, trophic ecology and ecosystem management. Values clear communication and collaboration, and enjoys working with scientists, regulators, NGOs, and the public to make ecological evidence useful beyond reports.
Currently supporting the delivery of consultancy-led environmental projects across freshwater and transitional environments. This role involves contributing to field survey programmes, ecological data analysis, GIS outputs, and technical reporting to support regulatory and environmental assessments. This position has built experience working within multidisciplinary teams, handling large ecological datasets, and applying scientific evidence to real-world environmental decision making.
Seasonal (summer) scientific diving operations across St Ives Bay, undertaking benthic and marine fauna surveys using underwater survey and recording equipment. Carried out dive planning and dynamic risk assessments while operating safely within research protocols. Guided volunteer divers during fieldwork, supporting safe operations and consistent data collection in variable conditions. Collected ecological baseline data to support habitat characterisation and community assemblage, contributing to work linked to a proposed ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) trial, where findings on potential impacts informed discussions and contributed to its suspension.
A combined Divemaster training programme with a strong focus on scientific diving, field-based data collection and analysis: Divemaster – Delivered dive operations including guiding, assisting and logistical support for divers of all levels, applying strong knowledge of dive theory, safe practices and emergency response procedures. Research – Contributed to field-based data collection across roving diver surveys (UVC), BRUV deployments, CoralWatch assessments, water quality monitoring and reef health surveys. Additional experience includes coral propagation, mangrove restoration, Dive Against Debris surveys, spatial mapping, marine species identification and citizen science data management. Certifications – SSI Divemaster, SSI Specialties (Marine Ecology, Manta and Ray Ecology, Shark Ecology and Sea Turtle Ecology), Ocean Gardener Coral Diver, Current First Aid and O₂ Provider.
I returned to Zavora, for 8 weeks, to further develop my skills as a scientific diver, building on the experience I gained from the field team. During this period, I refined my ability to carry out standardised underwater surveys with greater independence and consistency, contributing to the research mentioned below and more. Working regularly in challenging conditions, I became confident in collecting accurate ecological data and operating effectively as part of a field-based research team.
As a Guest Experience Host, here is where I started refining my communication and public engagement skills by delivering marine and freshwater animal information to a wide range of visitors, including presentations to large audiences. I also supported basic species care and husbandry in a professional aquarium setting.