I am an Associate Professor in Marine Ecology, the People, Culture and Environment Lead for the School of Applied Sciences, and convenor of the University's Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body. I lead research on the spatial ecology and biology of large marine vertebrates in the School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University. This research centres on conserving and managing threatened marine species, particularly elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays), and the spatial and environmental factors influencing their distribution, behaviour, and ecology. My work integrates field-based research with spatial modelling, telemetry, and habitat assessment, with the goal of informing evidence-based conservation policy and practice. I am the Principal Investigator on multiple national projects, working in close collaboration with academic, NGO, and government partners to improve conservation outcomes through interdisciplinary research.
I have extensive experience in elasmobranch biology and ecology, ethical field research, and applying quantitative spatial techniques to conservation planning. I support early-career researchers and community engagement through research-led teaching and public science. I actively enhance the research culture and mentoring across the university and contribute to strategic leadership through my roles in institutional research governance and development. I completed his PhD at the University of Aberdeen on Aspects of movement, habitat use and connectivity in two North East Atlantic sharks: spurdog Squalus acanthias and tope Galeorhinus galeus.
Research Interests
I am a marine ecologist with a research interest in the spatial ecology of mobile marine species focusing on elasmobranchs and their interactions with management measures. My expertise is centered around multidisciplinary approaches, with a focus on bio-logging and telemetry technology, with interests in reproductive biology and conservation genetics.
