Principal Investigator
Prof Pippa Moore (Pip.Moore@newcastle.ac.uk)
I am a marine community ecologist, whose research interests lie in understanding the impacts of climate change and other human stressors on the diversity and functioning of rocky reefs and seagrass meadows. I am also interested in making space for nature in marine engineering by the incorporation of novel material design and low-cost interventions to promote biodiversity. If you are interested in these areas and would like to pursue a MRes, PhD or post-doc please get in touch to discuss funding options.
Current Research Assistants
Hannah Earp (Hannah.Earp@newcastle.ac.uk)
Hannah joined the lab as a Research Assistant on the Ecostructure Project where she supported a range of field and lab experiments. Since August 2019 she has been working as a research assistant on the KELPER project, examining the structure, connectivity and resilience of kelp ecosystems in Chile and Peru. She is also doing a PhD part-time on kelp restoration techniques
Harry Thatcher (hat30@aber.ac.uk)
Harry joined the lab as a Research Assistant on the Ecostructure Project, where he will be carrying out lab based behavioural studies focused on the habitat preferences of early benthic phase and juvenile lobsters. These studies will inform the design and testing of artificial habitat units. Harry will also be using acoustic telemetry technology to provide information on lobster, crab and fish movement around wind farms. He is also doing a PhD based on the experiments outlined above.
Current Postgraduate Students
Cat Oliver (cao27@aber.ac.uk)
Cat’s PhD focuses on assessing the extent of macroalgae (predominately Ulva species) in Milford Haven for sustainable commercial harvesting purposes. The study will investigate various harvesting techniques for these opportunistic macroalgae and the effect that harvesting may have on the ecosystem. Data will be collected via aerial and acoustic surveys and core sampling as well as in situ animal diversity and behaviour surveys involving birds, crabs and fish. A socioeconomic assessment will evaluate impacts of this opportunistic algae which may help remediate Milford Haven inner waterbody as a nitrogen vulnerable zone.
This PhD works with industry partners from GreenSeas Resources (www.greenseas.co.uk). The project is funded by Kess 2 (http://kess2.ac.uk/) and commenced in September 2018.
Harry Catherall (H.Catherall2@newcastle.ac.uk)
Harry’s PhD research focuses on the structure, function and restoration of kelp forests along coastlines of Durham, Northumberland and Berwick coastlines. He will be comparing the structure and function of kelp forests along ‘pristine’ sections of the Northumberland and Berwick coastlines with those of the Durham coastline which have been historically impacted by coal mining spoil and are recovering from these impacts. In areas where kelp forests have not been able to reestablish he will be investigating approaches to give nature a helping hand to restore these important ecosystems.
Ethan Clark (E.clark13@Newcastle.ac.uk)
Ethan’s PhD research focuses on the viability of macroalgae aquaculture (predominantly kelp) around offshore wind farms. He will be utilising Geographic Information Systems to map suitable areas where colocation shows most promise. After which, he will be undertaking a strategic analysis to investigate barriers to development and stakeholder concerns. Finally, he will complete an environmental assessment and materials study into the sustainable cultivation methods. Ethan is part of the AURA CDT funded by the EPSRC – https://auracdt.hull.ac.uk/
Ellie Ould (E.Ould@newcastle.ac.uk)
Ellie is undertaking an MPhil focusing on the productivity and loss of the kelp Laminaria digitata over an annual cycle. She is also looking at the rate of kelp detrital breakdown over a seasonal cycle.
Alumni
Dr Ben Harvey
Ben’s PhD (2015) research focused on determining the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on the physiology and ecology of shallow-water marine organisms, and the processes that structure marine ecosystems. Ben is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Dr Nathan King
Nathan’s PhD (2017) focused thermal divergence in kelp populations in response to warming. He took a multifaceted approach to his research employing macroecological and population genetic studies alongside mesocosm experiments investigating the molecular and physiological basis of species thermal tolerance. Since completing his PhD Nathan has undertaken a post-doc at Bangor University and is currently doing a post-doc with Dr Dan Smale at the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth.
Dr Mathilde Bue
Mathilde’s PhD (2019) focused on determining the trophic links and flow of energy within kelp forest (Laminaria hyperborea) communities. Mathilde used a range of techniques including stomach contents analysis, baited remote underwater video and stable isotope approaches to disentangle the complex trophic links within kelp forests. Mathilde is now working for the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Bangor.
Dr Pippa Lewis
Pippa’s PhD (2021) focused on the potential for intertidal fucoids to be important blue carbon donor habitats and therefore play a role in carbon sequestration. Her research determined the standing stock of intertidal algae across the whole Welsh coastline, as well as quantifying intertidal brown algal productivity, loss and sequestration potential (using TGA analysis).
Dr Adam Gouraguine
Adam was a postdoctoral research associate working on the NERC-funded KELPER project, examining the structure, connectivity and resilience in kelp ecosystems in Chile and Peru. Adam continues to work in science at the same time as setting up a new business taking people on adventures in the wilds of Montenegro.
Dr Ally Evans
Ally was a postdoctoral research associate on the European-funded Ecostructure Project (www.ecostructureproject.eu) where she tested and developed interventions for enhancing biodiversity on artificial structures in the marine environment. She is now a Research Officer at Swansea University working on seagrass restoration.
Pippa Moore 