I currently work as a marine invertebrate specialist on the Darwin Tree of Life project, which aims to produce high quality DNA barcodes and whole genome sequences for all species in the British Isles.Responsibilities:Species acquisition - Collecting and identifying marine species. Organising and coordinating fieldwork with internal and external researchers to collect specimens. Acquire specimens for the museum, ensuring all data and legal compliances are met. Curating voucher specimens for all non-insect invertebrates.Lab preparation - Dissecting and preparing tissue samples for DNA barcoding and whole genome sequencing. Using dry ice and liquid nitrogen to snap-freeze tissue samples. Specimen photography.Databasing - Managing upload of specimen data to the museum database and upload of data to Barcode of Life Database (BOLD).Publications - Writing 6-month progress reports for the funding body. Producing SOP’s for sample processing of different taxa. Writing genome notes for publication of genomes on Wellcome Open Research. Project outreach - giving presentations and workshops to increase project awareness and sample submission.

Marine surveys – Organising, planning and managing marine ecological surveys with clients and colleagues. Leading and carrying out water quality sampling, entrainment, entrapment, ichthyoplankton, benthic cores/grabs and intertidal habitat surveys.Species Identification - identification of marine benthic invertebrates, algae and fish to species level in the lab and in situ on surveys. Quality controlling identification from external companies.Data - data analysis using Primer 6 and R, habitat mapping using ArcGIS Consultancy - writing technical reports and literature searches for colleagues and clients. Giving technical advice to colleagues and clients.

I joined Thomson Environmental Consultants in 2018 spending most of my time supporting the benthic taxonomy lab, using my expertise in marine species identification and my project management experience.Responsibilities:Marine species identification for environmental consultancy.Develop the marine and estuarine survey side of the business, including: tendering for surveys, managing/leading surveys, analysing the collected data and producing technical reports. Teaching benthic invertebrate identification to junior staff and quality controlling their identification.

I joined MESL in 2014, continuing to develop my skills in marine and estuarine benthic taxonomy. I also developed skills in field survey, analysis of video and images from drop down cameras and ROV’s, assigning habitat biotopes, data entry, statistical analysis, GIS and report writing. As assistant lab manager my duties included managing the lab team, finding and tendering for work, business development, project management, and liaising with current and potential clients. I also helped write risk assessments and maintain H&S and COSSH standards.

I joined Thomson Unicomarine in 2012. Here I first started to develop my skills in marine taxonomy, processing samples and identifying organisms to species level from estuarine and marine habitats across the UK. My experience here also covered particle size analysis, field surveys, analysis of video and images from drop down cameras, assigning habitat biotopes and contributing to written reports.

In 2010 I spent 5 months on an EU funded marine conservation internship in Greece. During this internship I carried out underwater biodiversity surveys for fish and invertebrates and gained experience in spatial mapping (GIS).