I am a project manager employed by the East Grampian Coastal Partnership to run a regional environmental initiative called Turning the Plastic Tide. The aim is to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution and encourage greater participation in beach cleaning in the North East of Scotland. This includes the design and delivery of an educational programme to primary and secondary schools in the region, as well as engagement with relevant stakeholders including community groups, local authorities, nation-wide environmental charities, local MSPs and corporate bodies.

Creature feature writer for the surfers path magazine

• Elasmobranch research and peer reviewed publications• Marine education resource, school programs, skype classroom Q&A’s• Writer and photojournalist, articles published by The Guardian online, BiOME Ecology Webzine, Diver Magazine and The Surfers Path Magazine• Environmental consultancy service, currently working on Marine Litter Surveys with Marine Scotland Science.

Freelance writer, predominantly discussing sharks; their biology, conservation and ecology. As well as SCUBA diving with and without sharks!

Aquatic & Mountain Adventures since 1948.- Life and times of Ivor Howitt, Scuba pioneer

• Ongoing campaigns designed to improve the health of our Oceans• Leading beach cleans• Organising fundraising events• Raising awareness through public talks

Guest blogger for the Guardian Science online, covering all things shark related.

• Reviewed applications made by renewable companies for testing of wave and tidal energy devices at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)• Authored the Marine License conditions pertaining to numerous wave and tidal energy devices being deployed, operated and decommissioned at EMEC• Face to face meetings and teleconferences with renewable developers• An understanding of the Marine Scotland Act and Environmental legislation including European Protected Species (EPS) licensing

Various collection and maintenance dives undertaken for Macduff Marine Aquarium

• General husbandry including; life support system checks, display maintenance, water quality testing, feed preparation• Familiarization with zoo licence requirements, working closely with veterinary contacts• Research and development for specific events, liaising with local fishermen • SCUBA Diving operations including; diving for feeding and maintenance, at sea collection dives, dive supervising, compressor operation, kit servicing, cylinder air quality tests• Customer service, telephone queries and administrative duties • Working with volunteers, work experience students and members of the public• Guided tours of the aquarium, giving detailed talks on the exhibits• Regular scuba diving to carry out general maintenance within the exhibits • Customer service, greeting visitors, taking payment for entrance and telephone queries

I founded this company in 2007, my goal is to dispel the myths and rumours derived from a fundamental misunderstanding of sharks. I hope to enthuse and inspire people to learn more about sharks and ultimately help protect and preserve these incredible animals.Note Sharkiologist is now a part of Saltwater Life

• Advising, developing and writing proposal’s and government reports in support of a number of inshore recreational fisheries projects.

• Theoretical and laboratory techniques taught to BSc Undergraduate students in the following topic areas; Animal behaviour, Marine Biology, Biological Sciences, Plant Ecology and Ecology and Conservation.

Press Officer, producing informed articles for the media and the SSTP website, author of an on location blog when shark diving in Asia.

• Investigation and understanding into the shark immune system across several species• Molecular biology techniques, data handling and analysis (Microsoft office and sequence translation software)• Interpersonal communication between regional and worldwide Pfizer offices and laboratories as well as potential collaborators• Delivery of high quality work on time and on budget, manuscript preparation• Hands on shark work including; anaesthetising sharks, taking blood samples, immunising animals, shark husbandry, behavioural and welfare observations

• Investigation and understanding into the shark immune system across several species• Molecular biology techniques, data handling and analysis (Microsoft office and sequence translation software)• Interpersonal communication between regional and worldwide Pfizer offices and laboratories as well as potential collaborators• Delivery of high quality work on time and on budget, manuscript preparation• Hands on shark work including; anaesthetising sharks, taking blood samples, immunising animals, shark husbandry, behavioural and welfare observations