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Annual Science MEETINg

Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland

Studentships

Graduate School

Current MASTS Postgraduate Researchers

Adam Hocking, UWS
Alex Witchell, Glasgow
Anastasia Niemann, Stirling
Gaynor Jones, Heriot-Watt
Georgina Cole, Edinburgh Napier
Kirsty Woodstock, Heriot-Watt
Lara Gribble, Glasgow
Lauren Carl, St Andrews
Megan McNicol, Strathclyde
Milly Spence-Fraser, Glasgow
Nour Marcolan, Edinburgh Napier
Raúl Hilder Nine, UWS

Wider Graduate School

Additional MASTS Postgraduate Researchers

  • Andrew Smith, University of Aberdeen: Mapping, monitoring and modelling coastal habitats with UAVs. 

MASTS Associate Members

  • Adhip Aditya, University of Glasgow: Climate Change Impacts to Marine Ecosystems in UK Regional Seas with PI Kieran Tierney. Started October 2024 (4yrs). 
  • Alex Robertson, Heriot-Watt University. Started August 2022.
  • Michael Vail, University of St Andrews: Multiple stressors effects on benthic microorganism structure and function with PI Julie Hope. Started September 2023 (3.5yrs).
  • Toms Ekmanis, University of St Andrews: Applying biodiversity theory to coastal multiple stressors with PI David Paterson. Started October 2025 (3.5 yrs).

SUPER DTP

  • Please head to the SUPER webpages for current SUPER postgraduate researchers. 

Alumni

Below we list our MASTS Graduate School alumni a-z by surname with their thesis title and what they got up to post-PhD.

  • Jacopo Agagliate, University of Strathclyde: Developing in situ flow cytometry for optical characterisation of suspended particles in marine ecosystems. Passed viva Sept 2017. In 2019, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research.
  • Allan Audsley, University of Stirling: Scotland’s Pockmarks: understanding the link between gas-escape features and buried carbon in fjordic systems. Passed viva April 2022. Now a GIS technician since 2022.
  • Andisheh Bakhshi, University of Strathclyde: Size-Structured Models and Fisheries Assessment Methods. Was a teaching fellow in School of Engineering and Computing at UWoS. Since 2023, a Senior Statistician at Parexel.
  • Cecilia Biancacci, SAMS, UHI: Establishment of red seaweed mari-culture. IBioIC studentship. Passed viva Dec 2019. Now a PDRA at Deakin University, Australia.
  • Lauren Biermann, University of St Andrews: The biophysical breadcrumb trail: how a new generation of animal-borne sensors elucidate hidden biological richness at the surface and at depth. She joined CEFAS in 2015, in 2018 she joined Plymouth Marine Laboratory as an Earth Observation Research Scientist.
  • Edward Bolger, Edinburgh Napier University: The effects of underwater sound on the early life-stages of marine invertebrates. Viva in Jan 2022 and working as a Marine Environmental Consultant at Royal Haskoning DHV.
  • Chelsea Broughton, University of Stirling: Spat mortality in Farmed Scottish Blue Mussels. Now working as a Nurtitionist at Hamiltons Cheesecakes Ltd since 2024.
  • Luis Jose Perez Calderon, University of Aberdeen: Hydrocarbon transport in marine sediments and the role of chemical dispersant on oil-sediment interactions. A past associate student. Passed viva 2018. Working as a consultant at Genesis Oil & Gas.
  • Adam Chivers, SAMS, UHI: The biodiversity and ecology of the Senghor seamount. Passed viva January 2015. First job after PhD was as a scientist at Sellafield.
  • Ana Couto, University of Aberdeen: Determining the ecology & physics of tidal-stream habitats. Submitted thesis July 2022. Now working as ecological statistician at BioSS
  • Fiona Cunningham, University of St Andrews: Climate change impacts and adaptation in island communities. Passed viva November 2017 and working as Lab Manager for a geoscience company called Heath & Hardie Geosciences Ltd.
  • Simon Dailey, University of St Andrews: Transcriptomics and gene expression during amphioxus regeneration. Passed viva March 2017. Was a post-doc at St Andrews, now a senior scientist at GeneFirst.
  • Penelope Donohue, University of Glasgow and Heriot-Watt University: The Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Calcifying Organisms. Initially worked at Glasgow University. Final submission March 2015. Now working as a statistician for the Forestry Commission.
  • Alice Doyle, University of Stirling: Defining the driving mechanisms of maturation (puberty) in gadoid species through novel molecular approaches. Now working as a Marine Support Officer for JNCC.
  • James Dunning, University of Aberdeen: Making use of new broadband acoustic technology: size discrimination and high resolution fish counting in support of fisheries management. Now working as Fisheries acousticican for the Marine Directorate of Scottish Government (prePARED project).
  • Toni Dwyer, University of Glasgow: Environmental DNA for low-cost monitoring of disease in Salmonid aquaculture. Passed May 2024. Worked as Environmental Consultant at Gavia Environmental Ltd before accepting a job as freshwater ecologist at CEH.
  • Ewan Edwards, University of Aberdeen: Do commercial fisheries influence the distribution and dynamics of northern fulmars? Passed viva June 2015. Worked at Marine Scotland before moving to Genesis Oil & Gas Consultants as a Senior Environmental Consultant. Now Environmental Specialist at Xodus since 2022.
  • Charlotte Francoz, University of Glasgow: Assessing saltmarsh resilience in a changing climate. Now at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
  • Scarlett Ferrinho, University of St Andrews: Sustainable production of marine cyanobacterial products (sustainable C Products): discovery, scale-up and maintenance. IBioIC studentship. Passed June 2023. Now working as an OMICS Research Scientist (KTP Associate) at the University of Surrey.
  • Emily Gal, University of St Andrews: Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of submerged island landscapes and communities. Submitted thesis June 2019. Project Coordinator at University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Soizic Garnier, University of Strathclyde: Optimal-detail circulation models for fjords and sea lochs. Oct 2020, secured job with Marine Scotland Science working as a sealice modeller. Since 2023, a PDRA at Bangor University.
  • Joly Ghanawi, University of Stirling: Direct and indirect ecological interactions between coastal aquaculture activities and marine fish communities in Scotland. Passed viva in April 2018. Worked as a fish technician with the Becker group at the University of Edinburgh, and is currently a volunteer for CAMARADES, Center for Clinical Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh  
  • Joanna Gosling, SAMS. Biogeochemistry of highly reducing sediments. Passed viva May 2018 and now working as the ARCH-UK Coordinator based at Stirling University.
  • Pauline Goulet, University of St Andrews: NEXUSS studentship. Working at the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
  • Madjid Hadjal, University of Strathclyde: Automated classification of ocean colour remote sensing for environmental monitoring and legislative compliance applications. Datalab studentship. Submitted thesis October 2022. From January 2024, a Postdoc at the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida. 
  • Leigh Hickmott, University of St Andrews: Behavioural adaptations and social dynamics of beaked whales. Now a Whale Biologist | Scientific Consultant | Lead scientist at Open Ocean Consulting | Antarctic Killer Whale Specialist – BBC Frozen Planet II | Whale Scientist – EpicAdventuresWithBertieGregory | Advisor BPIII & NF Oceans.
  • Corallie Hunt, University of St Andrews: Sedimentary Blue Carbon: A national inventory in Scottish territorial waters. Submitted thesis March 2022. Now working for NatureScot from Feb 2022.
  • Silje-Kristin Jensen, University of St Andrews, Marine Scotland and SAMS: Is biotoxin exposure from harmful algae the reason for the decline in harbour seal populations in Scotland? A view through a food chain study. Viva passed February 2015. Now working as an environmental advisor to fish farms in Norway.
  • Niels Jobsvogt, University of Aberdeen: What is the value of the Deep Sea? Measuring changes in ecosystem services for the deep sea. Final submission January 2015. Now in Germany working for ATTAC Berlin.
  • Petronella Johansson, University of Aberdeen: Characterising dendritic cells in fish. Working as a Lab Technician at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Daniel Johnston, ERI, UHI: Ecology of black guillemots in relation to marine protected areas and marine renewable energy developments. Submitted Thesis end March 2019. Works for BTO.
  • Marios Katsakioris, Heriot-Watt University: Data driven techniques for interaction with autonomous vehicles. Datalab studentship. Passed viva May 2022.
  • Georgios Kazanidis, University of Aberdeen: Climate change, carbon cycling and ecology of deep-sea ecosystems. Feb2016 – 10 month PDRA contract with University of Aberdeen working on Arctic benthos biology. Feb ’17 – have 3 yr post-doc working on ATLAS project and then the iAtlantic Project, University of Edinburgh. March ’22 was appointed Offshore Industries Advice Manager / Senior Executive Officer at JNCC. 
  • Naomi Kennon, Heriot-Watt University. Biodiversity and restored fisheries habitat. Currently at RA at HW.
  • Flora Kent, Heriot-Watt University: The societal benefits of biogenic structures and their value within MPAs and a Marine Spatial Planning Context. Worked for NatureScot. Since 2022, now a Senior Benthic Ecologist at Marine Scotland Science.
  • Anna Kintner, University of St Andrews and SAMS: Impacts of Hydrozoan Jellyfish on Scottish Mariculture: Ecology and Strategies for Mitigation. Since then, she has consulted with various aquaculture companies and worked as the laboratory manager for Europharma Scotland. From 2018, she is a consultant for Hydrozoan Scotland and is a freelance scientific writer.
  • Nicola Lacey, University of Aberdeen: Scavenging fauna of the hadal zone. Worked at Marine Scotland before moving to a permenant position with an environmental consultancy Xodus Ltd.
  • Edward Lavender, University of St Andrews: Habitat use of the critically endangered flapper skate in relation to an MPA. A state of the art modelling approach. Submitted viva July 2022. Now working as data analyst at CABI.
  • Joshua Lawrence, University of Aberdeen: Studies of cetaceans and their prey; combining passive and active acoustics. Now an acoustic engineer at EMEC Ltd.
  • Noemi Lorenzo, University of Aberdeen: Photoperiod and immune function, how critical life cycle events in salmon impact on disease response and post smolt performance. Fish Health, then Veterinary Services Manager for Mowi Ltd.
  • Hannah Lee, Heriot-Watt University & Edinburgh Napier University: Blue carbon and shellfish. first job was public engagement for Dynamic Dunescapes. Since 2023, Hannah has been the Project SIARC EDI Community Officer for Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
  • Lilian Lieber, University of Aberdeen and University of St Andrews: The application of molecular ecology and hydroacoustics to understand spatiotemporal patterns of seascape use of a planktivorous shark, the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus). Passed viva Nov 2015, then joined the research expedition to Chagos. 2016 – 2022 – post-doc as Queens University Belfast, 2023 – Post doc at Bangor University. Now a Senior Research Fellow at University of Plymouth
  • Katherina Lefering, University of Strathclyde: Characterisation of a Point-Source Integrating Cavity Absorption Meter for applications in optical oceanography. Completed October 2016. First pole post-PhD was as a post-doc at University of Strathclyde.
  • Thomas Linley, University of Aberdeen: Novel technology for biological research at hadal depths. Passed viva July 2016. Now working as a post-doc at Newcastle University.
  • Marlene Lorgan, University of Aberdeen: The molecular basis of migrations and life history strategies in Atlantic salmon. Since 2019, A Research Fellow at Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre, University of Aberdeen.
  • Jennifer Loxton, Heriot-Watt University. The impact of Ocean Acidification on Scottish marine Bryozoa. Passed viva May 2014. Was NERC Research Fellow at UHI, then at University of Edinburgh. Jen is now at Kings College London.
  • Mairi MacArthur, University of Glasgow: Geodiversity and marine biodiversity interactions: enhancing ecosystem service provision on rocky and engineered coasts. Find out more. Passed viva June 2019. Now coastal adaptation advisor for Environment Agency.
  • Alan MacDonald, University of Strathclyde: Modelling the availability of small pelagic fish to birds and marine mammal predators off the east coast of Scotland. Passed viva July 2017. First role after PhD was Research Assistant at University of Strathclyde. Since 2021, now a research software engineer at SAMS, UHI.
  • Fiona Macintyre, University of Aberdeen: The Development of Underwater Visual Surveys to Support Environmental Monitoring and Fisheries Management. Viva passed December 2014. Worked at Marine Scotland before setting up Greyhope Bay initiative.
  • Silvia Malagoli, University of Strathclyde: Developing a length-based stock assessment methodology for Firth of Clyde finfish and scallops. Passed viva April 2024. First role post PhD: post-doc at University of Strathclyde. Since July 2025, Research Fellow at Bangor University
  • Francesca Mancini, University of Aberdeen: Managing the wildlife tourism commons. Now working at CEH as a Research Associate Ecological Modeller.
  • Matteo Marasco, ERI, UHI: Structure and coherance of flow througha tidally energetic channel measured by HF Radar. Submitted April 2020. Sept 2020: Data Steward at Socib.
  • Clare MacDowall, UHI: The effects of wave-current interaction on marine energy generation under high wave conditions. Had viva in December 2021. Continuing teaching at UHI.
  • Kevin McKinley, Edinburgh Napier University: Developing gregarine apicomplexans as aquatic symbiosis model systems. Passed viva March 2024. 2025 – Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, working in the Tewari lab based in the Medical School at Queens Medical Centre, University Hospital – investigating and performing research to disseminate findings on a ERC advance grant project funded by UKRI Frontier Science on “Unravelling atypical mitosis and meiosis in Plasmodium”.
  • Jenny McLeish, Edinburgh Napier University: Aquatic non-native species: a closer look at their parasite fauna. Passed viva October 2017 and worked as an aquatic ecologist for Jacobs. Since May 2023, working as a specialist services business delivery manager at Scottish Water.
  • Lauren McWhinnie, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University & Marine Scotland Science: Developing and testing approaches for Marine Spatial Planning: the case for aquaculture. Passed viva April 2015 worked in MEOPAR Canada. Now a Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University.
  • Hoa Nguyen Thi Thai, University of Strathclyde: Biogeochemical modeling of fjords and sea lochs. Passed viva November 2020. As of 2025, she is a postdoctoral researcher at Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Germany and also holds a research position at the Vietnam National University’s Institute for Environment and Resources. 
  • Agnes Olin, University of Strathclyde: Past and future links from climate to kittiwakes via zooplankton and forage fish: a mechanistic model synthesis. Passed viva August 2020. Next step is to work as a postdoc in Stockholm working on the spread of sticklebacks in the Baltic Sea. Since 2023, a Researcher working on marine conservation and planning at SLU Aqua. 
  • Joe Onoufriou, University of St Andrews: Effects of tidal turbines on the movements of marine predators in tidally energetic areas. Passed viva January 2020. Worked as a post-doc at SAMS before joining Marine Scotland Science in 2022.
  • Matthew Pace, Glasgow & Strathclyde Universities: Modelling the fishing activity patterns required to meet ecosystem service goals in the Firth of Clyde under changing environmental conditions. Submitted thesis Oct 2020. Passed viva 19/3/21. Now working for CEFAS.
  • Kaitlin Palmer, University of St Andrews & Marine Scotland Science: Marine mammal habitat use along the east coast of Scotland using passive acoustic monitoring. Previously a post-doc at San Diego University, in Dec 2020 she joined the MSRU Consulting North America team in their Canada office. Since 2024, now a Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University and Acoustic Ecoloist for Ocean Associates Inc. 
  • William Paterson, University of St Andrews: The energetic cost of human disturbance to UK seals. Passed in 2018. Became lead PSO/Ecologist at Saudi Archirodon (SARCO). Since 2025, Principal Ecology Specialist – Marine Megafauna at KAUST Beacon Development.
  • John Phelan, SAMS, UHI: Dynamic spatial modelling and forecasting of sea lice abundances. Now working in British Columbia as invasive species modeller.
  • Enrico Pirotta, University of Aberdeen and University of St Andrews: Assessing the population consequences of disturbances caused by human development on marine mammal populations: a case-study on bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation (Scotland). Viva passed February 2015. Was a postdoctoral researcher position at Washington State University working on the investigation of the cumulative impacts of human disturbances on blue whales and elephant seals. Jan 2022: research fellow at CREEM, University of St Andrews 
  • James Rimmer, University of St Andrews: The cumulative effects of multiple stressors on estuarine systems. Submitted thesis June 2023. Appointed to postdoc at University of York from Jan 2024.
  • Heather Ritchie, University of Aberdeen: Ecological genomics of hadal amphipods. Now a Research Fellow at Aberdeen University.
  • Ana Rodriguez, joint student between Heriot-Watt University and University of St Andrews: Shellfish restoration: Marine protected areas and built structures. Passed viva 22/10/19. Will be with the European Commission as an intern in the Nature Protection unit of DG Environment from March 2020 for 5 months. Since 2021, now a science officer for the European Marine Board.
  • Sally Rouse, SAMS and Heriot-Watt University: Understanding benthic productivity on artificial structures: maximising the benefits of marine renewable energy devices. Submitted April 2016. Worked at Marine Scotland Science. Since 2024, Principal Scientific Advisor at Environmental Standards Scotland.
  • Amy Scott-Murray, University of Aberdeen and Marine Scotland: Marine taxonomy in the 21st Century: embracing digital opportunities. Now working as the Manager of the 3D Scanning and Visualisation Laboratory Imaging and Analysis Centre at The Natural History Museum, London. 
  • Ben Scoulding, University of Aberdeen: The acoustic properties of mackeral: target strength modelling and field studies. Now employed as a Fisheries Acousticican at CSIRO in Hobart Tasmania.
  • Texa Sim, SAMS, UHI: Changes in Marine Mammal habitat use relative to fish-farm scarer-noise off western Scotland. Passed viva February 2022. Worked for NatureScot since 2022.
  • Cornelia Simon-Nutbrown, Heriot-Watt University: Recommendations For Improving Maerl Bed Protection, Informed By A Combined Genetic, Physiology And Modelling Approach. Now a post-doctoral researcher at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh working on the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project. 
  • Hazel Smith, University of Strathclyde. Norway lobster and Hematodinium sp. in the Clyde: modelling the population dynamics of a commercially important parasite-host system. Hazel won Academic Award at fifth Young Professionals Green Energy Awards in 2019. Submitted thesis Jan 2021. Passed viva March 2021. In 2022, working for Community Association of Lochs and Sounds (CAOLAS) and Lochaline Native Oyster Project
  • Craig Stenton, Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University: Effects of combined aquatic noise and chemical pollution on early stage marine invertebrates in different temperature contexts. Submitted thesis July 2022. intially worked for OSC Ltd. Since 2023, now a Lead Environmental Specialist Consultant at Xodus.
  • Jenny Stergeon, University of Aberdeen: Spatial demography in a marine top predator: linking spatial distribution with survival and population recruitment in juvenile European Shags. Now a professional musician.
  • Thitiya Summathed, University of Aberdeen: The effects of clinical nutrition on fish immune status and resistance to viral infection. Viva’d in 2016
  • Alice Tagliati, Heriot-Watt University: Ecotoxicology of sunscreen on tropical corals in a changing ocean. Passed viva Oct 2019. Became an environmental fate modeller and risk assessor at Enviresearch. Since 2023, now a Senior Exotoxicologist and Risk Assessor.
  • Ben Taylor, University of St Andrews: Restoration of saltmarsh areas subsidised by a clue carbon market. Viva passed May 2019. Working with MMO, then moved to IFCA.
  • James Thorburn, University of Aberdeen: Movements, areas of importance and sustainability of Scottish Elasmobranchs. Viva passed December 2015. Worked with Heriot-Watt University before taking a post with Marine Scotland, then a PDRA at St Andrews University. Then a Post-Doc at Queens University Belfast. Now Professor at Edinburgh Napier University since 2024.
  • Matthew Toberman, SAMS, UHI: Thin Surface Layers – New perspectives on ocean mixing and colour. First job after PhD was post-doc at SAMS. Sinse 2021, now at Tritonia Scientific.
  • Kristina Ulrich, University of Stirling. Evolution of Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV). Passed viva May 2018. Now junior consultant at Arcondis Group.
  • Nienke Van Geel, SAMS, UHI: Understanding Scottish bottlenose dolphin movement patterns: Can visual and acoustic cues be used to ensure that dolphins and construction of marine renewable don’t coincide. Passed viva March 2016. Now a NERC-funded PDRA at SAMS working on the potential for autonomous systems in long-term environmental monitoring pre- and post-decommissioning.
  • Kate Wade, University of St Andrews: Intertidal ecosystem health and resilience through managed salt-marsh regeneration. Viva passed in March 2018. Now working for JNCC.
  • Matthew Wale, Edinburgh Napier University: Effects of underwater sound on aquatic invertebrates. Passed viva October 2017. Worked as PDRA at ENU, now a Lecturer.
  • Kamila Walicka, SAMS, UHI: Impacts of basin scale forcing on the circulation of the Faroe Shetland Channel. CXC studentship. Passed viva November 2018. Working for BODC.
  • Danielle Whitlock, Edinburgh Napier University: Understanding the drivers of, and threats to, carbon sequestration in Scottish seagrass. Passed viva September 2021 and worked for Fidra. Since 2024, working as a Marine Sustainability Adviser (Benthic) at NatureScot. 
  • Chad Widmer, University of St Andrews and SAMS, UHI: Effects of climate variability on benthic life history stages of some commercially significant jellyfish from British waters. Passed viva October 2014. Now working in the US.
  • Laura Williamson, University of Aberdeen: Spatio-temporal variation in harbour porpoise distribution and activity. Passed viva 2018. Working as a research analyst at Ocean Science Consulting Ltd.
  • Robert Wilson, University of Strathclyde: Spatial Modelling of Marine Zooplankton Population Dynamics. Passed viva October 2015. Now working as a postdoc at Strathclyde University.
  • Joanna Wilson, University of Stirling: Investigation into the genetic origin of Mytilus species spat circulating in Scottish aquaculture. Since 2024, Senior Medical Writer at Blue Earth Diagnostics
  • Cathy Winterton (now Cathy King), SAMS, UHI: A 100 year record of changing toxic algae in Scottish coastal waters related to change in land use and temperature. Submitted thesis May 2022. Since 2023, an Operations Officer for NatureScot
  • Deborah Wood, University of Stirling: Linking carbon and iron cycles by investigating transport, fate and mineralogy of iron-bearing colloids from peat-draining rivers – Scotland as a model for high latitude rivers. Passed viva March 2020. Now Associate Lecturer at the Open University.
  • Julia Magdalena Wouters, University of Aberdeen: Developing an evidence base and methodology for the assessment of fish and shellfish stocks using Remote Electronic Monitoring data. Handed thesis in in November 2021 and become a lecturer (mat leave cover) at Aberdeen University. Now a Scientists at Scottish Environment Protection Agency since 2024.
  • Hannah Wyles, University of St Andrews: The ecology of Weddell seals in relation to the seasonal ocean dynamics of the Amundsen Sea Embayment, Antarctica. Passed viva October 2024. Now working at SMRU, St Andrews as a Research Fellow.
  • Koji Yamamoto, University of Stirling: Targeting surveillance in Scottish aquaculture using reported mortality and transmission network structure to minimise impacts of infectious diseases.

Below we list our SUPER DTP alumni a-z by surname with their thesis title and what they got up to post-PhD.

  • Ana Catarina Adao, University of Strathclyde: The role of discarding in the recovery of a heavily fished marine ecosystem: A case study in the Firth of Clyde. Viva May 2024. First role since PhD: Fisheries Scientist for Nature Analytics.
  • Nicole Allison, UHI-SAMS: Understanding marine microplastic dynamics using macroplastic as a proxy. Viva November 2023.
  • Christian Armstrong, UHI-SAMS: Assessing dynamic seabed change on the UK continental shelf. Viva May 2023. First role since PhD: Marine Geophysicist Consultant for Aventa, Italy.
  • Victoria Ashley-Wheeler, UHI-SAMS: Assessing benthic recovery following cessation of salmon farming using eDNA metabarcoding (ABReDNA). Viva November 2025. 
  • Tim Awbery, UHI-SAMS: Investigating minke whale acoustic and foraging ecology to underpin MPA-based conservation. Viva May 2026. 
  • Jack Bamber, University of Aberdeen: Managing the impact of recovering mobile predators on endangered birds through prey switching: A field experiment in a habitat restoration landscape in the Cairngorms. Viva January 2025. First role since PhD: Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen.
  • Ella-Sophia Benninghaus, University of Aberdeen: Climate Change and Predator-Prey Populations: C2P3. Viva June 2026. First role since PhD: Seabird Research Assistant for UKCEH.
  • Chloe Blackman, UHI-SAMS: Organism and ecological impacts of electrofishing in Scottish shallow coastal habitats. Viva March 2026. First role post PhD: Marine Support Officer for JNCC. Since 2026: Marine Fisheries Advisor for JNCC.
  • Caitlin Bolan Harris, UHI-Thurso: Impacts of FLoating Offshore Wind infrastructure on the distribution and behaviour of fish & marine mammals: IFLOW. Viva June 2026. 
  • Albert Bonet Bigatà, University of Aberdeen: Optimising the long-term control of invasive American mink from catchment to coast: how many mink is too many? Viva May 2026. 
  • Aislinn Borland, University of Strathclyde: On the edge of the abyss: applying an energetics approach to explaining Atlantic salmon survival at sea. Viva May 2026. First role post PhD: Marine Research Assistant at the University of Strathclyde. 
  • Alejandra G. Cabanillas, University of Strathclyde: From fronds to forests: Individual-based and whole-forest models of kelp. Viva November 2024. First role since PhD: Technical Consultant at IHCantabria, Spain.
  • Ana Corrochano-Fraile, University of Stirling: Estimating the dispersal capacity of Scottish blue mussel: From hydrodynamic modelling to genetic population structures. Viva July 2023. First role since PhD: Marine Consultant for Ocean Ecology Ltd.  Since 2024: Associate Researcher in Hydrological Modelling at the University of Edinburgh.
  • Katie Cubbon, Heriot-Watt University: The coexistence of aquaculture and inshore fisheries in Scotland: An ecotoxicological approach to establish potential contamination pathways in commercially important crustacean species. MPhil March 2024. First role since PhD: Community Catch Pilot scheme Coordinator for Orkney Crab. Since 2024: Research Officer – Fair Isle Demonstration and Research MPA for NatureScot.
  • Victoria Dale, University of Aberdeen: Long-term temporal dynamics of an over-sea migrant bird assemblage. Viva July 2026.
  • Rufus Danby, University of Aberdeen: Making the most of monkfish and megrim: Survey-based assessments and sustainable exploitation. Viva April 2024. First role since PhD: Fisheries Policy Officer for The Scottish White Fish Producers Association. 
  • Hanna Ewen, University of St Andrews: Scotland’s marine sedimentary carbon resources: Sources, rates, and fates. Viva December 2024. First role post PhD: Associate Researcher for Bundesanstalt fur Wasserbau (Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute).  
  • Laia Garrobé-Fonollosa, University of St Andrews: Harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms for the detection of marine mammal species in large acoustic datasets. Viva June 2026.
  • Victoria Gillman, University of Aberdeen: Integrating genomics and modelling to predict climate change response and identify drivers of decline in the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). Viva March 2026. 
  • Liam John Godwin, UHI-Thurso: From landscapes to freshwater invertebrates: Understanding the effects of peatland restoration on Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) habitat in the Flow Country. Viva October 2024. First role since PhD: Research Assistant at the ERI, UHI. 
  • Greig Govenlock, University of St Andrews: A lab on a chip: Using nano-plasmonic tongues for building miniaturised ecosystem sensors. Viva June 2024.
  • Helen Hiley, UHI-SAMS: Unlocking the enigma of Scottish harbour porpoise fine-scale habitat use. Viva May 2025. First role post PhD: Postdoc at UHI-SAMS.
  • Michael Hinchliffe, Edinburgh Napier University: Investigating the pathways and mechanisms of methane derived carbon in upland streams. Viva January 2025. First role since PhD: Research Technician at ENU. Since October 2024: Postdoc on the “Minding the Gap” project at Edinburgh Napier University Research: Investigating Methane Derived Carbon in Upland Streams.
  • Alex Houston, University of St Andrews: Sources, sinks, and subsidies of carbon within coastal saltmarsh habitats. Viva June 2025. First role since PhD: Postdoc at the University of St Andrews. 
  • John Howieson, UWS: Ecological and evolutionary resilience of iconic amphibian species to environmental change. Viva April 2025.
  • Maria Clara Iruzun Martins, University of St Andrews: Examining the human-predator interface of the North Sea: interactions between man-made subsea structures, marine predators, and commercial fisheries. Viva March 2026. First role post PhD: Consultant for Biodiversify.
  • Magnus Janson, Edinburgh Napier: Marine Soundscapes and eDNA for Assessing Biodiversity and Functioning of Re-establishing European Flat Oyster Reefs, Ostrea edulis. Viva November 2025. First role since PhD: Lead Science Officer for People and the Sea (PepSea), Phillipines.
  • Ieuan Jones, University of Aberdeen: Spatio-temporal trends in biodiversity of demersal fish in the North Sea and its relevance for the fishing industry. Viva June 2024. First role post PhD: Analyst for Office for Students.
  • John King, UHI-Thurso: Processing and fluxes of DOM in peat-pools and lochans. Viva November 2025.
  • Tristan Kleyn, University of St Andrews: Towards an acoustic species classifier for North Atlantic odontocetes: A quantitative dive into the communication systems of Scotland’s toothed whales. Viva July 2025. First role since PhD: Senior Scientist for SMRU Consulting, Washington.
  • Izzy Langley, University of St Andrews: Inter-specific interactions: Investigating the role of grey seals in the harbour seal decline. Viva November 2024. First role since PhD: PDRA at SMRU, University of St Andrews.
  • Samuel Langlois-Lopez, UHI-Thurso: The foraging ecology of great black-backed gulls and their potential effects on puffin populations. Viva November 2023. First role since PhD: Research Ecologist for BTO.
  • Charlotte Lee, University of Stirling: Invisible Threats to Oceans (InTO): Assessing the combined toxicity effects of emerging anthropogenic pollutants on microbial communities. Viva April 2025. First role since PhD: Research Administrator for University of Stirling. Since 2026: Research Assistant for MiAlgae. 
  • Fengjia Liu, UHI-SAMS: Ecotoxicological implications of environmental chemical discharge on marine invertebrates. Viva July 2023. First role since PhD: Postdoc at Swansea University.
  • Sean Markus, University of Aberdeen: Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring for invasive non-native species to protect marine biodiversity. Viva May 2024.
  • Lydia McGill, UHI-Inverness: Genomic analysis of population connectivity in the Scottish marine protected areas network to inform nature conservation. Viva May 2025. First role since PhD: Data Analyst for NatureScot.
  • Claire McNamee, University of Aberdeen: Impact of multiple climate stressors on microbial processes and carbon sequestration in peatlands. Viva May 2026. First role post PhD: Postdoc at Aarhus University, Denmark.
  • Tully Osmond, Edinburgh Napier: The effects of parasites on food web structure and dynamics: new ways to improve accuracy and ecological realism. Viva June 2026. First role post PhD: Technical Project Support Officer at Plymouth University.
  • William Pallier, University of Aberdeen: Linking microbial physiology with carbon transformations in peatlands under land use change. Viva September 2024. First role post PhD: Soil Scientist for the Association for the Advancement of Agricultural Science and Technology.
  • Nicholas Petzinna, UHI-Thurso: Using multibeam sonar to monitor animal behaviour and environmental interactions at marine renewable energy sites. Viva May 2025. First role since PhD: Energy KE Researcher at the UHI.
  • Lea Riehn: UHI-SAMS: River Robots: Utilizing novel autonomous technologies, observations and models to investigate freshwater coastal dispersion. Viva December 2025. First role post PhD: Cooke Scotland (Aquaculture).
  • Molly Rivers: University of Aberdeen: An evo-devo approach to invasive biology and adaptation to climate change. Viva February 2026.  
  • Khadija Said Majid, University of Aberdeen: Water bodies as interfaces and pathways for zoonotic and livestock pathogen transmission in Africa and Scotland. Viva June 2025. First role post PhD: Assistant Lecturer for Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania.
  • Jack Sheehy, Heriot-Watt University: Blue carbon audit of Orkney. Viva December 2023. First role since PhD: Blue Finance Specialist for ZSL. Since April 2025, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Heriot-Watt University. 
  • Danielle Sloan, University of Aberdeen: Multi-disciplinary connectivity investigation of Priority Marine Features in Scottish waters using bio-physical modelling and population genomics. Viva January 2025. First role post PhD: Technical Support for Natural Resources Wales.  
  • Julia Sutherland, University of St Andrews: Killer whale predation of harbour seals in the coastal waters of Scotland: Investigating the ecological drivers and consequences of an apex predator-prey interaction. Viva September 2024. First role since PhD: Research Fellow for SMRU, University of St Andrews. Since 2026: Programme Support Officer for MASTS.
  • Angus Taylor, UHI-SAMS: Multistressor impacts of ocean acidification and warming on regeneration and biomineralisation in coastal sea urchins. Viva August 2025.
  • Georgia Waldram, Heriot-Watt University: Marine Oil Snow (MOS): Understanding its formation and role in biodegradation of crude oil. Viva June 2024.
  • Anna Wawer, University of Aberdeen: Immunogenomic status of salmonid populations in Scotland. Viva January 2025. First role since PhD: Higher Scientific Officer at the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
  • Connor Wood, UWS: The effect of contaminants on mechanisms underlying invasive species impact. Viva June 2026.
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