- School of Environmental Sciences
- University of East Anglia
- Laboratory for Global Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry
- Norwich
- NR4 7TJ
- UK
- +44 (0)1603 592531
Research Interests
see below for PhD opportunities
Marine microbes play pivotal roles in the biogeochemical cycles that are essential for the functioning of the whole Earth system. My research interests focus primarily on various marine microorganisms (marine phytoplankton, microzooplankton, bacteria, viruses) and how their interactions with each other and/or the environment leads to the production of trace gases. These volatile compounds are emitted to the air where they can influence atmospheric chemistry and global climate.
The biogeochemical cycle of dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and biogenic production of halocarbons and non-methane hydrocarbons are of particular interest. In addition my group works on the DMS precursor dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), related compounds dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and acrylic acid, seaweeds and the inorganic iodine species iodate and iodide. Our research has contributed to improving understanding of the physiology, biochemistry and ecology behind the production of trace gases and related compounds. As a natural extension to this I am also involved in projects on other aspects of biological oceanography, biogeochemistry and the exploitation of microalgae (e.g. for biofuels and high-value products).
The research involves laboratory experiments on samples collected in the natural environment and cultures of marine microorganisms (phytoplankton, microzooplankton, bacteria and viruses), as well as field work (onboard research ships and at land-based fieldwork sites).
Links for related information:
Publications: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/view/creators/e061.html
Lab facilities
Current and completed grants
4th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Chemistry of DMS(P) and Related Compounds, May 2006. http://lgmacweb.env.uea.ac.uk/lgmac/dmsp/
MSc, PhD & Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
I welcome enquiries at any time – see full contact details above. Specific opportunities will be posted on this site as and when available.
PhD Opportunities
Our application round for PhD positions commencing October 2012 will start approx October 2011. I will be offering a project entitled Do marine diatoms play an important global role in the production of DMS and its precursor DMSP?
http://researchpages.net/media/resources/2011/06/22/Diatoms__DMS-P_PhD_flyer_Jun11_.pdf
Click on the link for further information about this project.
Information about other projects will be added soon and please note that, in addition, it is sometimes possible to develop a project idea that fits to an applicants specific research interests.
UK and EU candidates: Most PhD positions commence in October. We fund PhD's via a variety of funding schemes and applicants usually compete for funding with a pool of other applicants. If you are interested please contact me with a view to getting an application in as soon as possible. International candidates: Most of our international students obtain funding to do a PhD from their home countries or agencies such as the British Council. If you are interested in joining our lab please email me with your CV and a short description of the area of research you are most interested in.Applications from Self-funding PhD applicants are welcome at any time.
My Current Positions
I work in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA). During a 10-year period as a UK Environment Research Council (NERC) Advanced Research Fellow I established a research group and the Marine Trace Gas Biology Laboratory. This is part of the School’s Laboratory for Global Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry (LGMAC). I was appointed to a Readership in Biological Oceanography position commencing June 2009.
I convene our School’s 3rd year module ‘Global Environmental Change’ (ENV-3A20) and I also teach on the 2nd year ‘Field Ecology’ module which is held in Ireland in September(BIO-2B12).
I have been Health & Safety Co-Ordinator for the School of Environmental Sciences since August 2009 and I also represent the School on the University of East Anglia Biohazards and Genetic Manipulation Committee. I am also Co-Chair for the ResNet committee; ResNET is a contact, support and information network for women working in research at the University of East Anglia and the adjacent Institutes on the Norwich Research Park (http://www.uea.ac.uk/resnet).
Beyond UEA I am currently a member of the British Phycological Society Council (BPS. http://www.brphycsoc.org/), the BPS Awards & Training Committee and the funding committee of the Phycological Society of America (http://www.psaalgae.org/.
Previous Positions
I was Chair of the School of Environmental Sciences Researchers’ Affairs Forum from 2002–2009 which involved organising meetings for the 100+ Researchers and attending meetings of the School’s Executive Group. As part of this role I also sat on the UEA Research Staff Working Group and the Research Staff Skills Development Steering Group.
I also have significant external committee experience on the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Peer Review College, the NERC Marine Sciences Peer Review Committee, the peer review committee of the NERC Marine and Freshwater Microbial Biodiversity programme and the steering committee for the U.K. Natural Environmental Research Council Earth Observation Data Acquisition and Analysis Service (NEODAAS). I was also a full member of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 120 ‘Marine Phytoplankton and Global Climate Regulation: The Phaeocystis spp. Cluster as a Model’.