The editorial team

We've got a brilliantly broad range of experience and expertise here at SciEnvy. Take the time to get to know us below…

Current editorial team

Hayley McIlwraith

Hayley is a PhD student based at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and associated with the

University of East Anglia. Her research examines the

interaction between

microplastics and coastal vegetation (e.g., saltmarshes)

and highlights the potential for these systems to act as a nature-based solution to microplastics pollution. Hayley completed an Honours BSc from the University of Toronto where she studied Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

as well as Cell & Systems Biology.

@h_mcilwraith

pEGGY McGroary

Peggy is a PhD student at the University of Plymouth, though she spends all of her time at Rothamsted Research Institute, Hertfordshire. Her Research focuses on developing functional validation methods in globally important weed species and applying these techniques to herbicide resistance traits. Peggy has a Bsc. in Biochemistry and a Msc. in Environmental Biosciences in a Changing Climate from the University of Warwick.

@PeggyMcGroary

KATE DEWALLY

Kate is a PhD student at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Her research is centred on looking at new nature markets within the UK and farmer participation in these. Kate studied a Msci in Bioveterinary Science at Harper Adams University before working as a Research Assistant within the Cambridge Centre of Carbon Credits at the University of Cambridge.

@k_dewally

CHIARA RUGGIERI-MITCHELL

Chiara is a PhD student at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Her research is centred on decolonising the environmental sciences by understanding the field’s history, current decolonial practices, and how these may look in the future. Chiara studied BA Geography at Royal Holloway University of London before completing a Masters in Global Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Sussex.

@_Chiara_rm_

Olivia Thompson

Olivia is a PhD researcher in the Science, Society, and Sustainability (3S) Research Group at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Her current research as part of the UK Energy Research Centre’s Public Engagement Observatory expands upon techniques for mapping participation through digital methods in energy, climate change and net zero. Olivia has a background in Chinese Studies with a BSc from the University of Nottingham and a MSc in Energy Studies from the University of Dundee, CEPMLP. She hopes to further explore participation in areas of science controversy within different political contexts.

previous editors

Eleanor gilbert

Eleanor is a PhD student at the Marine Biological Association (MBA). Her research aims to understand the evolutionary origin and function of a sensory structure in sea anemone larvae, and how marine invertebrates utilise information from their surrounding environment to select suitable habitats to settle in. Eleanor studied BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography at the University of Plymouth, and has since discovered a passion for both molecular biology and communicating complex scientific ideas to a broad range of audiences.

@EleJaneMBO

Jack Smith

seth thomas

Seth was the founder of SciEnvy. He studied for a PhD in Marine Biogeochemistry at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. His PhD research investigated the global contribution of diatoms to the DMS cycle. DMS is a climatically active gas, moving from the oceans to the atmosphere where it oxidises and aids in cloud formation. These clouds reflect the suns radiation, resulting in global cooling. Seth's work aimed to quantify a synthesis rate of DMSP (the compound DMS is cleaved from), to use in existing carbon models to better predict future temperatures.

Ali North

Ali is a PhD student at the University of Plymouth and is working in partnership with the Institute of Zoology (ZSL) and Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust. Her research aims to better understand the ecology and impact of invasive alien species in the UK, with a focus on the alpine newt Ichthyosaura alpestris. Ali has worked for a range of conservation science NGOs and is a big believer in communicating environmental topics to broad audiences to help inform and influence positive change.

@alinorth_893

Jack is a PhD student at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and is working in partnership with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). His research centres on the governance of shared natural resources and is currently working on the potential utilisation of marine carbon stores to help in the fight against climate change. With a background in philosophy and natural resource management, Jack has experienced first hand the advantages of bringing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental science.

@JackMontSmith

bridie davies

Bridie studies for a PhD in volcanology at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. She is investigating the controls on volcanism at Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean - a volcanic island that has erupted both gently and explosively throughout its 1 Myr history above water. Through a combination of geochemical analyses and quantitative analysis of mineral crystals from lava flows and pumice fall deposits she hopes to reconstruct the changing conditions in the magmatic system that lead to the variable eruption styles we observe. Previously, Bridie worked at the Science Museum in London where she developed an appreciation of how effective science communication enhances public engagement and improves volcanic hazard mitigation.

jade eyles

Jade is a PhD student studying volcanology and seismology at the University of East Anglia. Her research is looking into different methods for locating earthquakes in volcanic systems to determine which is the most suitable for use by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. The research is focussed at the Soufrière Hills Volcano in Montserrat. The improved location method will be used to relocate the existing catalogue and be implemented for future events. Previously, Jade studied Msci Geophysics at the University of Southampton.

meet our contributors

Jake Smallbone

Jake is a first year PhD student at the University of Essex researching marine snow as a potential vehicle for oil pollutants.

Lizzie Archer

Lizzie is a PhD student based at the University of East Anglia. Her research explores the impacts of climate change on marine Vibrio disease and the consequences for human health. A marine biologist by training, Lizzie is passionate about the interconnectedness of human wellbeing and the health of our oceans.

Danny Ward

Danny is a PhD researcher at the John Innes Centre and the University of East Anglia. His research investigates bacterial infection and plant health. Alongside his research, Danny enjoys science communication and outreach with members of the public

Jake Montanarini

I’m a Game Designer and Lecturer with a focus on the use of fundamental game design techniques to communicate academic research to new and unexpected audiences. With a strong allegiance to both digital and analogue games alike, I believe games are an important way of structuring and utilising play for learning, community building, and to improve engage between somewhat distant parties.

Josh Jones

Josh's research is focussed on understanding the impact of earthquakes on short and long-term landscape susceptibility to landslides in the Nepal Himalayas. He hopes to develop new models that will allow for more accurate prediction of landslide ocurrence in mountainous, seismically active environments. He is passionate about communicating his science to promte effective hazard management.

Mollie Allerton

Mollie is a PhD student in the school of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia. Her research project is investigating the changing balance of nutrients in coastal waters, and how this is affecting algae. She is interested in how human activity is impacting the marine environment, and how it can be best managed.

Jamie McCoy

Jamie McCoy is an ARIES DTP funded PhD researcher at the University of Plymouth. His research is focussed on the application of high-dimensional phenotyping approaches to understanding how embryos of aquatic invertebrates respond to environmental change.

Nele Reyniers

Nele’s PhD research focuses on how climate change affects extreme droughts and their propagation to water resources impacts in the UK. This project is a 50/50 funded industry-academia collaboration between water company Anglian Water Ltd. and the University of East Anglia. Nele is based in the Climatic Research Unit (School of Environmental Science, UEA). Her broader research interests cover droughts, climate change, mitigation, adaptation, and their impacts, interactions, and human aspects

James Booty

James is an EnvEast/Natural Environment Research Council funded PhD researcher based in the School of Environmental Scinece at The UNiversity of East Anglia. His research team also includes colleagues at Essex University, and he is investigating the effects of shoebirds on ecosystem services of inter-tidal mudflats

Paddy Keith

Paddy is a PhD researcher at the University of Essex, working in conjunction with the British Antarctic Survey. His work focusses on the structure and stability of Southern Ocean marine food webs. In the long run, he aims to conduct research that can help advise policy surrounding the sustainable management of marine resources.

Sarah Barnsley

Sarah is a PhD candidate based at the University of East Anglia and working in collaboration with crop production specialists Hutchinsons. Her work is focused on managing habitat for pollinators within UK agricultural landscapes. Prior to her PhD Sarah worked as a Conservation Officer for the UK’s Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. There she worked on a variety of projects including the development of a conservation management plan for the island of Montserrat.

Kate Allberry

Kate’s principle research interests focus on the conservation of endangered felids and their threatened habitats in south and southeast Asia. Her PhD explores the impacts of landscape change on the population genetics of apex predators in Peninsular Malaysia. She works closely with the Department for Wildlife and National Parks and National Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, and is an Ambassador for WildTeam Bangladesh.

Becky Shaw

Becky is a PhD researcher based at the Earlham Institute and UEA in Norwich. Her research is focused on using conservation genomics tools to better understand how low genetic diversity affects a population with an emphasis on the UK’s Polecat population and North American populations of Black-footed ferret. She is also interested in science communication and hopes to use it as a tool to convey her research to conservation authorities in order to protect these species.

Jack Smith

Jack is a PhD student at the University of East Anglia. His research centres on the governance of shared natural resources and is currently working on the potential utilisation of marine carbon stores to help in the fight against climate change.

Natalie Yoh

Natalie is a PhD student based at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology,
University of Kent. Her research focuses on how bats in Malaysian Borneo are
impacted by land-use change, primarily through the use of bioacoustics. Natalie has
studied in the UK, Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil.

Ali North

Ali is a PhD researcher at the University of Plymouth and co-editor of SciEnvy. Her research aims to understand the drivers of establishment & spread of a non-native newt here in the UK.

Katie Spencer

Katie Spencer is a conservation scientist and 1st year PhD student at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent. Katie works with Borneo Nature Foundation and Chester Zoo to understand the drivers of defaunation in Borneo, by assessing the human and environmental pressures on large mammal populations such as the Borean sun bear. Follow her research on twitter (@KatieSpencer229) and instagram (@ConservationKate)

Gareth Thomas

Gareth is an EnvEast DTP student at the School of Life Sciences, University of Essex. Gareth's research focuses on oil-spills, remediation tools, and man-made structures (eg. shiprecks). His research aims to evaluate how these marine disturbances affect microbial communities and how this understanding can advance post-oil-spill monitoring and response guidelines.

The editorial team

We've got a brilliantly broad range of experience and expertise here at SciEnvy. Take the time to get to know us below…

Current editorial team

Hayley McIlwraith

pEGGY McGroary

KATE DEWALLY

CHIARA RUGGIERI-MITCHELL

Olivia Thompson

previous editors

Eleanor gilbert

Jack Smith

seth thomas

Ali North

bridie davies

jade eyles

meet our contributors

SciEnvy

Want to contribute to the blog?