My Research

During my undergraduate research I developed my interest in the effects of ocean
acidification (OA) on organism olfactory ability, specifically behavioural responses.
My research focused on the effects of low pH on olfactory responses of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, examining shifts in behavioural priorities to food odour and sex pheromones. 

This research sparked my interest in individual variability in physiological and behavioural responses and the effects of combined stressors, leading to the basis for my MSc research: ‘the effects of multiple stressors on the stability of functional traits: examining individual variability in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas, exposed to microplastics and ocean acidification.’

The project will use olfactory responses in shore crabs to examine how individuality (size, sex, personality, physiological/moult state) diversifies the combined/individual impacts of microplastic exposure and climate change conditions. I will be undertaking

studies on foraging and sexual success using competition assays aiming to establish links between olfactory disruption of functional traits and endpoints (food consumption) providing insight into the question of whether plastic pollution effects are accelerated or reduced in a changing climate.  

 Short CV

2017- 2020: BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, University of Hull