Experience

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  Evove

  • Daresbury, England, United Kingdom

  • Scientist

    • Mar 2023 - Present
    • Daresbury, England, United Kingdom

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  Newcastle University

  • United Kingdom
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • PhD student in Marine Science

    • Oct 2018 - Present

    During the PhD, the use of ultraviolet light as a marine biofouling control was investigated. This was a collaborative project with significant financial investment which included academic, industrial and government organisations working internationally. The project was focused on environmental, ecological, and genomic analysis of UV on biofouling organisms. Laboratory experiments used molecular biology to explore exposure and response effects. This required the use of skills in cell viability assays, epifluorescent microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays for cyclobutane pyrimidine (CPD) formation, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis for eukaryotic and prokaryotic community assessment. The study also designed a bespoke field element that was manufactured and deployed both in Hartlepool, UK and Melbourne, Australia. The field study involved regular sampling which relied on the field and lab studies being efficiently planned and implemented. All aspects needed thorough assessments of risks both for general lab practice and for dangerous goods including chemical components (COSSH). The resulting thesis exceeded the original design with an additional chapter, a published manuscript that comprised one of the chapters and further publishable data which is under development for further manuscript submissions. A fraction of the data was presented at several conferences and was awarded the best presentation during the SNES fest conference.

  • Masters Student

    • Sep 2016 - Sep 2018

    As part of the SEAGAS initiative, the anaerobic digestion of the macroalgae Saccharina latissima for biogas formation was investigated. The project assessed the microbial ecology of eight bench-scale digesters operating different feedstocks and two pilot scale digesters replicating the most productive feedstock mix. The digestate had DNA extracted and amplified using PCR of the V3/4 region of the gene for the small ribosomal subunit for metagenomic sequencing. Bioinformatics were conducted on the data within Mothur, QIIME and Tax4Fun to produce taxonomic and functional pathway datasets. These datasets were assessed with the digester environ-mental data to determine community correlations, distinct populations, ecologically important taxa, and core community representatives. A requirement was to regularly provide presentations to the SEAGAS consortium and to present the work as a speaker at the phycological congress in Szczecin, Poland. http://www.seagas.co.uk/.

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  SYNLAB Analytics & Services

  • Cramlington, Newcatsle Upon Tyne, England

  • Laboratory Assistant

    • Apr 2018 - Sep 2018
    • Cramlington, Newcatsle Upon Tyne, England

    As part of the SYNLAB workforce, my role was aiding in microbial analytical testing. As part of a team, we conducted a wide range of microbial tests found in standard practice and some of which are unique to SYNLAB. This was in aid of delivering a high-quality analytical testing service, providing reassurance and security to the food, drink, healthcare, biotechnology and other industries. The position covered a wide range of laboratory protocols and has allowed me to gain experience in microbial analysis in a laboratory environment and working within a team.

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  Newcastle University

  • Dove Marine Laboratory

  • Dissertation

    • Sep 2015 - Jun 2016
    • Dove Marine Laboratory

    As part of my final year degree, my dissertation involved the experimentation on Homarus gammarus (European lobster) for the potential for the attraction of the opposite sex via olfactory senses.I built my own 2.5m Y maze with a flow-through system and currently testing whether there is a difference between which sex is the instigator in the mate attraction process.As H. gammarus are a commercially sought-after target species, by understanding the chemical basis behind the attraction process, could aid in sustainable aquaculture, mariculture and wild catch fisheries as well as aid in the conservation to their depleting numbers in the North sea.

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  Competitive Marine Projects (CMP)

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • Safety diver/ Submarine Pilot

    • Jun 2015 - Jul 2015
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    As part of the CMP, a side project along side my university degree, I was part of a four man team that designed and built a one man human powered submarine. Which we then competed against 14 other teams at Caderock Naval base in Washington D.C. in the 13th biennial international submarine race (ISR). Mainly I was the safety diver and pilot in control of all diving aspects and the buoyancy trim alterations. The design and construction took around 6-9 months to complete and required recruiting sponsorship from many companies to help with costs.It was an amazing opportunity that only ~4000 people, to date, have taken part in and has driven me to aim high in my aspirations.

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  DEEP BLUE DIVING LIMITED

  • Dive equipment adviser and till attendant

    • Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

    As part of the Deep Blue staff I engaged in customer relations both in person via email and on the phone. I was entrusted with cash till responsibilities and advised members of the public on specific diving equipment that would be optimal for their usage.

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  Harvey Shopfitters Limited

  • All over Uk

  • Joiner/ Dryliner

    • May 2011 - Jun 2012
    • All over Uk

    I worked all over the UK with Harvey’s shopfitters, refurbishing and building new McDonald’s, Nando's and Browns restaurants which consisted of; demolition, stud partitioning, window fitting, IPS and cubical installation and ceiling fixing we had short time scales, that had to be achieved, which utilised my time management skills.

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  Compass Cruise Holidays

  • Queensland, Australia

  • Dive Master

    • Oct 2009 - May 2010
    • Queensland, Australia

    Working on a ‘live aboard’ dive ship at sea for five days at a time completing an internship to receive a certification as Dive-master. Duties were to tie the boat up at different reef locations, maintain the boat, give briefings to passengers and colleagues, drive a glass bottom boat, teach courses to passengers and primarily take certified divers on underwater tours where I monitored their air and diving abilities. Once certified as Dive-master, I ran the back deck of both the day boat and the live aboard boat at which point, I was in charge of five crew as well as passenger safety.
This gave me valuable management skills as I had to delegate jobs to people and to make sure that safety and precise timing was up kept.

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  TSA Telstra

  • Melbourne, Australia

  • Salesman

    • Sep 2009 - Oct 2009
    • Melbourne, Australia

    As part of the Tsa Telstra team I sold a range of internet, phone and television packages. I worked independently as well as in a team. This was a short term role as I carried on my travels. 
This role gained me confidence in presentations and remembering precise information to deliver to groups of people improving my customer relations and presentation abilities.

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  P.whitworth Joinery

  • All over UK

  • Joiner/Dryliner

    • Aug 2003 - May 2009
    • All over UK

    I served my apprenticeship with my family business then once time served, I became self-employed. I completed a number of private and corporate builds around the country, ranging from hanging one door in a private home to completing 1st and 2nd fix on hospitals. I have extensive dry lining experience working in large teams and groups.