Dr Luca Mirimin

Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology

Dr Luca Mirimin, Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology at GMIT and Researcher in Conservation Genetics and Applied Molecular Ecology at MFRC.

I hold an honours degree in Natural Sciences from University of Ferrara, Italy (2002) and a PhD in Zoology from University College Cork, Ireland (2007). Prior to my current academic position, I had been a researcher in several projects in UK, South Africa and Ireland. My research interests are in the development and application of molecular tools to aid aquatic ecosystems health and sustainable seafood production.

Projects

Lake surrounded by Conifer forest
This research will determine a baseline list of biological communities, comprising aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, invertebrates and vertebrates of dystrophic lakes and pools within Nephin Forest using eDNA.
Environmental DNA/RNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine biodiversity in Galway Bay, with particular attention to marine Invasive Alien Species (AIS)
IMG_2924
This project aims at developing state-of-the-art molecular tools for the rapid and cost-effective screening of plankton samples for the presence of bivalve and crustacean species of commercial value. This project is in collaboration with BIM and is funded by the European Maritime Fisheries Fund.
IMG_2888
The goal of this project is set up a set of novel tools for the detection and monitoring of marine invasive species in Irish coastal waters. This project is funded by the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
IMG_2303
The main goal of this project is to develop and apply an environmental DNA (eDNA) protocol for the detection and monitoring of declining Irish Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)
image28
This research explored the use of environmental DNA technologies for monitoring pollan (Coregonus autumnalis) in Irish waters
image6
The ADIOS project aims are to advance our understanding of amoebic gill disease affecting Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using a range of molecular and microbiological techniques
image34
This project assessed the conservation status of the white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, in all fifteen Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Ireland
image27
This MSc project (student Daniel Brady) was co-funded by GMIT and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
_DSC5323
MFRC PhD student Ms Kristina Steinmetz, is using non-invasive techniques to assess management units and conservation priorities for grey and harbour seals in Irish and north-western European waters