I am a Marine Institute Cullen PhD student investigating food web dynamics and responses to environmental change in a deep humic lake at Lough Feeagh in the Burrishoole catchment in County Mayo. I am supervised by Dr Louise Vaughan, Dr Deirdre Brophy, and Dr Elvira de Eyto.
Prior to starting my PhD, I graduated with First-Class Honours in Applied Freshwater and Marine Biology from ATU Galway. My final year project examined how changes in growth patterns and environmental variables may influence salmon migration timing, using scale analysis and long-term environmental datasets from the Burrishoole system.
My professional experience with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Marine Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Complete Laboratory Solutions has given me a strong foundation in fisheries monitoring, environmental sampling, water chemistry, and data analysis.
Through my work, and as an angler and outdoorsman, I feel that our freshwater ecosystems are approaching a critical tipping point due to multiple pressures. Through my research, I hope to contribute to evidence based freshwater management, conservation, and restoration in Ireland so that these ecosystems are protected for future generations.
