Overview

I am an environmental biologist investigating how environmental stressors affect living organisms in aquatic systems, both within natural environments and in aquaculture. My research focuses on fish and other aquatic invertebrates and has ranged from investigating the mechanisms of toxicity of environmental chemicals using (epi)genomics approaches to understanding disease susceptibility within aquaculture. I am part of the Environmental Biology research group.

Qualifications

2010 Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Exeter, UK

2002 PhD in Fish Reproductive Endocrinology, Brunel University, UK

1995 Degree in Aquatic Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal

Career

2019 - Present Associate Professor in Environmental Biology, University of Exeter

2014-2019 Senior Lecturer in Environmental Biology, University of Exeter

2008-2014 Lecturer in Environmental Biology, University of Exeter

2005-2008 NERC Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Exeter

2001-2005 BBSRC Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Exeter

Research group links

• Environmental Biology

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Research

Research interests

Our research team is interested in understanding how stressors impact aquatic animals, both in the short and long term. Our research activities use a range of genomics, epigenomics and physiological tools to focus on the following questions:

• Disease in Aquaculture: understanding resistance and susceptibility to pathogens
• Epigenetics in Aquaculture: opportunities to improve productivity and health in farmed animals
• Mechanisms of toxicity of environmental stressors
• Long lasting effects of chemical exposures on the epigenome and their potential to alter the outcomes of future exposures
• Multiple stressors and their interactions

Research grants

• 2013 PhD studentship (SWDTP)
  Using integrative physiology to improve the sustainability of fish aquaculture. Co-I.
• 2013 PhD studentship (Fisheries Society of the British Isles)
  Differential susceptibility to copper in wild populations of three-spined stickleback. PI.
• 2012 Visiting PhD Studentship (National Taiwan University)
  The role of DNA methylation on sexual determination and development in zebrafish germ cells. PI
• 2012 PhD Studentship (CEFAS and University of Exeter)
  Effects of hypoxia on the toxicity of model chemicals in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). PI
• 2012 Society for Reproduction and Fertility
  The role of DNA methylation on sex determination and development in zebrafish germ cells. PI
• 2012 Cefas and University of Exeter
  Building a Molecular Platform for Understanding the Host-Pathogen Interface in Invertebrates. CoI
• 2011 Cefas
  Investigating the potential molecular mechanisms associated with white spot virus resistance in Carcinus maenas. CoI
• 2011 Fisheries Society of the British Isles
  Searching for evidence of adaptation to copper in a population of three-spined stickleback. PI
• 2011 Wellcome Trust
  Influence of hypoxia on chemical toxicity during embryogenesis. PI
• 2011 BBSRC PhD Studentship
  Physiology of gut carbonate production by marine fish - roles of hypoxia and sex hormones. CoI
• 2009 NERC CASE Studentship (open competition)
  PhD studentship (with the Salmon and Trout Association) - Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the sustainability of brown trout populations in the UK: relative impact of EDCs compared with other environmental stressors. PI
• 2009 AstraZeneca
  DTI KTP - Implementation of Molecular Tools into chemical testing. CoI
• 2008 Royal Society Travel Grant
  Travel grant to attend the SETAC Europe 18th Annual Meeting
• 2008 Royal Society Research Grant
  Identifying the molecular basis of sexual dominance in male zebrafish.
• 2004 Fisheries Society of the British Isles
  Travel Grant to attend the 5th International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology.

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External Engagement and Impact

Editorial responsibilities

Reviewer for a number of international journals including, Environmental Science and Technology, Environmental Health Perspectives, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, General and Comparative Endocrinology, Aquatic Toxicology, Journal of Fish Biology, Aquaculture, PLOS One, Molecular Biology Reports and Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.

Top Reviewer Award from Environmental Science and Technology (2012).

Top Reviewer Award from General and Comparative Endocrinology (2009).

Invited lectures

11th International Congress on the Biology of Fish, August 2014, Edinburgh (Plenary Speaker)

Cardill University, December 2013

Cardiff University, December 2012.

20th Annual Meeting of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), May 2010, Seville, Spain.

NERC-KT workshop on Fish Toxicogenomics. May 2009, Exeter, UK.

NERC International workshop on fish toxicogenomics moving into monitoring and regulation April 2008, Environment Canada, North Vancouver, Canada.

SEB Annual Main Meeting, April 2006, Canterbury, UK.

Media Coverage

Our research on endocrine disrupting chemicals has been communicated widely to the public and received extensive press coverage over time.

In 2004, our work on the application of transcriptomics approaches to understand the effects of oestrogenic chemicals in fish was presented at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.

In 2011, our work on endocrine disrupting chemicals received the Exeter Impact Award for Outstanding Impact in Public Policy and Services.

In 2013, our work on metal tolerance in brown trout received extensive local, national and international media coverage and was featured in the ITV news.

Workshops/Conferences organised

Chair of Knowledge Transfer workshop on Analysis of gene expression using next generation sequencing. Exeter, 2011.

Chair of the session Endocrine Disruption, SETAC Europe 18th Annual Meeting, Warsaw, Poland, 2008.

Member of the organising committee of the UK-Japan consortium on endocrine disruptors.

Member of the organising committee of the Credo workshop on Ecological Relevance of Chemically Induced Endocrine Disruption in Wildlife, Exeter 2004.

Chair of the session Effects of Anthropogenic and Environmental Factors on the Endocrine System, 5th International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology, Spain, 2004.

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Teaching

In my teaching activities I use innovative approaches that deliver state-of-the-art, research-led teaching in formats that engage student participation, to give students the best possible experience and preparation for their future careers.

Undergraduate

• NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Sciences
• NSC1004 Frontiers in Science
• BIO2082 Animal Ecophysiology
• BIO3047 Advanced Topics in Animal Physiology

 

Modules

2023/24

Information not currently available

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Supervision / Group

Postdoctoral researchers

Postgraduate researchers

Alumni

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