Profile

Currently living in Oban with my girlfriend, dog, and two guinea pigs. Currently stationed at SAMS, with an interest to work elsewhere in the future. My favourite food is lasagne or venison… Bit of a gamer and enthusiast of ‘nerdy’ collectables such as Pokemon. Pronouns: He/Him.

I’m looking to integrate worms into land-based aquaculture systems to treat waste from a primary product, reduce waste production and grow a secondary product. I’m creating a database of worm DNA to see which species of worm will fit my model best – then apply this theory to full tanks and grow the worms on waste from salmon, halibut and prawns.

The worms should grow effectively when fed on this waste. We will then harvest these worms as a ‘secondary product’, and use them in formulated feeds and feed them back into the tanks of fish – effectively creating a circular economy!

This theory, if correct, can be applied to agriculture and will effectively reduce harmful emissions, solid waste products and the new reliance on soy-based products for animal feed – this is a crucial first step in reducing our impact on climate change!

I’ve also previously worked with fish vaccine creation and health monitoring programs

First thing I do in the aquarium is take the water measurements – salinity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen content. From here, I’ll feed my anumals a pre-measured diet straight into the water. Sometimes I’ll need to remove their waste, but only every couple of days. There is also the not so small task of water changes in tropical experiments – that can take some time!

In the afternoon I’ll read scientific papers on my subject area and look for new ideas or patterns from other scientists. This can also be done when working on my database and the theory that I have. I’ll also write and contribute to other scientists writing who need my experience.

Sometimes I’ll be in the lab in the afternoon running some tests on the sea cucumber poo or other parts of the animals biology.