Biography
After graduating with an MSci. in Geology from Birmingham University, I worked in the oil and gas industry as a formation damage geologist for 6 months. I then had a complete career change and moved to South Korea to work as an English teacher. After 2 years as a senior teacher, I returned to the UK (2008) to pursue a career in academia by studying for a Ph.D in soil biogeochemistry at Bangor University, looking at drivers controlling soil respiration in temperate grasslands and high Arctic tundra in Svalbard. I was awarded the Drapers’ Company Bronze medal (2013) in recognition of outstanding academic achievements and for providing pastoral support to my peers.
Since completing my PhD, I have worked as a biogeochemist on 2 large NERC-funded consortium projects (2013-2017), both at Bangor university. My research explored critical thresholds controlling microbial pathways in terrestrial and aquatic environments (North Wales and SW England) to understand their role in larger scale, global nutrient (C, N and P) cycling processes (for further project information follow the links http://www.turf2surf.org/ and http://www.nerc-domaine.uk/).
I then joined the Geography, Geology and the Environment group at Keele university as a Lecturer in Physical Geography in 2017 where I am keen to develop new and exciting research ideas and continue to widen my research collaborations.
Research and scholarship
Qualifications and Membership of Professional Bodies
M.Sci. (Hons) Geology, University of Birmingham (2001-2005)
Ph.D. Soil biogeochemistry, Bangor University (2008-2012)
Member of the British Society of Soil Science
Research interests
Nutrient cycling in temperate and Arctic soils
Climate change and its effect on soil nutrient cycling
Biogeochemistry in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
Soil-microbe interactions
Dissolved organic matter processing my microbial communities
Modelling soil microbial nutrient cycles
Further information
Selected Publications
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Rapid depletion of dissolved organic sulphur (DOS) in freshwaters. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY, 105-113, vol. 149(1). link> doi> full text>2020.
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Microbial uptake kinetics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) compound groups from river water and sediments. Sci Rep, 11229, vol. 9(1). link> doi> full text>2019.
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Nutrient enrichment induces a shift in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) metabolism in oligotrophic freshwater sediments. Sci Total Environ, 1131-1139, vol. 690. link> doi> full text>2019.
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Variation in dissolved organic matter (DOM) stoichiometry in UK freshwaters: Assessing the influence of land cover and soil C:N ratio on DOM composition. Limnology and Oceanography, 2328-2340, vol. 64(6). link> doi> link> full text>2019.
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Stoichiometric constraints on the microbial processing of carbon with soil depth along a riparian hillslope. Biol Fertil Soils, 949-963, vol. 54(8). link> doi> full text>2018.
Full Publications Listshow
Journal Articles
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Rapid depletion of dissolved organic sulphur (DOS) in freshwaters. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY, 105-113, vol. 149(1). link> doi> full text>2020.
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Microbial uptake kinetics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) compound groups from river water and sediments. Sci Rep, 11229, vol. 9(1). link> doi> full text>2019.
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Nutrient enrichment induces a shift in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) metabolism in oligotrophic freshwater sediments. Sci Total Environ, 1131-1139, vol. 690. link> doi> full text>2019.
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Variation in dissolved organic matter (DOM) stoichiometry in UK freshwaters: Assessing the influence of land cover and soil C:N ratio on DOM composition. Limnology and Oceanography, 2328-2340, vol. 64(6). link> doi> link> full text>2019.
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Stoichiometric constraints on the microbial processing of carbon with soil depth along a riparian hillslope. Biol Fertil Soils, 949-963, vol. 54(8). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Quantifying the contribution of riparian soils to the provision of ecosystem services. Science of the Total Environment, 807-819, vol. 624. link> doi> link> full text>2018.
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Spatial zoning of microbial functions and plant-soil nitrogen dynamics across a riparian area in an extensively grazed livestock system. SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY, 153-164, vol. 120. link> doi> full text>2018.
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Delineating and mapping riparian areas for ecosystem service assessment. ECOHYDROLOGY, Article ARTN e1928, vol. 11(2). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Microbial use of low molecular weight DOM in filtered and unfiltered freshwater: Role of ultra-small organisms and implications for water quality monitoring. Science of the Total Environment, 377-384, vol. 598. doi> link> full text>2017.
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Leaf dry matter content is better at predicting above-ground net primary production than specific leaf area. Functional Ecology. doi>2017.
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Leaf dry matter content is better at predicting above-ground net primary production than specific leaf area. Functional Ecology. doi>2017.
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Spatial patterns and environmental constraints on ecosystem services at a catchment scale. Science of the Total Environment. doi>2016.
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Spatial patterns and environmental constraints on ecosystem services at a catchment scale. Science of the Total Environment. doi>2016.
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Microbes as engines of ecosystem function: when does community structure enhance predictions of ecosystem processes?. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi>2016.
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Microbes as engines of ecosystem function: when does community structure enhance predictions of ecosystem processes?. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi>2016.
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Combined use of empirical data and mathematical modelling to better estimate the microbial turnover of isotopically labelled carbon substrates in soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2015.
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Variations in microbial community structure through the stratified water column in the Tyrrenian Sea (Central Mediterranean). Proceedings- Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology Part a Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology. doi>2015.
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Variations in microbial community structure through the stratified water column in the Tyrrenian Sea (Central Mediterranean). Proceedings- Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology Part a Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology. doi>2015.
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Root exudate carbon was more effective than soil organic carbon at decreasing the risk of nitrogen loss in a semi-arid soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2015.
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Root exudate carbon was more effective than soil organic carbon at decreasing the risk of nitrogen loss in a semi-arid soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2015.
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A novel biologically-based approach to evaluating soil phosphorous availability across complex landscapes. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2015.
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A novel biologically-based approach to evaluating soil phosphorous availability across complex landscapes. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2015.
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Life in the ‘charosphere’ – Does biochar in agricultural soil provide a significant habitat for microorganisms?. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2013.
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Life in the ‘charosphere’ – Does biochar in agricultural soil provide a significant habitat for microorganisms?. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2013.
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Temperature and water controls on vegetation emergence, microbial dynamics, and soil carbon and nitrogen fluxes in a high Arctic tundra ecosystem. Functional Ecology. doi>2012.
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Mineralization of low molecular weight carbon substrates in soil solution under laboratory and field conditions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. doi>2012.
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Soil respiration across three contrasting ecosystem types: comparison of two portable IRGA systems. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. doi>2011.
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Lack of correlation between turnover of low molecular weight dissolved organic and differences in microbial community composition or growth across a soil pH gradient. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. doi>2011.
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Lack of correlation between turnover of low molecular weight dissolved organic and differences in microbial community composition or growth across a soil pH gradient. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. doi>2011.
Other
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Soil physical, chemical and biological measurements in the Conwy Catchment (North Wales) 2013 and 2014. doi>
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Plant aboveground and belowground standing biomass measurements in the Conwy catchment in North Wales (2013 and 2014). doi>
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Plant aboveground and belowground standing biomass measurements in the Conwy catchment in North Wales (2013 and 2014). doi>
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Soil carbon data in the Conwy catchment in North Wales 2014. doi>
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Plant physiological measurements in North Wales and Northwest England (2013, 2014 and 2016).
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Plant physiological measurements in North Wales and Northwest England (2013, 2014 and 2016).



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