Shauna is a PhD student at the University of Exeter, working in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Her project, “Seaweed Diseases: Understanding seaweed host-pathogen interactions to improve commercial seaweed production”, will investigate the dynamics and  ‘chemical cross-talk’ between seaweed host, microbiome, and disease. The aim of this work is to help manage disease outbreaks and improve commercial seaweed production, aiding the expansion of seaweed cultivation in the UK.

Previously, Shauna studied a BSc in Biological sciences at the University of Exeter, where she conducted research on microplastic contamination in common shore crabs. After graduating, Shauna worked as an analytical chemist specialising in testing antibiotic and pesticide residues in a range of environmental matrices before returning to complete her MRes in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth & The Marine Biological Association. Her masters project utilised citizen science data to model the habitat use and risk exposure of bottlenose dolphins around the south of the UK.