Overview

Biography

I am currently a Lecturer in Ecology and Environmental Sustainability at Bournemouth University and a Visiting Researcher at the University of Glasgow. I am an environmental geochemist specialising in mineral–water interactions, carbonate geochemistry, carbon dioxide removal and environmental remediation, with over ten years of international research experience across academia and industry.

I earned an MSc in Petroleum Geology from the University of Pau, France, followed by nine months at the TotalEnergies research centre in Pau, where I investigated carbonate source rocks from the Aquitaine Basin. I subsequently undertook Erasmus+ research projects at the University of Aberdeen, focusing on terrestrial microbial carbonates, sedimentology and mineralogical processes.

From 2017 to 2021, I completed a PhD in Geology at the University of Hull, developing new approaches to understanding mineral–water interactions in alkaline anthropogenic waste environments. My doctoral research investigated carbonate mineral formation, geochemical processes and contaminant behaviour in industrially impacted environments. Alongside my research, I contributed extensively to undergraduate teaching in geology and physical geography, including laboratory instruction, field teaching, student supervision and assessment.

I subsequently worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Greenhouse Gas Removal at Heriot-Watt University, focusing on the development of innovative carbon dioxide removal strategies, particularly ocean alkalinity enhancement through novel carbonate materials. My research centred on mineral characterisation, carbonate formation and dissolution kinetics, and the assessment of mineral-based approaches to atmospheric CO₂ removal. This work contributed to international collaborations evaluating the scientific and technical feasibility of ocean alkalinity enhancement and other negative emission technologies.

I also worked as a Geochemical Consultant for Flux, investigating the mineralogical characteristics, reactivity and environmental suitability of feedstocks for enhanced rock weathering, further strengthening my expertise in sustainable mineral-based carbon sequestration.

More recently, I joined the University of Glasgow as a Research Associate within the GALLANT programme, working on the project Simultaneous Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Remediation. My research focused on chemical and microbially induced mineral carbonation to sequester CO₂ while immobilising contaminants in degraded urban soils. Integrating laboratory investigations with pilot-scale field experiments, this work explored the potential of geochemical processes to restore soil functionality, reduce environmental risks and contribute to more sustainable urban environments.

In my current role at Bournemouth University, I combine research and teaching across ecology, environmental sciences and sustainability, with a particular interest in applying geochemical knowledge to contemporary environmental challenges. I also maintain an active research affiliation with the University of Glasgow as a Visiting Researcher, supporting continued interdisciplinary collaboration in environmental geochemistry, carbon sequestration and soil remediation.

My research sits at the interface of carbonate geochemistry, environmental science and sustainability, bridging fundamental understanding of mineral–environment interactions with practical applications in climate change mitigation, contaminated land restoration and ecosystem resilience. I am particularly interested in translating laboratory-scale discoveries into innovative, scalable and environmentally responsible solutions to pressing societal challenges.

I am a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA) and a Fellow of the Durham Institute of Research, Development, and Invention (FDIRDI), reflecting my commitment to higher education, interdisciplinary research and scientific collaboration.

Areas of expertise

Environmental Geochemistry; Sedimentology; Carbonate Systems; Anthropocene Environments; Microbialites; Pre-salt Reservoirs; Carbonate Source Rocks; Hyperalkaline Steel Slag; Mineral–Water Interactions; Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR); Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR); Mineral Carbonation; Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE); Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW); Ikaite; Geochemical Kinetics; Contaminated Land Remediation; Soil Restoration; Environmental Sustainability; Climate Change Mitigation.