Meet the Team

I earned my BSc in Environmental Science at University of Udine in 2019 and as part of my studies I had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus traineeship experience at Liverpool John Moores University in 2018. I then received my MSc in Environmental Biology at University of Turin in 2022,  followed by a second Erasmus traineeship placement at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

I have a multidisciplinary education and research experience that cover animal behaviour, ecology, and conservation. My interests are rather wide ranging, but my main focus is on ecological monitoring and the development of innovative tools that promote environmental quality and biodiversity protection.

I am now a PhD student working on the HydroGen project, targeting macroinvertebrates and microbial communities.

Twitter - @robertmoise_
ORCID - orcid.org/0009-0003-1049-5158

I studied Zoology in UCD completing my BSc in 2023. My final year thesis, which I completed with the A52 lab involved optimising eDNA sampling methods for the scat, drinking water and footprints of southern white and Indian rhinoceros. 

Continuing down the eDNA route, I now am a PhD candidate working on the HydroGen project within the A52 group where I focus on all things fish and diatoms. 

Find me on twitter @MichaelC62_

I have been employed as a senior genetics-lab technician at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Duke University Marine lab in the USA, University College Cork and University College Dublin in Ireland.

I have expertise in project and budget management, sample acquisition and sample repositories. My experience includes general lab duties, such as ordering supplies, lab organisation, equipment maintenance (PCR machines, automated sequencers and other laboratory hardware). Laboratory bench work including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis (microsatellites, SNPs), RFLP, and Sanger and next generation sequencing, environmental DNA (eDNA) and qPCR. 

I got my PhD in 2000, from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and have had several PostDoc appointments (DIFRES - Denmark, VIMS - USA).

In 2007 I was appointed as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Duke University and I maintain an Adjunct Associate Professorship there.

I moved back to Europe in 2009 and took up a position as Senior Research Fellow at UCC and have since 2012 worked at UCD.

My research interests are primarily in aquatic organisms (read fish), but I also apply genetics on questions ranging from viruses to humans. 

I am an applied freshwater ecologist in the School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin (UCD) and a member of the UCD Earth Institute.

My current research is primarily based on streams and rivers, but I have undertaken projects on lakes, ponds, canals, hyporheic fauna and riparian zones. My research focus is based on assessment of land-use and other anthropogenic activities on the physical, hydrochemical and ecological quality of surface waters with particular reference in recent years to multiple stressors and climate change. I am particularly interested in the small stream network and the level of intervention needed to not only protect water quality and biodiversity in headwaters but also to improve water quality further downstream.

I have also led projects and published on ecosystem services and engaged in research on natural capital accounting.

I am a environmental microbiologist and current Head of UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science.

On graduation with BSc in Microbiology from the National University of Ireland, Galway Associate, I came to UCD and completed a PhD on high maltose producing amylases. After 4 years working as an industry-funded postdoc, I joined the staff of the Department of Industrial Microbiology in UCD in 1990 and was Head of Department from 2002-2005. I was Head of Teaching and Learning in the School of Biology & Environmental Science from 2011-2015 and Deputy Head of School from 2014-2017. I was Associate Dean of Science and Chair of the Science Governing Board from 2017 -2019. I was General Secretary (2013-2016), Scientific Meetings Officer (2011-2013), Deputy Scientific Meetings Officer (2009-2011) and Chair of the Irish Division (2006-2009) of the Microbiology Society. 

I lead the Environmental Microbiology research group in UCD with my research focusing on the factors affecting microbial diversity and activity in the environment as a means of developing strategies for the reduction of greenhouse gases, restoration of contaminated sites and development of sustainable agricultural systems.

I got my PhD in 1986 from the University of Durham and, after a spell as a university lecturer in Nigeria, have largely focussed on the use of ecological information in decision making, particularly in the context of European legislation.

I developed the Trophic Diatom Index in 1995 and then helped produce a version compatible with the Water Framework Directive.  I also worked with CEN to develop standards for diatom sampling and analysis and with the European Commission to harmonise phytobenthos methods across the EU.

More recently, I have been working on best practice for setting nutrient targets that will support good ecological status.   I have been interested in the application of metabarcoding to ecological monitoring for about ten years, helping to develop a metabarcoding-based version of the TDI that is now used in England for routine monitoring.

In 2018 I was appointed as a Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham and I am also a Fellow of the Freshwater Biological Association. 

Frode Fossøy is a Senior Research Scientist, currently working in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and a geneticist with a broad background in molecular ecology  and biodiversity research. 

His expertise lies in developing genetic tools for applied science and management authorities with a strong emphasis on eDNA. He leads the eDNA research team at NINA and has developed state of the art state-of-the-art eDNA sampling methodology for monitoring fish, amphibians, bivalves, insects, and intestinal parasites for both aquatic and terrestrial systems for Norwegian authorities.