Research Interests

Biodiversity & Biogeography

I’m interested in the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity in coastal and oceanic ecosystems through time and space. How, and if, these drivers produce meaningful delineated biogeographic regions, and to what extent anthropogenic forces affect the diversity and distribution of life.

Relevant Publications

Holman et al. 2021 Nature Eco. & Evo. PDFHolman et al. 2019 Sci. Reports PDF

Biological Invasions

The anthropogenic redistribution of animals and plants across the globe can have a dramatic effect on ecosystems and carries an increasing economic cost. I'm interested in using marine introductions as ecological experiments to understand the fundamental rules governing species ranges. In conjunction I work to develop methods for management and early detection of potentially harmful non-natives species.

Relevant Publications

Fernandez et al. 2021 Mar Pollut Bull PDFHolman et al. 2019 Sci. Reports PDFHolman et al. 2019 Ecosphere PDFBourne et al. 2018 Marine Genomics (textbook chapter) PDF

Environmental DNA (eDNA)

Using DNA isolated from environmental samples (eDNA) to infer the incidence of local aquatic species is an excellent way to produce high resolution biodiversity data. I’m interested in contributing to basic eDNA research to help us understand the frontiers and limitations of this novel tool. I focus particularly on eDNA based methods using high-throughput sequencing.

Relevant Publications

Holman et al. 2019 Sci. Reports PDFDeiner et al. 2018 Metabar. & Metagen. PDFParis et al. 2018 J. Fish Biol. PDF

Aquaculture Genomics

I’m acutely aware of the impact of aquaculture on natural marine systems and understand that most people are connected to the sea through their food. I maintain research and collaborations with the aquaculture industry with a view to developing tools and resources that help drive sustainable and low-impact aquaculture.

Relevant Publications

Holman et al. 2019 Front. Genetics PDFHolman et al. 2017 Aquaculture PDFMPhil Thesis 2017 University of St Andrews - link