Andrew Searle (Project manager)

I joined the Deep-Sea Ecology and Biogeochemistry research group at Heriot-Watt University as Project Manager in spring 2022. In my first career I served for 28 years in the Royal Navy on ships and submarines in various wide-ranging logistics, operational and managerial roles. I subsequently worked for 3 years providing office and field-based IT support in the marine seismic survey industry.  I then worked for 6 years as field crew operator / supervisor conducting low level aerial geological surveys onboard Basler BT-67 DC3 converted aircraft, data acquisition/processing and associated day-to-day logistics. My career has taken me around the world often working for extended periods in remote and challenging environments and I look forward to supporting the research that the group is undertaking in any way I can.

Email: A.Searle@hw.ac.uk

Alycia Smith (PhD student)

In 2019, I graduated with an Integrated Master’s Degree in Marine Biology from the University of Southampton. I have long had an interest in deep-sea ecosystems and the species that call these environments home. My Bachelor thesis work involved conducting morphometric analyses to find potential sexually dimorphic traits of the largest deep-sea pycnogonid, Colossendeis colossea.

My Master thesis investigated the physicochemical effects (seabed stability, nutrient availability, sediment properties, etc) of storms on non-cohesive benthic ecosystems under future climate scenarios, and how these may impact on habitat suitability and seafloor ecosystem functioning.

My PhD is based at Heriot-Watt University and forms part of the DeepGreen baseline project, which aims to quantify seafloor biogeochemistry and ecosystem processes in the NORI-D license area of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone before any polymetallic nodule mining begins. This baseline data will then be used to make informed decisions to generate mining technologies that have as little environmental impact as possible.

Email: Ajs2000@hw.ac.uk.