I am an interdisciplinary scientist interested in the interactions between benthic biota, sediment and water around our coasts. My research, and that of my lab group, is focused on understanding coastal ecosystem environments, particularly in the face of anthropogenic stressors. We aim to understand and quantify the role of benthic biota in ecosystem metabolism, carbon storage and cycling, nutrient cycles and sediment dynamics.

I am especially interested in the role that microorganisms and fauna play in the exchange of materials across the sediment-water and sediment-air interface. Microorganisms such as microscopic algae and bacteria and infauna that mediate the resuspension, transport and deposition of sediment, contaminants (such as microplastics) and organic matter (biostabilisation) as well as the exchange of dissolved carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. 

I collaborate with a wide range of scientists from ecologists, to sedimentologists and geoscientists and numerical modellers and supervise and mentor a variety of UG, MSc and PhD students and interns on their scientific journey.  I am a advocate for women in science and one of my primary goals as a PI is to create an environment where individuals thrive, not just survive. 

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Open to postgraduate supervision and collaborations.

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Melanie is a research fellow working part time (0.5 FTE) in the Hope laboratory on a philanthropically funded microplastics and heatwave project supported by the Marine March Initiative. Melanie also supports related research projects in this subject area e.g.  Michael Vail's project. She has a wealth of experience in setting up and running large scale mesocosm studies and is focusing on the effects on diatom community dynamics due to these combined stressors.

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Michael graduated from the University of St Andrews with BSc in Biology and Earth Sciences in 2023 and is a second year PhD student investigating the interactive effects of multiple anthropogenic stressors on soft sediment estuarine communities and their functioning. He is interested in the downstream effects of industrial and agricultural activities on important though frequently overlooked systems. His work mainly revolves around agrochemical pollutants, microplastics, climate change, biogeochemical cycling, and community structure and function. Michael grew up in Seattle Washington before moving to Scotland for his undergraduate program where he has lived since 2019. Outside of mud Michael enjoys cooking, running, woodworking, and gardening.

Supervisors: Primary Supervisor - Dr Julie Hope (Scottish Oceans Institute), Secondary Supervisor - Prof David Paterson (Scottish Oceans Institute).

 Other projects Michael is involved in:
Transition St Andrews community garden (link) leader/volunteer (2019 – present) and steering group member (2025 – present).
St Andrews practical conservation volunteer (2022 – present)
SOI Seminar coordinator and beach clean coordinator (2024 – present)
Green Shores (link) volunteer – salt marsh restoration (2024 – present)
St Andrews Biodiversity working group member (2024 – present)
BIRCH (link) project supervisor for the SOI Ambassador Project 2024.​

Cathi is a PhD candidate researching carbon reactivity in natural and managed saltmarsh–mudflat ecosystems across the UK and Europe. She focuses on the biotic and abiotic drivers of carbon reactivity and degradation, and how these factors vary across undisturbed sites and areas affected by management practices such as diking or managed realignment, stretching out from saltmarsh habitats to mudflats.

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Supervisors: Primary - Prof William Austin (School of Geography and Sustainable Development), Secondary - Dr Julie Hope (Scottish Oceans institute).

I’m a PhD researcher in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews. My research focuses on the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Scotland, using a two-part approach: first, through explanatory case studies to explore management practices and key lessons; and second, by conducting a Delphi study to identify and evaluate key performance indicators. I hold an MA in Sustainable Development from the University of St Andrews and an MSc in Conservation from University College London (UCL). My research draws on interdisciplinary methods to better understand how policy, science, and stakeholder perspectives shape conservation outcomes.

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Supervisors: Primary - Dr Stojanovich (School of Geography and Sustainable Development), Secondaries - Dr Hope (Scottish Oceans Institute), Amie Oman and Eunice Pinn (Nature Scotland).

I hold a bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of Karachi and a master's degree in wildlife ecology from Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan. Recognizing the importance of quantitative skills in the field of ecology, I completed a second master's degree in 2023, in Statistical Ecology from the University of St Andrews, UK. Apart from my academic career, I have had the privilege of working with conservation and science organizations the IUCN, Snow Leopard Foundation and Hima Verte in Pakistan and most recently with Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute in Scotland. Being a conservation enthusiast from Pakistan, a country ranked among the most vulnerable to climate change, I have always been driven to focus my research on protecting threatened species. My PhD research focuses on assessing anthropogenic threats facing engendered freshwater dolphins in the highly managed Indus River of Pakistan. This project will cover assessment multiple threats like microplastics, underwater noise and reduced water flow due to barrages and dams on river and their potential impact on river dolphins. 

Supervisors: Principal Supervisor - Dr Gill Braulik (Scottish Oceans Institute), Secondary Supervisors - Dr Sophie Smout (Scottish Oceans Institute), Dr Denise Risch (Scottish Association for Marine Science) and Dr Hope (Scottish Oceans Institute).