IMIS - Marine Research Groups

My research focus is the taxonomy and ecology of deep-sea scavenging amphipods from the superfamily Lysianassoidea. As a taxonomist I have a keen interest in the advances in modern methods of taxonomic databasing, interactive web-based keys and digital illustration. I also retain more than a passing interest in fish parasitology and in particular studies of Cymothoid isopods following my PhD, studying the taxonomy, ecology and pathology of cymothoid isopods in both wild and farmed fish. I have been employed as a researcher on a variety of deep-sea biodiversity projects at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, since 2001. I am also the manager of the Discovery Collections, a unique collection of deep-sea samples held partly at NOC and partly at the Natural History Museum in London. I play an active role in WoRMS as the chief taxonomic editor of the World Amphipoda Database (http://www.marinespecies.org/amphipoda/index.php) and the World Register of Deep-Sea Species (WoRDSS http://www.marinespecies.org/deepsea/index.php). I have been a member of the Steering Committee, since 2012 and took on the position of Chair in 2016. I recognise the global significance of the WoRMS database and am keen to see continued improvements in standardisation and ease of use for both taxonomic editors and users.