PGR Forum

I am a marine ecologist and current PhD student at Swansea University. At Swansea, I am working in the Coastal Ecology Research Group where my PhD is using the biological traits of a variety of brown seaweed species in relation to how quickly they decomposed. Using a variety of field, laboratory and modelling techniques, my PhD aims to assess the carbon contribution of detached seaweed to deep ocean sinks. My educational background started with a BSc Marine Biology degree at Plymouth University and an MSc in quantitative ecology at Glasgow University. In-between my education, I have worked with the Marine Biological Association, the British Antarctic Survey and Roscoff Biology station as a researcher investigating decomposition rates of different seaweed species. In my spare time, I have volunteered for the RSPB on several reserves in Cambridge and Scotland, assisting with habitat management and surveys. I have recently joined the Gower ringing group following previous inspiration from assisting with bird ringing sessions with the Wash Wader Group in Norfolk. I actively attend Extinction Rebellion meetings following a deep concern for the lack of political will in reduction biodiversity loss and climate collapse.

I'm Chiara. I was born and raised in a small town near Munich, Germany. Growing up in a rural area close to the mountains, I developed a strong interest in nature and addressing climate change, which led me to study Physics and Meteorology for my Bachelor’s degree. I then pursued a Master’s degree in Climate Science before moving to Swansea to begin my PhD in Physical Geography and Glaciology.

Over the years, I have gained experience through several internships and research projects in climate modelling, data analysis, and sea-ice physics.

During my PhD, I investigate how variability in Antarctic calving-front extent affects Antarctic ice flow and mass balance. This research is important because Antarctica is expected to contribute significantly to future sea-level rise in a warming climate through both the acceleration of grounded ice flow and increased basal melting.

I am a marine biologist, conservationist, and environmental researcher based in Wales, with a passion for understanding and restoring the natural world through science, technology, and community action. Growing up on a nature-friendly farm shaped my connection to the environment and ultimately led me into a career in conservation and marine science. I hold a BSc in Applied Marine Biology from Bangor University and an MRes in Marine Biology from University of Plymouth, where my research focused on AI and deep learning applications in benthic habitat mapping and ecological monitoring.

Over the past several years, I have worked across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial conservation in Wales, including roles with Natural Resources Wales and The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, leading landscape-scale nature recovery initiatives and multi-partner conservation projects. My work spans habitat restoration, species reintroductions, ecological monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and the development of innovative environmental monitoring approaches using low-cost sensors, AI, and IoT technologies.

I am currently undertaking PhD research focused on developing accessible, low-cost monitoring systems for coastal ecosystem restoration, combining ecology, electronics, and data science to better understand how dynamic environments such as saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, and tidal flats respond to environmental change.