Natural Sciences & Environment

Dr Yasemin D. Aktas is Associate Professor in Applied Materials and Structures at UCL, specialising in the resilience of buildings and communities to climate and geophysical hazards. Her research spans earthquake engineering, disaster response, and recovery, combining structural analysis with environmental health perspectives. She has led major field missions, including post-earthquake studies in Turkey and the Aegean. Her work also examines moisture, flooding, and indoor air quality impacts on buildings, particularly heritage and social housing. Actively engaged in policy, she contributes to housing and public health guidance while advancing community-centred, equitable resilience through international research collaborations.

Sarah specialises in using the fossil remains of calcifying marine plankton (coccolithophores and calcareous nannoplankton) to explore ecosystem and evolutionary response to past environmental perturbation and ocean acidification. Her approach integrates geological evidence with insights of the modern ocean to better understand the implications of ongoing environmental change.

Hocein’s research interests are Marine Protected Areas (MPA) (ecological characterisation, protected species and habitats, conservation, management, ecological monitoring) and marine biological introductions. He has an extensive experience on coastal and marine biodiversity, ecological monitoring and on the elaboration of concerted and participatory management plans of MPAs.

Keith is the Director of the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and the General Secretary of the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS). He has a broad knowledge of terrestrial natural history, most notably plants, insects and birds. Keith’s key interests include migration ecology, invasive species ecology, the diversity, ecology and conservation of species and habitats in Gibraltar, and succulent floras with a focus on Morocco. He has contributed to studies with a particular focus on hymenoptera, formicidae, odonata, coleoptera and lepidoptera. Keith is particularly interested in the ecology and conservation of species and habitats in Gibraltar.

Professor Cortes is an ecologist and zoologist, currently serving as the Minister for the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change, and Education. Prof Cortes was the first General Secretary of the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) in 1976. He served as Director of the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens from 1991 until 2011. In 2003, Prof Cortes was awarded an MBE for services to Ecology and the Environment. His research interests encompass ornithology, plant and animal ecology, primatology, and conservation biology. His specialisations include invasive species, reptile ecology, cliff ecology, phenology of migration, and the ecology and behaviour of the Barbary Macaque.

Jaime is a deep-sea ecologist, with over 17 years’ experience. Her work has provided biological data to conservation agencies to aid deep-sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) implementation. Her expertise is in annotation of imagery data (still and video) to identify deep-sea animals, allowing mapping of important habitats. She co-founded the Submarine Canyon Network INCISE, to facilitate inter-disciplinary collaboration. She is interested in the effect of anthropogenic activities, specifically on how marine litter interacts with benthic animals, its effects and how to mitigate further damage and decline of habitats.

Awantha is an experienced researcher with a background in marine biology, including a PhD in marine biology (crustacean ecophysiology). He has over 18 years’ experience of both laboratory and field research with a focus on outlining physiological functioning in aquatic organisms, comprising of a multidisciplinary approach (from the molecular level to physiological) to evaluating whole organism function and associated effects upon organism behaviour.

Professor Fa’s research embraces biology, economics, anthropology, and development. She has led projects in Africa and South America that pursue a wide variety of global biodiversity issues – defaunation of tropical rainforests, food security, indigenous peoples and the impact of diseases on wildlife and humans.
Julia has over 200 peer-reviewed publications and nine books in her name, and has led numerous research projects in different parts of the world. She also teaches on a number of courses in academic institutions in the UK, Europe, Africa and Latin American countries.

Darren’s research mainly focuses on the marine ecology and biology of rocky intertidal and shallow benthic ecosystems, particularly on aspects of diversity, biogeography, climate change impacts and conservation, with a specific focus on marine molluscs. He is a recognised authority on the highly endangered Mediterranean ribbed limpet, Patella ferruginea. Other research has concentrated on the archaeological and ecological implications of global climatic events (particularly Pleistocene glacial cycles and sea-level changes) on the behaviour, distribution, evolutionary dynamics and extinction of palaeofauna including prehistoric human populations, with special reference to the relationship between people and the sea in the past.

Geraldine is the Managing Director and Director of Heritage and Environmental Services at the Gibraltar National Museum, and World Heritage Site Coordinator of the Gorham’s Cave Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gibraltar. Her research focuses on the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of vegetation and animals, and the relationships between climate, vegetation landscape features and biodiversity, mainly within the Iberian Peninsula during the Quaternary. She is co-director of the excavations at Gorham’s Cave Complex and her main work has focussed on the influence of climate on vegetation and bird distribution, and Neanderthal behaviour and has published widely in these fields.

Stewart Finlayson is the Director of the Gibraltar National Museum’s Natural History Department and Director (Natural Environment) at the Gorham’s Cave Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stewart is a research fellow at Liverpool John Moores University and Adjunct Researcher at the University of Gibraltar is. He is part of the IUCN Bat Specialist Group, and holds the highest Grade 7 bat handling license issued by the Government of Gibraltar, which allows him to train other individuals. His research interests include Neanderthal behavioural ecology, biogeography of palaearctic birds, behavioural ecology of bats, swifts and Crag martins.

Professor Finlayson is the Director of the Gibraltar National Museum, where he is Chief Scientist and Curator. He is also the Director of the Gorham’s Cave Complex UNESCO World Heritage Site. Clive’s research interests range from archaeology to ecology, including the biogeography of hominins, avian biogeography, evolutionary ecology and human origins. Clive has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and has written a number of books, including Neanderthals and Modern Humans (Cambridge University Press), The Humans who went Extinct, the Improbable Primate (Oxford University Press) and Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar and Avian Survivors (Bloomsbury).

Jose Carlos is Professor in Zoology at the University of Seville, Spain and the Director of the Laboratory of Marine Biology. He is an expert in the field of Marine Biology. His research interests include exotic algae with invasive potential and environmental monitoring and surveillance.

Rhian is responsible for curating the insect collections at the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens. Her research interests are specialised in the taxonomy of Mediterranean ants, having produced papers identifying new species in different regions of Spain and documenting the species in Gibraltar, producing work on the behavioural traits of ant colonies. Rhian also carries out work on invasive ants in the UK Overseas Territories, and have a broad knowledge of invasive ant species around the world. She also has contributed to projects involving the identification of all Lepidoptera species in Gibraltar and the ecology of bats, swifts and Crag Martins.

Lilli is Darwin Plus Fellow working on the conservation and management of Gibraltar’s Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Her research focuses on developing a comprehensive digital database to track individual macaques, supporting conservation efforts and policy decisions. With a strong interest in animal behaviour and macaque troop movements, Lilli aims to enhance understanding of their dynamics and interactions. She is focused on wildlife management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and sustainable conservation strategies. In collaboration with Gibraltar’s Department of Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change, and Heritage (DESCCH), her work seeks to modernise macaque management and ensure their long-term protection through a scientific, data-driven approach.

Dr Menez is Senior Scientific and Conservation Officer at the Gibraltar National Museum and Associate Director, Gibraltar Caves Project. He is a member of two statutory bodies in Gibraltar: the Nature Conservancy Council and the CITES Scientific Authority, Member of the Royal Society of Biology and Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. He is a member of the Field Ecology Research Group at the University of Gibraltar. Alex’s interests are ecology, evolution, malacology, and natural history in Gibraltar, including geology, palaeontology, and palaeoanthropology. He has articles on these topics, and a book on the history of the Gibraltar Skull.

Liesl is the Principal Secretary of the Department of the Environment of the Government of Gibraltar. Her areas of expertise include environmental quality and ethics, conservation tools and strategy, international environmental law, and environmental policy and governance. With over 20 years of experience in environmental management, Dr. Mesilio has been instrumental in advancing policies on climate change, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices in Gibraltar. She has worked extensively on drafting environmental legislation and collaborates with EU and UK Overseas Territories on marine policy, habitats, and renewable energy.

Kieran has worked as oceanographer at the Naval Oceanographic Office, performing tasks on various aspects of operational and predictive oceanography, including ocean forecasting and model development, data analysis and ocean observations. He has developed models for studying the impacts of pollution on ocean systems, including organic pollutants and climate change.
Kieran research interests are: Ocean circulation (modelling, processes, analysis), cycling and transport of pollutants in coastal and ocean ecosystems, climate change, UXOs (unexploded ordnance), ocean pollution impacts on human health (food safety and security), and risk prediction and assessment.

Rob’s research investigates whether a broadband microphone array can detect the three-dimensional (3D) trajectory of echolocating bats. Utilising a scientific engineering approach, a low-cost digital recording method is being developed to measure the time difference of arrival (TDOA) from an ultrasonic sound source within a specific sensor array geometry.

Petros’ research focuses on investigating and quantitatively assessing the thermoregulatory functions of two distinct morphotypes of strictly protected Patella ferruginea limpets. Specifically, the aim is to determine whether differences in shell size, shape, slope, surface area, and morphological complexity confer thermal advantages that align body temperature with local climatic conditions.

Tasmin’s research focuses on enhancing the understanding of wetlands in drylands and their significance concerning regional and global carbon stocks, particularly in southwest Spain. These wetlands are vital habitats for migrating birds and serve as important tourist destinations, providing valuable ecosystem services, including sea salt extraction through flooded salt pans. However, they face significant threats from intensive agriculture, salt marsh drainage, pollution from mining, and climate change, necessitating effective management. The aim is to develop a framework for integrated management that incorporates scientific insights into policy to ensure the sustainability of these crucial ecosystems.

Tyson’s research focuses on the ecology of aerial insectivores, particularly bats and birds. His interest in cave-dwelling species has led to broader investigations of caves as reservoirs of biological, geological, and historical data. As a founding member and secretary of the Gibraltar National Museum’s Caving Unit, he has helped catalogue over 200 caves for interdisciplinary study. His work aims to protect these fragile environments and explore their archaeological and palaeontological significance. Tyson also contributes to a study on the movement ecology of yellow-legged gulls in Gibraltar, using GPS tracking to understand feeding behaviour and minimise aircraft collision risks.

Carmel’s research focuses on the intersection of built and natural assets, particularly in the context of sustainable urban development and the preservation of heritage buildings. With expertise in architecture and urban design, she is keen on leveraging technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), smart building technology, and non-destructive surveying methods to monitor long-term asset risks. Carmel’s work aims to overcome barriers to effective maintenance and cost-effective investments in built assets, enhancing lifecycle costing accuracy.

Evita’s research focuses on the restoration of European flat oyster reefs, particularly the native species Ostrea edulis, which have suffered significant declines due to habitat loss, degradation, and environmental stressors. She aims to develop effective restoration strategies by mimicking oyster reef structures and investigating recruitment patterns, post-recruitment survival, and biodiversity dynamics. Despite extensive research on oyster larval behaviour, there remains a gap in understanding its specific relation to recruitment and settlement success in Ostrea edulis habitats

Bethany’s research interests centre on ecology, wildlife management, and conservation, with a focus on societal perceptions and improving wildlife management under significant anthropogenic pressures. Her interdisciplinary approach combines insights from ecology, sociology, and community engagement to address the dynamics between Barbary macaques and Gibraltar residents. Bethany is committed to revealing the behavioural patterns and ecological factors shaping these interactions and employs methodologies from wildlife management and ecological research. She is also keen to explore the potential of citizen science to bridge the gap between scientific research and community involvement.

Caroline’s research focuses on strengthening research capacity across the British Overseas Territories (BOTs), particularly on natural history and heritage. Using Gibraltar as case study, her work supports the development of tools such as the Gibraltar Biodiversity Portal and Gibraltar Repository to improve access to and visibility of ‘hidden’ collections. Her research investigates current limitations in research infrastructure, the challenges faced by BOTs, and strategies to enhance collaboration. Her study seeks to empower BOTs to harness their natural and cultural assets while fostering more connected and resilient communities. Caroline is also the University Parasol Librarian and Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Natalie’s research focuses on the development of conservation tools aimed at enhancing conservation practices. It involves adapting and creating tools based on international lessons learned while identifying areas for improvement. A key aspect addresses the challenges of insufficient data and reporting, incorporating desk-based assessments to evaluate habitat and species sensitivity to pressures such as anchoring and fishing. The principle aim is to establish a comprehensive database for efficient assessments of conservation activities and to enhance reporting on Good Environmental Status to the Gibraltarian and UK governments.

Samantha’s research examines the drivers of climate variability, such as major atmospheric oscillations, and their impacts on ecosystem dynamics. These changes can shift the phenologies of top predators, affecting their spatial distribution, feeding ecology, and life history events. Samantha is focusing on Atlantic bluefin tuna, an economically important predator migrating through the Strait of Gibraltar. It comprises five components: investigating local bluefin tuna feeding ecology using stable isotope and stomach content analyses; assessing the impacts of hydroclimatic variability; evaluating body condition based on landed fish; analysing overwintering behaviours with eDNA; and examining public perceptions over time.

Amy’s research focuses on conducting a comprehensive survey of Marine Habitat Forming Species (MHFS) in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). It includes characterising and mapping the distribution and extent of key species such as gorgonians, sea pens, and the orange cup coral, Astroides calycularis, across various habitats and substrates. Utilising non-destructive methods, the project aims to improve baseline data and enhance understanding of these species and their ecological roles. The application of advanced imaging techniques, to support high-quality data collection. The research also entails participation in workshops covering image collection techniques and ecological analysis.

Stephen’s research focuses on determining patterns of larval dispersal and connectivity, which are crucial for the survival of marine metapopulations, particularly those at risk of extinction. This study aims to inform the design of well-connected Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks to conserve marine biodiversity, as emphasized by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The critically endangered Mediterranean Ribbed Limpet, Patella ferruginea, serves as a model species for investigating how connectivity and metapopulation demographic data can be utilized to design innovative nearshore micro-MPA networks, including Artificial Marine Micro-Reserves (AMMRs).