Olivia Stockdale

I’m an enthusiastic and passionate Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology graduate from the University of Plymouth, where I recently achieved a 2:1 in my BSc (Hons) programme. I have a variety of experience with scientific research including field, laboratory, and boat work. I am familiar with various equipment, sampling techniques and competent with data handling and statistical analysis. I also have experience in marine animal husbandry and aquaria.

National Marine Aquarium, UK – Animal Husbandry Team (Aug 2022-current)

Worked part-time in a team of biologists to ensure the welfare of all animals and systems within the NMA.

• Responsible for animal care, including cleaning, feeding, and enrichment activities. Observed animal behaviours and resolved any issues to ensure well-being. Provided specialised care for delicate organisms, including live corals and seagrass.
• Expertise in setting up, maintaining, and operating experimental/commercial aquarium systems, including life support monitoring and water quality testing.
• Assisted with complex tasks such as animal movements, health checks, postmortems, water chemistry analysis (using powder pillow and Salifert tests) and archiving results. 
• Trained in coral propagation to grow tropical and temperate corals for aquarium trade. This included daily visual health checks, consistent testing (water for alkalinity, phosphates, and calcium, alongside temperature, salinity, and UV levels), refugium maintenance and broadcast feeding.
• Maintained rotifer, artemia and microalgae cultures within a hatchery setting, following strict laboratory protocols, and sterilising processes.

Supported research projects (PhD/MRes/MSc) at the Coastal Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (CMERC) alongside government/charity conservation schemes.

• Aided initiation of experiments, including setting up and maintaining aquarium systems with regard to experimental/project design. Focused on seagrass physiology, seaweed mariculture and microplastic movement and loading research. This included lab, boat, and field work, in coastal and estuarine environments. Also assisted with planning field work and maintaining equipment.
• Facilitated seagrass research and restoration. This included seed collection, sterilisation, storage, and viability testing. Restoration included mapping (using field equipment both on shore and vessels), species identification, sediment analysis and the use of ArcGIS for further analysis of spatial distribution.
• Established a new seagrass nursery in Airlie Beach, improved the Konomie Island nursery and passed on system/mesocosm maintenance skills to others.
• Trained in the use of specialist laboratory equipment, processes and procedures.
• Joined communication team of CMERC, organising community activities/events via social media/photography/videography to promote conservation and engagement in multiple regions, working effectively in a culturally and professionally diverse team to achieve common goals.

Marine Biology with Coastal Ecology BSc (Hons) – Plymouth University (Sept 2020-June 2024)

• Second Class Honours (Upper Division) (2:1) awarded.
• Certificate of Professional Industrial Experience gained through a self-organised placement year in industry.
• Completed honours project titled “Rooting for Resilience: Investigating the Success of Seagrass Restoration Methods”. Achieved First Class grade and publication in the Plymouth Student Scientist e-journal (Dec 2024).