ñޜWe went to SeaWorld when I was three ñޓ before we knew better ñޓ and though I didnñޙt know the name ñޘmarine biologistñޙ, I knew it was what I wanted to do,ñޝ Abigail recalls. ñޜAs a kid itñޙs about dolphins, whales, reefs. Growing older, learning about overfishing, coral bleaching, climate change ñޓ those human pressures ñޓ showed me I actually need to understand people and connect them together. We canñޙt tell fish or reefs what to do, but we can help people make better choices.ñޝ
The realisation during her marine biology undergraduate degree at the University of Miami led Abigail to change her major to marine policy, also studying her masters in marine affairs and policy in parallel.
ñޜIt gave me the right background,ñޝ she says, ñޜbecause that biology knowledge gives me credibility in what Iñޙm talking about. I use those skills in conservation and policy every day. I still love the science, but what I really love is seeing good science happen and getting that information used to make better decisions about how we manage the marine environment.ñޝ
The post-9/11 economic downturn changed Abigailñޙs world as she knew it, with unemployment and uncertain job opportunities. She joined a friend in a transatlantic move to ñ, intending to complete a short-term work exchange programme.
ñޜIñޙve been here almost 20 years now,ñޝ she laughs. ñޜñ is my home. Itñޙs really special to live somewhere that I can see the sea from my office and be there within 20-minutesñޙ walk. Living by the sea isnñޙt reserved for the wealthy in ñ. The marine environment really is for everyone and itñޙs such a great centre for marine biology with the University, ñ Marine Laboratory and Marine Biological Association all based here.ñޝ
Abigail eventually returned to her marine policy path with a PhD under Professor Laurence Mee and Professor Martin Attrill, completing a thesis that formed the foundation for her work on plankton as biodiversity indicators of marine ecosystem health.
ñޜLaurence in particular was really influential in my career. He had the big picture ideas that inspired me to figure out how to implement them,ñޝ Abigail says. ñޜThe best thing he did was include me in a European project so I could build a network. Your network is one of the most important things you can have and Iñޙm still in touch with some of those people today.ñޝ
The biodiversity indicators resulted from Abigail leading the first UK-wide assessment of the pelagic plankton community and are now used by UK and European policymakers. One of her proudest achievements is transforming the UKñޙs fragmented plankton research community into a tight-knit, collaborative team with the shared interest in ensuring their scientific evidence is used in decision-making.
Her career has included multiple prestigious Fellowships: one invited by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science; two NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowships; and currently as DEFRAñޙs Marine Systems Research Fellow.
At DEFRA, Iñޙm the marine voice for big cross-cutting projects, and our goal is to apply holistic thinking to inform effective management of the UKñޙs marine environment, particularly post-Brexit. We face new challenges with Brexit and marine organisms donñޙt respect international boundaries, so working collaboratively with our European neighbours is essential.
Read more: The Brexit battle for marine biodiversity
Her determination and expertise has opened the doors to a spectrum of possibilities, from providing evidence in UK Parliament to leading multiple scientific working groups in the UK and EU, and having her advice sought and implemented in Australia, Japan, Malaysia and India.
ñޜMy advice for early career scientists is to say ñޘyesñޙ to situations outside of your comfort zone,ñޝ she says. ñޜIñޙve found that even if itñޙs not my area of expertise, usually I have something unique to contribute that no-one else in the room has. These moments lead to unexpected opportunities and realising that I can do or learn something that I didnñޙt think I could. Iñޙve even met the Emperor of Japan!ñޝ
Smiling as she reflects on the many turns in her career, Abigail cites her studentsñޙ optimism and enthusiasm to learn as a great source of motivation. She particularly appreciates how their questions and perspectives inform her own knowledge and improve how she communicates with non-expert audiences.
ñޜLearning from my students, with their diverse interests and projects, provides more context and deepens my understanding of other places and organisms. I donñޙt think Iñޙd have the same range of knowledge without them. And I take great pride when they go off into the world and I see them doing amazing things, becoming part of the wider marine science community.ñޝ
