Danielle Sloan

Multi-disciplinary connectivity investigation of Priority Marine Features in Scottish waters using bio-physical modelling and population genomics

PhD Aim:

• By combining particle tracking and hydrodynamic modelling with habitat suitability models and population genomics this project aims to investigate how Scottish flame shell (Limaria hians) beds are connected.

PhD Objectives:

• The mitochondrial genome of Limaria hians (flame shell) will be characterised and described for the first time.
• Broad-scale contemporary connectivity, gene flow and genetic diversity within and between flame shell beds will be investigated using haplotypes.
• A Lagrangian particle tracking model will be forced with output from the hydrodynamic Scottish Shelf Model to investigate the mechanisms behind population connectivity.
• Data from the genomic analyses will be used to validate the outcomes of the larval dispersal model.

Contact Details:

• Email: d.sloan.19@abdn.ac.uk
• Twitter: @_daniellesloan
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-sloan-174773133
• Institutional profile: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/d.sloan.19

Updates:

• June 2020: Award from the MASTS Coastal Forum Small Grant Scheme
• December 2020: Awarded a research grant from the Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland
• February 2021: Awarded the Heredity Fieldwork Grant from the Genetics Society
• March 2021: Awarded a travel grant from the Challenger Society for Marine Science
• July 2021: Presented a poster and flash presentation at the AMEMR (Advances in Marine Ecosystem Modelling Research) Symposium.