Gill Notman

Biography

Gill is an experienced aquatic ecologist with a background in applied and environmental chemistry. Her BSc honours project examined the effects of heavy metal pollution on freshwater snails and her masters research (based on Esthwaite Water in the Lake District) looked at the fluctuating concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous in the surface waters of a thermally stratified lake Upon graduation with an MSc from Napier University, Gill worked for an aquatic environmental consultancy in Manchester carrying out impact assessments and routine monitoring of both coastal and inland waters, followed by two years working as a research assistant at the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Gill’s PhD research was based mainly at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, but she spent around three months a year in Plymouth at the Marine Biological Association (MBA).  Her work examined the effects of biodiversity on food choice in grazing gastropods (limpets, periwinkles and top shells) in the two regions using a wide range of ecological and chemical techniques. In 2011 Gill joined the University of Cumbria as a Lecturer in Applied Chemistry, teaching on the Forensic Science, Forestry and Conservation programmes.  In 2015 she designed and validated a new honours degree in Marine and Freshwater Conservation and now the majority of her time is spent developing and delivering this exciting programme from the heart of Cumbria’s beautiful Lake District National Park.

Research Interest

Marine and freshwater ecology and conservation Biology and ecology of aquatic molluscs Pollution biology and environmental chemistry Ecological applications of stable isotope chemistry Trophic ecology, resource use and ecosystem services