Assistant Professor of Environmental Biology

Email:

Phone: 024 765 74017

Office:

SLS Clusters

Environment & Ecology

Pedagogical Research

Warwick Centres and GRPs

Warwick Environmental Systems Interdisiplinary Centre

Teaching Interests

I am an interdisciplinary environmental educator and researcher with experience spanning Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, and Engineering. My research and teaching interests revolve around addressing complex environmental challenges, including but not limited to climate change, nature-based solutions, human-ecosystem interactions, and the intricate dynamics of freshwater ecosystems, encompassing both tropical and temperate peatlands.

More recently my research has expanded to also consider the nature and impact of anthropogenic pollutants in freshwater environments including plastic and natural textile fibres. This also includes the use of Citizen Science by incorporating community focused solutions to address water challenges; translating the physical understanding of water quality into a socio-relevant context to deliver informed action.

My expertise lies in the study of biogeochemical cycling and the critical role of freshwater ecosystems in the global carbon cycle. I am particularly interested in investigating the interplay between aquatic carbon (dissolved organic matter, DOM), nutrients, and greenhouse gas emissions from inland waters, as well as the concentration, reactivity, and composition of DOM in response to anthropogenic-driven factors such as land-use change. To date, my research has taken me to diverse environments, including oil palm plantations in Borneo, urban drainage channels in Mumbai, and freshwater/marine ecosystems in Cambodia and Malaysia.

Through my research interests, I aim to advance our understanding of the complex interplay between biogeochemical cycling and environmental change, ultimately informing more effective strategies and policies for climate change mitigation, ecosystem conservation, and environmental management.

Research Interests and Other Activities

As part of my broader research interests, I have actively engaged in various outreach and community initiatives. In June 2020, I co-organized the "India – UK Citizen Science and Water Challenges" webinar series, a collaborative effort between the University of Warwick, Thames 21, ALP Synergy Ltd, and EARTH 5R. This series consisted of six informative and engaging webinars focused on water quality in India's rivers, catering to researchers and activists working towards positive change in this critical area. The initiative was made possible through funding from the University of Warwick GCRF Development Fund.

I was also involved in curating an educational exhibition titled "Into the Swamp." This six-day event, held at Newark Houses in Leicester from April 2nd to 7^th 2019, aimed to educate and engage the general public on tropical peatland ecology and the conservation challenges they face. The exhibition was funded by the British Ecological Society Outreach Grant.

I am also a member of the International Peatland Society and scientific advisor for the Climate Change Expert Group.