Emily Williams - Laboratory Scientist

My name is Emily Williams and I started at APEM in April as a Laboratory Scientist. I graduated from Aberystwyth University with a MSc in Managing the Environment. As part of my postgraduate I was based within a research station in Abisko Lapland, studying arctic ecology and collecting/analysing freshwater data to assess the effects of non-native fish species on the native Arctic Char within freshwater lakes. Little did I know at the time that these were the initial, tentative steps into a career in freshwater ecology, a slight deviation from my original aspirations to work with critters considerably more cute and fluffy than bugs and fish but which I thoroughly enjoy. Before joining APEM as a macroinvertebrate taxonomist I worked for a consultancy based within the North West of England. Here I specialised in freshwater sampling and analysis and managed a number of biological monitoring programmes assessing the impact of commercial/industrial etc. discharges on water quality. This was built upon previous experience obtained whilst working for the Environment Agency in South West England and Wales.

Andrew Brash - Business Development Manager

My name is Andrew Brash and I started at APEM in March as the newly appointed Business Development Manager based at our Chester Office.

After leaving college in Liverpool I embarked on a long and varied career in ‘Land and Property’, which spanned over twenty years. Initially I worked in the Estate Agency profession as a Sales Manager and managed sales offices at various locations throughout the North West and North Wales including Liverpool, Chester, Mold and Wrexham. I then made the transition over to the ‘New House Build’ sector of the Construction Industry and worked as a Part Exchange Manager for David McLean Homes on Deeside and covering the whole of the UK. After several years I moved into the ‘Land Acquisition’ discipline and became what is known as a Land Manager. This role saw me identifying and acquiring sites for housing development, and during the many years in this post I worked for companies such as Redrow, David Wilson Homes, Gleeson and Linden.

Michal Kurchaski - Survey Pilot

My name is Michal Kurchaski and I joined APEM in November as a Survey Pilot. I will be based out of the Chester office.

Before joining APEM my previous roles involved working as cabin crew based in Liverpool, Reus (near Barcelona) and for a short time also at Manchester Airport.

During my time based at Liverpool Airport I completed my Professional Pilot Training with JD Aviation while still working as a cabin crew. Since then I have been flying out of Liverpool in a single engine light aircraft to keep myself current.

My interests include General Aviation aircraft, playing football, swimming, running and during winter time I also enjoy snowboarding.

 

Matthew Goodall - Aquatic Field Scientist

My name is Matthew Goodall and I started at APEM in November as an Aquatic Field Scientist based at the Stockport office. I came to APEM because I wanted to work for a larger company with more opportunities so that I could progress my career, it’s been fantastic so far and I’ve really enjoyed being involved in so many different projects.

Previously I worked as an Ecologist for Strath Caulaidh Ltd, an ecological consultancy based in Perth, Scotland. I was involved in estimating abundance and impact of Deer all over the Scottish Highlands and throughout many of the forests there too. I also worked on restoring blanket bog habitat on wind farm sites.

Sarah Butler - Aerial Graduate Scientist

My name is Sarah Butler and I joined APEM in November as an Aerial Graduate Scientist based at the Chester office.

I graduated from the University of Salford this summer with a BSc (Hons) in Geography.  During this time I developed a keen interest for the use of Remote Sensing and GIS and based my undergraduate dissertation on the planning of wind farms on the Solway Firth in Cumbria. 

Emily Barlow - Remote Sensing Scientist

I’m Emily and I joined APEM in November as an Ornithologist within the Remote Sensing team based at the Edinburgh office.

I graduated from Newcastle University in 2006 with a BSc in Zoology and have recently completed a PhD in seabird ecology based between the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh and Aberdeen University. My PhD research aimed to quantify dispersal from a marked population of long-lived seabirds on the Isle of May, Firth of Forth, to other breeding colonies around the North Sea, using a combination of ecological and molecular techniques. During my PhD I also spent time volunteering with the Forth Seabird Group, Scottish Seabird Centre and RSPB gaining further experience in seabird survey and conservation work.

Amy Stiven - Administration Manager 

My name is Amy Stiven and I have recently joined APEM as the newly appointed Administration Manager based at the Stockport office.

I graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2003 with a BSc in Applied Biology and since graduating I have done various  jobs within the construction industry I’m looking forward to using the knowledge and skills I’ve gathered previously and I’m keen to gain new experiences at APEM.

Rachel Whatmore - Field Scientist

My name is Rachel Whatmore and I joined APEM in October as a Field Scientist, based at the Oxford office. I have recently completed a Masters degree in Environmental Diagnostics and Management from Cranfield University, where I undertook a four month placement with AWE looking at the fate of radionuclides in Signal crayfish. I also found myself specialising in freshwater ecology and ecotoxicology during my B.Sc Geography degree at Durham University, where I investigated the effects of Acid Mine Drainage on the macroinvetebrate communities of the Kilmastulla catchment in Ireland.

The volunteer work and placements I have been fortunate to undertake over the past few years, such as with the BioBank, Merseyside and Environmental Research Institute in Cork, have really cemented my passion for both monitoring and protecting riverine environments.

I was very excited to start work at APEM, as it is such a progressive and science driven company. I am looking forward to working on many varied and stimulating projects, as well as developing new field skills over the next coming months.

In my spare time I enjoy horse riding and walking. I am also a keen musician and play the harp at the odd function.

Natalie Tulett - Lab Scientist

My name is Natalie Tulett and I started working for APEM this November. I am based in the Dorset office working as a Marine Laboratory Scientist. I am currently sorting marine and estuarine samples, extracting fauna for identification with the hope to enhance my taxonomy skills and further my knowledge of this niche market sector.  

When I came for my interview in Dorset earlier in the year I was impressed with the range of aquatic data acquisition services that the company offers clients and had experienced nothing but positive comments about APEM from other industry professionals.  

Emiliy Long - Field Scientist

I started my role as Field Scientist in early November and am based out of the Stockport office for at least the next 6 months. So far I am really enjoying my new role within APEM. 

I have recently completed a Masters degree in Aquatic Resource Management at Kings College London, so have only just moved north to Manchester and looking forward to getting to know my new surroundings. Before my masters I worked as a Team Scientist for an NGO operating of a yacht in the South Pacific doing coral reef baseline surveys and community development. My passion for reefs and tropical fish has been long lived throughout my CV, but I have found a love for Aquatic Science in the British Isles more recently. My masters dissertation was undertaken on the plight of the European eel (a magnificent creature for those that haven’t had the joy of working with them).  My undergraduate degree was completed at the University of Edinburgh in Environmental Geoscience, giving a slight love for rocks to add to my eclectic range of interests.  

Lindsey Defew - Aquatuc Scientist

I'm Lindsey and I recently started my role as Aquatic Scientist in the Edinburgh office. I started my aquatic career with a BSc in Aquatic Biology from the University of Hull before moving to Edinburgh to do my MSc in Marine Resource Management and Protection. I subsequently went on to work for the Centre for Ecology and Hydology as an environmental research scientist before completing my PhD in diffuse pollution and freshwater ecology with the freshwater research group. I was only supposed to be there 3 months and ended up staying 5 years!

I then worked as a macrophyte ecologist on Scottish Natural Heritage's Site Condition Monitoring programme in the summers of 2009 and 2010, surveying macrophyte communities in so many Scottish Loch's I lost count! And in between I went galavanting around the world getting a suntan! Now I am back in sunny (cough!) Edinburgh and ready to get stuck into some new and exciting projects with APEM.

In my free time, I will mostly be found in my posh gym and swimming pool (aka the hydro pool and sauna!) or riding my sister's horses.  

Chris Evans - Field Scientist 

My name is Christopher Evans and I have recently joined APEM as a Field Scientist based in the Stockport office.

I graduated from the University of Southampton in 2008 with a BSc in Oceanography with Physical Geography followed by an MSc in Environmental Studies. During my time at university I worked on a range of interesting projects largely focused on the applications of remote sensing and GIS to environmental problems. For my undergraduate dissertation I worked on methods for detecting oil spills in the marine environment using satellite data.  During my MSc Thesis I helped develop a model to predict the effects of sea level rise on coastal ecosystems in East Anglia.

Inga Kristiansen - Laboratory Scientist 

My name is Inga Kristiansen. I started working at APEM about 6 weeks ago as a laboratory scientist. My work mainly involves examining phytoplankton samples in the laboratory in Stockport.

I have a BSc in Environmental Bioscience from Salford University and a MSc in Aquatic Resource Management from King’s College London. After my masters degree I moved back to my native country, the Faroe Islands, to work as a researcher at an aquaculture research station. I was involved with various projects including investigating the possibility of semi-intensive plankton production for rearing fish fry, looking into the dispersion of salmon louse around fish farms and biofouling on net cages. Although I enjoyed being back home, I am very happy to be back in England and feel very fortunate to have found a position within my academic interest!

Amy Anderson - Aquatic Scientist

Hi, my name is Amy Anderson. I started at the Edinburgh APEM office in September as a Junior Aquatic Consultant.

In 2010 I completed my degree in Environmental Geoscience at the University of Edinburgh. It was a very fun and varied course, particularly the fieldwork component which took me everywhere from the drizzly Scottish Isles looking for dinosaur prints to sun-soaked Jamaica to study coral reef ecology.

Gary Ankers - IT Support Officer

My name is Gary Ankers and I am the newly appointed IT Support Officer for APEM based out of the Stockport office. I have been supporting IT systems and networks for over 13 years. I started off with Royal Mail travelling the country as a team leader in the projects team then went into Warrington Borough Council and have also spent a fair few years as an IT Manager at a couple of schools in Warrington.

Samantha Taylor - Receptionist / Administrator

My Name is Samantha Taylor and I have joined APEM this November as the new Receptionist / Administrator for the Dorset Office.

I’ve recently graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA (Hons) in Business and Management. This course covered many aspects of a business from Marketing to creating a small business plan. I particularly enjoyed studying Human Resources and Accounting and hopefully will continue to develop skills in these areas. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the work at APEM and using the skills I have gained whilst at university and during part time work.

Sally Donaldson - Senior Laboratory Scientist

My Name is Sally Donaldson and I recently started as a Senior Laboratory Scientist in the Edinburgh office. I will be working in the lab mainly analysing invertebrate samples.

My first degree was in General Agriculture and then I saw the light and studied for an MSc in the Biology of Water Management, with my thesis looking at the efficiency of slow sand filtration as a drinking water treatment method. Strangely I have come full circle as I worked as a summer student at one of the (now closed) institutes at the Bush Estate where the APEM Edinburgh office is now located!

Gary Schofield - Aerial Graduate Scientist

My name is Gary Schofield, I am a new addition to APEM's Remote Sensing Team and have taken on the role of Aerial Graduate Scientist. I have been working at the Stockport office since mid-September this year.

Whilst studying an M.Sc in Environmental Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing at the University of Salford, APEM was mentioned to me by one of my lecturers who has links with a number of APEM's existing employees. I feel very lucky that a position came up within the company, just as I was in the process of completing my Masters, and hope that I will become a useful addition.

Helen Atkin - Aquatic Scientist

I am Helen Atkin (the 100^thAPEM Employee!) and I started as an Aquatic Scientist with APEM in October and will be based in the Edinburgh office. My watery career started at Stirling University where I studied Marine Biology and Aquaculture, followed by an M.Sc at Heriot Watt University in Marine Resource Development and Protection. Since then I have worked for the Scottish Coastal Forum, the RSPB as an Aquatic Ecologist and at Stirling University as an Aquatic Consultant, where I was involved in the environmental regulation of aquaculture.

Victoria Levett - Senior Aquatic Scientist

My name is Vicky Levett and I have joined APEM in October as a Senior Aquatic Scientist in the Oxford office.

I had been looking for a fresh challenge and after stalking the APEM website for almost a year the perfect job opportunity came up! What impressed me most of all about APEM was their strong reputation and scientific approach to consultancy. I am very much looking forward to getting stuck into some wetland and river restoration work!

Adele Jones - Receptionist/Administrator

Hi my name is Adele Jones and I have just started as a Receptionist / Administrator at the Stockport Office.

I recently graduated from The University of Nottingham with a BSc (Hons) in Biology. Throughout my degree I was able to take part in Lab work as well as field studies which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also had the opportunity to work alongside a Senior Researcher during my final year dissertation.

Polly Boyce - Graduate Scientist

My name is Polly Boyce and I began working for APEM as a Graduate Scientist in the Edinburgh Office this Summer.

I recently graduated from the Scottish Agricultural College (The University of Edinburgh) with a BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Environmental Management. During my time at University I found the ecology and habitat management related modules of particular interest and decided I would like a career in this field. I was delighted to discover APEM and the opportunity the company gives to concentrate on aquatic ecology, an area which has always intrigued me and have wanted to learn more about.

Todd Sajwaj - Remote Sensing Scientist

My name is Todd and I have just begun my new role of Remote Sensing Scientist with APEM’s research and development group in Oxford.

I earned my BSc from the University of Minnesota in Ecology and an MSc in Ecology from the University of North Dakota. During this time, I spent three years managing projects to assess the population demographics, movement patterns and habitat utilisation of several species of turtles in central Minnesota for the U.S Army National Guard. Discovering that society’s need for turtle ecologists was very marginal, I pursued a second MSc at Utah State University in Geography, particularly the ecological applications of remote sensing, statistics and plant ecology. Following my education, I spent several years employed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Geological Survey mapping plant communities across broad regions of the western US (notably Nevada) via satellite imagery and considerable amounts of ground truth data. While these positions gave me the opportunity to learn a great deal about the vegetation ecology of the western deserts and mountains, working alone in these large unpopulated regions provided too many opportunities to converse with the various shrubs and trees.

Bethany Goddard - Aerial Graduate Scientist

Hello, my name is Bethany and I have joined APEM as a Graduate Remote Sensing Scientist based in the Stockport office.

I have been interested in the natural world from a very young age, this has been reflected in my studies and personal hobbies.  In 2009 I studied for my M.Sc in Conservation Biology.  During my masters year I researched the productivity and monitoring of seabirds at Puffin Island, Anglesey, through this I gained a passion for ornithology and marine environmental science.  I was fortunate to be involved in ringing waders and seabirds with SCAN Ringing Group in North Wales during my research where I gained experience handling and being able to get up close to birds.  I also studied Zoology as an undergraduate at the University of Liverpool where I researched the effects of inbreeding in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana.  After graduating I volunteered for the Corporation of London, working in the City Gardens Section conducting wildlife surveys in the city gardens to create a database for the biodiversity found in the city.

Stephanie McGovern - Remote Sensing Scientist

My name is Stephanie McGovern and I have joined APEM as a Remote Sensing Consultant, based at the Chester office.

I have recently graduated from Bangor University with a PhD in Soil and Environmental Sciences.  My research focussed on the long term impacts of environmental change on the soils and vegetation of Snowdonia.  This involved many hours walking in Snowdonia collecting samples and surveying vegetation, as well as analysing large datasets of historical environmental data.  Before this I studied for an MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College, London and a BSc in Animal Behaviour from Liverpool University. 

Iain Russon - Fisheries Scientist

Hello, I’m Iain Russon and I started working for APEM in August 2011 as a Fisheries Scientist, based at the new Cardiff office.

I have had an interest in science and the aquatic environment for as long as I can remember which is highlighted through my studies. In 2001 I attained a B.Sc. (Hons) in Marine and Freshwater Biology from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and in 2002 an M.Sc. in Applied Marine Science from Plymouth University. In July this year I received my PhD from Southampton University where my research focussed on the response of fish (with a focus on eel and lamprey) to barriers to movement. This mainly involved laboratory work with experiments being undertaken in large open channel flumes, within which various obstacles such as fish screens, and crump, flat-v and orifice weirs could be placed to determine the fish response to them. Between completing my M.Sc. and starting my PhD I worked as a Junior Researcher at the Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands, where I undertook research concerning the stress response of fish to crustacean ecto-parasites.

Andrew Cooper - Camera Technician

My name is Andy Cooper and I have just started work as a Camera Technician based at APEM’s Remote Sensing Office based at Chester Airport.

I graduated from Swansea University studying Geography with Topographical Sciences before joining Leica Geosystems in 2008 as a Technical Engineer for two and a half years. In this role I supported surveyors using total stations and GPS surveying equipment all over the UK and Ireland. 

Rosalind Jukes - Graduate Scientist

My name is Roz Jukes and I have joined APEM as a Graduate Scientist on the field team in the Stockport office.

My degree is in Ecology and Conservation Management which I gained at the University of Central Lancashire. After university I became a Field Research Assistant for the University of Leeds working on a project that was comparing the effect organic and conventional farming techniques had on biodiversity at different spatial scales. For this I was carrying out a wide range of field work surveys on birds, insects and plants. 

Simon Warford - Ornithologist

My name is Simon Warford and I started with APEM as an Ornithologist within the Remote Sensing team at the end of June 2011. I will be based at the Stockport office. Although this is my first position in Ornithology, I have many years experience of studying British birds. I have undertaken various bird survey work and also carried out various voluntary breeding bird surveys and wetland bird surveys over the past 10 years or so.

Robert Moores - Graduate Scientist

I’m Rob Moores and I’ve recently joined APEM as a Graduate Scientist. My first few weeks have been a busy few weeks, but I’m starting to get my head round it all now. I’m really enjoying all aspects of the job and I feel like I’m learning a lot.

I graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSc in Ocean Science. The degree covered a great mix of subjects and gave me good background knowledge of the marine sciences. I wrote my dissertation on tidal power and I still find marine renewables a fascinating subject - it is something I am looking to get involved in further as my career progresses. 

Tom Harding - Camera Technician

My name is Tom Harding and I began work at APEM at the start of July 2011. I have been employed as a Camera Technician for the Remote Sensing side of the business and will be based at the APEM Office based at Chester Airport. 

I’m a BSc graduate in GIS & Remote Sensing from Bath Spa University, where I studied a wide range of GIS associated topics but generally specialised in aircraft based remote sensing. My dissertation involved looking at new accurate methods for establishing the internal parameters of aerial survey cameras and a poster adaption of my work was presented at the RSPSoc Student Conference in 2008. 

Sarah Temple-Graduate Scientist

My name is Sarah Temple and I have just started working at APEM (July 2011) in the Graduate Scientist post, based in the Stockport office. 

I completed my degree in Marine Biology with Oceanography at the University of Southampton in 2009. I then chose to stay in Southampton for another year and do a Master of Research in Ocean Science degree, which I completed in October 2010. I really enjoyed my time in Southampton and chose to research the effects of Portland harbour mussel farm on the benthic infauna below and the impact of Boscombe artificial surf reef for my undergraduate and masters dissertations. I learnt a lot from these projects and spent many hours collecting and analysing samples, which I thoroughly enjoyed! 

Kirsty Bauros - Marine Invertebrate Taxonomist

My name is Kirsty Bauros and I started my new role with APEM as a Marine Invertebrate Taxonomist on the 27^th June, I am based in the Edinburgh office. 

Previously, I worked with SEPA within their Marine Science function as an Assistant and a Marine Ecologist over a period of 14 years. My role involved carrying out marine biological surveys from shores and survey vessels. These surveys included the collection of fish, benthos, macroalgae, phytoplankton and intertidal mollusc samples. I also carried out the analysis of various samples: intertidal mollusc (Imposex/TBT), fish (identification and population studies), benthos (identification and enumeration/biomass) and macroalage (identification). I collated, interpreted and reported marine biological data using a variety of software tools. 

Victoria Allen - Senior Fisheries Scientist

My name is Victoria and I started my new role with APEM as a Senior Fisheries Scientist within the marine team at the beginning of June 2011.  I am currently based in the Oxford office, with the aim of moving to the new Cardiff office when it opens later in the summer.  

In 2005 I completed my undergraduate degree in Marine and Environmental Biology at St Andrews University.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and a highlight was working with the team at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) whilst writing my dissertation on metabolic rates in grey seals.  After graduating I moved to London to undertake a masters degree in Aquatic Resource Management at Kings College.  It was during this time I started to develop an interest in fisheries and I was fortunate enough to be given a position at Fisheries Research Services (now Marine Scotland) in Aberdeen to carry out my thesis on the ‘catchability’ of anglerfish in a survey trawl. 

Les Ruse - Associate Aquatic Ecologist

I’m Les Ruse and have just started at APEM Limited. In my role as Associate Aquatic Ecologist I will be based at home in Reading and expect to use the laboratory in the Dorset Office. 

I’m a born and bred Arsenal fan and when we played at Old Trafford last season I came to see Keith Hendry and David Bradley to discuss my involvement with APEM. Born within the sound of Bow bells, I have always appreciated escaping the ‘smoke’ and walking the hills. The day after the APEM meeting I drove to Snake’s Pass and walked to Kinder Scout summit in dense cloud. In fact I’ve combined the same interests since I was a teenager, going to Arsenal away games then collecting insects from Pennine streams before returning to London. I also began scuba diving at 19. I’ve dived around the world but still think British diving is among the best, especially in Scotland.