Adam Wright – BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences graduate
Aspiring to make the natural environment a better place by protecting and conserving endangered species
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Course studied: BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
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@Current job title: Assistant Ecologist
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@Current employer: Three Shires Ltd.
I would highly recommend taking a course at the University of Plymouth, I was taught a large variety of fields of biology in great detail. I received useful information and help from the faculty, and my peers were very helpful.
Helping tackle big issues
Biology is arguably the most important degree to tackle the climate issue.
There are so many fields that are vital to securing our future. Ecology is important when studying key factors in biodiversity loss. Ecology mixed with conservation helps protect vulnerable species from human impact.
Adam holding a Robin for a wildlife survey
Facilities at Plymouth
The lab facilities were very good and provided me with the opportunity to do a multitude of experiments in the labs. Almost all fields of biology taught at the University of Plymouth uses lab facilities as part of the curricula. I myself used the lab for my dissertation and was given plenty of resources to aid me during my final year.
Adam working in one of our labs
My placement year
I believe my placement year was the most pivotal part of my degree, I wouldn’t be where I am if I did not undergo a placement. I took my placement year with the University of Glasgow at one of their field stations, the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, near Loch Lomond. I was a research assistant aiding master and PhD students with their projects based around fish acoustic telemetry studies. It was during this time I developed a passion to study and conserve marine life. I then dedicated my final year to gaining as much aquatic/marine experience as I could.
Field trips
There were three field trips that I was a part of during my undergraduate studies. Visits to the Eden Project and Slapton Sands provided me with the knowledge and experience of studying the natural world and efforts we can take to conserve areas of ecological significance. I also underwent a field trip to the Azores, Portugal where again we learnt about the variety of differences between island ecology and details about the islands that have caused nature to grow in a particular way. I learnt a lot about how to work with local communities for the betterment of science.
Adam surveying fish at Loch Lomond
Adam performing turtle surveys in Egypt
Azores Lagoon, Portugal
The atmosphere of studying at Plymouth opened my eyes to the sea, and my biology degree provided me with professional credentials that allowed me to develop my skills as a marine biologist.
From Plymouth I gained a mind for conservation, and I aspire to make the natural environment a better place by protecting and conserving endangered species from anthropogenic effects.
My career path
After I graduated, I enrolled on an MSc Conservation and Biodiversity course. After my masters I got an internship with the Red Sea Project, where I spent a month performing turtle and coral surveys in Egypt, performing outreach and learning how to dive. I thankfully got the opportunity in 2023 to join Three Shires Ltd. as an Assistant Ecologist, this position is giving me professional real-world experience that I can hopefully bring to conservation projects around the world.
Passionate about biology in all its forms?
Study a broad biology degree with equal emphasis on lab and field skills.
Build an understanding of biology from microorganisms to mammals, and from woodland to hydrothermal vents, gaining state-of-the-art practical and transferable skills highly sought by employers, graduating ready to shape the future of fields like ecosystem management and biotechnology.
