Mr Harvey Cairns

Qualifications

2022-Present: PhD Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth. Numerical modelling in support of regional marine science, under the supervision of Prof. Daniel Conley, Dr. Phil Hosegood and Dr. Christopher Stokes.

2021-2023: ResM Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth. Thesis titled ' Nutrient Input in the Chagos Archipelago - the Controlling Mechanisms of Chlorophyll-a Distribution' under the supervision of Dr. Phil Hosegood, using a combination of in-situ and remote sensing data to assess the sources and controlling mechanisms of nutrient input in the Chagos Archipelago.

2018-2021: BSc Ocean Science and Marine Conservation, University of Plymouth

Research interests

My current research involves taking a numerical modelling approach to investigating the physical oceanographic processes that underpin conservation efforts in the Indian Ocean. At present, I am focusing on Hanifaru Bay - an MPA within the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. This is an area of interest due to it being the location for large aggregations of manta, with numbers reaching 200+ at a single time.

I have previously focused on nutrient sources and drivers of primary production in BIOT - using remote sensing products, model output and in-situ data to assess the physical drivers of elevated productivity, with a view to understanding how the region may respond to climate change in the future.