Dr Michael Collins

I am a marine ecophysiologist interested in how aquatic ectotherms function under natural and anthropogenic environmental change. In particular, I am interested in how organisms deal with the challenge of multiple interacting stressors and apply a multidisciplinary approach combining genomics, biochemistry and physiology to address this question. I am currently a Lecturer in Marine Biology where I teach across all stages of the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. I previously completed a PhD in Marine Sciences at the University of Plymouth investigating integrated response of marine invertebrates to climate-driven hypoxia.

Qualifications

2020. PhD in Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

2014. BSc(Hons) Marine Biology, University of Plymouth

Professional membership

2021. Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Teaching interests

LECTURER ON...

• Marine Molecular Biology (module leader)
• Ecophysiology of Marine Animals (module leader)
• Conservation Physiology

Research interests

I am a marine biologist interested in the ecophysiology of aquatic ectotherms. I aim to integrate responses at different levels of organisation, combining whole organism physiology with -omics approaches, in order to better understand how organisms deal with environmental change. I am particularly interested in how aquatic organisms deal with the challenge of multiple stressors resulting from climate change, such as the combination of rising temperature and hypoxia. 

Google Scholar profile

Current PhD students:

• Ahmed Abbas "The challenge of securing future food production for aquaculture species: maternal, developmental and adaptational responses to multistressors"

Other research

I have supervised a range of undergraduate and masters students. Examples of project supervision include the following topics:

• Physiological responses of intertidal organisms to multiple abiotic stressors
• Transcriptomic mechanisms of development
• Physiological and biochemical responses to pollutants (e.g. microplastics, metals)
• Behavioural responses to environmental change

Grants & contracts

2023. Pilot Project Grant (ECR). NERC Environmental Omics Facility, PI

2021. Pump Priming Research Grant, University of Plymouth. Co-PI

2017. Company of Biologists travel grant

2015. Primerdesign Gold sponsorship