Vance Mak, postgraduate researcher, CDT SuMMeR: Cohort 2

I was a undergraduate (BSc Marine Biology) and a taught masters (MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation) student at the University of Exeter, and am now a PhD student at the same institute. Outside of academics, in Cornwall, I have worked with various local conservation organisations including the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Falmouth Marine Conservation, and Natural England, while in Hong Kong, I have worked on several conservation projects with Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden.

My previous research experience encompassed two very different areas of ecological research. The first used social science techniques to examine human-wildlife conflict and cohabitation between humans and urban nesting gulls. The second examined long-term and wide-spread fishery datasets using Bayesian modelling techniques. My research interests concern animal movement, especially how powerful tools such as biologgers reveal information on features that drive the patterns and distribution of animals, and their role in enhancing human understanding of cryptic animals and inaccessible environments. The breadth of experience and interest will be complementary to this PhD project, given the interdisciplinary nature required to succeed.

My research will aim to characterise the year-round habitat use of black-legged kittiwakes across the North Atlantic to identify suitable areas for offshore wind farms and artificial nesting structures that offer options for net biodiversity gain for seabirds in the face of future climate change. Rapid expansion of offshore wind energy developments is necessary to tackle the climate crisis and to meet net zero targets. However, wind turbines may also have a negative impact on biodiversity, including species that are already struggling, such as seabirds. One favoured compensation option for balancing increased adult mortality is enhancing juvenile recruitment through the construction of artificial nesting structures.

As part of a multidisciplinary project, I will work with existing kittiwake tracking datasets to characterise nesting and foraging habitat, and use projection modelling to link current and future seabird nesting and foraging with the placement of offshore wind farms and artificial nesting structures. Emphasis in this research is placed on animal movement data, ecological niche modelling, ocean and climate projection modelling, impact assessment analysis, and marine spatial planning approaches. Ultimately my project will improve methods used to understand the ecological consequences of offshore wind and mitigate impact.

To have the opportunity and privilege to be a cohort member of the CDT SuMMeR will kickstart my aspirations for a long career in research. CDT SuMMeR will provide me with the necessary skill set to succeed not only academically, but professionally. Being part of the CDT SuMMeR will allow me to meet fellow colleagues who are equally motivated to pursue academic excellence. Furthermore, being part of a group of environmental scientists pursuing interdisciplinary research will be sure to inspire novel ideas and push the boundaries of the current field of marine biology.