Environmental Sciences Research Institute

Melanie Gomes

Melanie Gomes B.Sc. Hons M.Sc. MSB

Education

2010–2013: Currently studying for a PhD in the distribution and habitat preferences of demersal elasmobranchs in Northern Ireland

1998-1999: M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences (Second Class division one) from the University of Dublin, Trinity College.

1993-1997: B.Sc. Hons in Marine and Environmental Biology (Second Class division one) from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Previous experience

My experience in the marine field over the last 11 years has included work in the following sectors:

  • Non-Governmental Organisations - the Ulster Wildlife Trust/ WWF Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force (2007 - 2010) for marine policy campaigning, Blue Ventures Conservation Organisation (2003 – 2004) for teaching marine ecology and marine sublittoral survey techniques and the Devon Wildlife Trust (2000 - 2001) as a marine survey assistant;
  • Government statutory nature conservation agencies - Scottish Natural Heritage (2002 - 2003) as a marine Natura officer and English Nature (now Natural England) (2001 - 2002) as a marine conservation assistant;
  • Environmental consultancies - ERT Scotland (2005 - 2006) as an assistant marine consultant and The Environment Practice (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) (2005) for marine conservation review work;
  • The University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, (2003 – 2004) research experience investigating coral diseases.
  • The marine tourism sector - King Dive in Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia and Calypso Dive Port Douglas Queensland Eastern Australia in (2006 - 2007). Role was to lead dives and in Ningaloo was to check that the sharks were whale sharks Rhincodon typus and not tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier before the tourists were thrown in! (highly recommended as a job!)

I have also carried out much voluntary work for example for the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and for marine charities.

I currently sit on the marine group of the Council of Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC) statutory advisor to the Northern Ireland Government on nature conservation issues.

My research interests revolve around the conservation of marine species and habitats and their recovery from anthropogenic impacts.

Membership of Professional Organisations

  • Society of Biology, UK, Member.
  • Fisheries Society of the British Isles, Associate member.
  • Member of the Shark Trust, UK.
  • Member of Marine Conservation Society (MCS), UK.