Our Postgraduate Researchers

Paul Whitworth, PhD

Supervisors: Prof. Tony Clare and Dr Nick Aldred

Project title: Ultraviolet-C as a Marine Biofouling Control.

The introduction of a surface into the marine environment begins a process known as biofouling, which increases the weight and hydrodynamic drag of the fouled structure. This process is detrimental to maritime vessels and costs the industry ~$150B in fuel and maintenance spending annually. Preventing the settlement of fouling organisms mitigates these issues and limits the spread of non-indigenous species. This is primarily achieved via antifouling paints which often use environmentally harming biocides. Ultraviolet light is a sterilization method used in water purification, food storage packaging, and within medical fields. Ultraviolet C (UV-C) radiation interacts with DNA to prevent growth, proliferation, and survival of bacteria, and biofilm formation. The current project investigated the potential for integrating UVC as a marine biofouling control and explored the impacts in both laboratory and field environments.

Sarah Alsaif, PhD

Supervisors: Prof. Grant Burgess and Dr Gary Caldwell

Project title: Enhancing the antibacterial efficacy of marine algae-mediated nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria.

Macroalgae are considered promising sources of new antibacterial factors. With algal cells being used to rapidly derive green-synthesized nanoparticles. According to the fact that more than 1000 bioactive components of marine origin, including algal secondary metabolites, have been defined as potentially effective as antibacterial. Paralleling (and arguably outpacing) developments in drug discovery, the field of nanotechnology is emerging across multi-disciplinary sectors, playing substantial roles in the agricultural, environmental and pharmaceutical fields. Thus, scientists are interested in the eco-friendly biosynthesis of nanoparticles using available natural sources.