Russ Connelly

Russ Connelly

Welcome to my site, I'm a PhD Candidate at the University of Essex
Scroll down for some fieldwork photos!

About me

I'm a Marine Biologist currently completing my PhD on the detection of native UK seahorse species using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and environmental DNA (eDNA). 

I have a passion for marine life and conservation, and the application of using marine technologies to enhance our understanding of the underwater world.

PADI Divemaster: 
Leading many scientific dives and teaching SCUBA diving survey skills 

Recognised for Excellence: 
Awarded the The University of Essex's Environmental and Conservation Prize, alongside 5 other academic awards so far.

Fieldwork experience: Beneath and above the waves, I have been leading or a part of fieldwork that includes tropical marine systems, cold water diving, salt marsh and estruarine habitats, and freshwater sampling!

Knowledge

  • Fieldwork planning and logistics, Scientific diving techniques
  • Programming languages include R, and Python
  • eDNA and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) analysis
  • Photogrammetry and Drone operation
  • GIS, Fisheries managment, and Stakeholder engagement
  • Fishes of the Southern Ocean

Interests

  • Marine Technologies
  • Machine Learning and AI
  • SCUBA diving
  • Citizen science and stakeholder engagement
  • Sustainability

Fieldwork Photos!

BS112 Practical assisting

On Wednesday, I have the opportunity to assist in the University of Essex's BS112 Marine Ecology boat practical. I remember back when I was an undergraduate at Essex, this was the first practical, and it really solidified that Marine Biology was for me, a...
Oct 08, 2024
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Norfolk Sampling!

I have had the pleasure of joining Jess Rhode's PhD project on the chalk reefs in North Norfolk. We have quite a good overlap with our projects within the eDNA space. Check out Jess' page for more updates on this!
Oct 08, 2024
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Seahorses found!

Summer fieldwork was a success! This summer, we headed down to Studland Bay, Dorset with the intention to trial my techniques for the project. In total, we found 8 H. guttulatus, with a couple of the males being very much pregnant! I managed to secure hun...
Oct 08, 2024
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