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Dina-Leigh Simons

@dinathebiologist.bsky.social
267 followers 149 following 35 posts

Marine biologist and science communicator 🌍👩🏽‍🔬 | PGR at University of Liverpool, UK | she/her #FirstGen | eDNA, climate change, intertidal, conservation marketing | www.dinathebiologist.com

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Well folks, it’s #PhDone for Dr Simons!! 👩🏽‍🎓 What a challenge in every sense of the word. It’s been the hardest and most rewarding four years of my entire life. Here’s to surviving! 🥂
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
My third #UKDNAWG conference, but my first repping the Environment Agency Chief Scientist Group DNA team! Lovely to see colleagues in 3D and hear about all the fantastic ongoing eDNA work. Also very much enjoying being back in my undergraduate home, Sheffield! 🧬 @ukdnawg.bsky.social
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Dr Dina in the house! 🧬 🌊 🦀 Massively proud to share I passed my PhD viva yesterday. I even got two thesis themed cakes thanks to my amazing colleagues. Although it felt like climbing Everest, I know the PhD is just the start. Onwards!
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
It’s me! 🧬 www.mba.ac.uk/pioneering-s...
mba.ac.uk
Pioneering study uses eDNA to reveal intertidal biodiversity across UK shores | Marine Biological Association
A groundbreaking study, part-funded by the Marine Biological Association (MBA), has demonstrated the power of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
A wonderful venue for the Collecting Stories launch 📖 Such a pleasure to be invited as part of the Q&A panel!
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Liverpool University Press @livunipress.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Yesterday, we celebrated the launch of Collecting Stories: The Cultural Collections of the University of Liverpool edited by Katy Hooper. This new book introduces 52 items from @liverpooluni.bsky.social’s collection, revealing its cultural heritage and research futures. bit.ly/LUPCollecting
Photograph of table with LUP logo tablecloth in black. On top are four stacks of the Collecting Stories book, and one propped up on a wire easel. Bookmarks and other promotional materials are also on the table. Around the table you can see the brown tiles of the VG&M's floor and walls.Photograph of the four panellists speaking at the Collecting Stories launch event seated with Georgina Endfield, the moderator of the panel. Katy Hooper, editor of the book, is holding the microphone and speaking. Behind them are the ornate walls of the VG&M, with intricate tiling, windows, and decorations.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Such a joy to be part of the Collecting Stories launch this evening! ✨ It’s a one-of-a-kind book celebrating the University’s archives and the stories each object holds. My piece explores the voyage through time of the lollipop sea squirt! 👉 www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
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Nova Mieszkowska @marclim-uk.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
If you ♥️ barnacles, time-series, fieldwork, modelling, and AI, apply for a PhD with myself, Phil Fenberg, @michaeltburrows.bsky.social, and Steve Hawkins @thembauk.bsky.social www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
Combining long-term ecological monitoring with AI-analysis and field experiments to model biodiversity responses to climate change at University of Southampton on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Combining long-term ecological monitoring with AI-analysis and field experiments to model biodiversity responses to climate change at University of Southampton, listed on FindAPhD.com
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Nova Mieszkowska @marclim-uk.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Groundbreaking work on the use of eDNA for characterizing intertidal biodiversity, comparing it to my MarClim time-series from @dinathebiologist.bsky.social, myself, Tom Webb, Helen Hipperson, and Matt Spencer @thembauk.bsky.social @livuniresearch.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Characterizing Rocky Intertidal Biodiversity Using Environmental DNA Metabarcoding From Local to National Scales
We assess the resolution of eDNA metabarcoding for detecting rocky intertidal taxa across three spatial scales—national, regional, and local. Distinct eDNA signals were observed at each scale, with c...
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
🚨 NEW PAPER: eDNA in the Intertidal 🧬 
We explored how eDNA reveals marine biodiversity across UK rocky shores from local patterns to national trends 🌊 
Read it in Journal of Environmental DNA 👉 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #eDNA #Intertidal #Biodiversity #PhDlife
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Characterizing Rocky Intertidal Biodiversity Using Environmental DNA Metabarcoding From Local to National Scales
We assess the resolution of eDNA metabarcoding for detecting rocky intertidal taxa across three spatial scales—national, regional, and local. Distinct eDNA signals were observed at each scale, with c...
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
New blog post about my week at #ITRS2025! What happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS (or does it?) 😜🌊 www.dinathebiologist.com/post/what-ha...
dinathebiologist.com
What happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS
Attending the 14th International Temperate Reefs Symposium (ITRS) as a final-year postgraduate researcher.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
After the conference, I took the chance to visit the Roscoff Biological Station founded in 1872 🌊🔬 It was a blast exploring the labs. Thanks to the lab manager for showing us around and #ITRS2025 for organising 🌊
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Spontaneous final dinner was a blast (although I was running on 4hrs sleep)! Nice to meet you @trinebekkby.bsky.social 🌊
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Huge thanks to my funders @challengersoc.bsky.social, @britishecologicalsociety.org and ACCE DTP for making my attendance at #ITRS2025 possible 🌊🦀🐚
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
ITRS 2025 ✅ 🌊 This week has been one of the best of my entire PhD. I met so many fantastic scientists doing meaningful work—and managed some well-needed exploring after sitting at a desk for so long. All my academic role models in one room? Amazing. #marinebiology #temperatereefs #ITRS2025 #ITRS25
My supervisor (Nova) and me in front of the very Instagrammable ITRS sign.My talk - me standing at a podium in front of slides showing indicator species Some of my important academic role models in one room! Four people standing together smiling.The closing ceremony. Many people sitting in a big room watching someone talk on the podium.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
I’m at the International Temperate Reef Symposium in France this week! My first ever international conference and biggest conference of my career so far! I’ll be presenting my work on Friday. If anyone is around, come find me!! 🌊 🧬 #ITRS25
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Meet me and my supervisor, Nova, at #ITRS25 this week! Chatting all things rocky shores and eDNA 🧬 🌊
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JNCC @jncc.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
📢We're looking for a #MarineOrnithologist to join us! This varied role will include supporting a review of the Special Protection Area (SPA) network, data analysis & review of management measures. 📆 Closing date: 30 June 2025 👉 Learn more & apply here: bit.ly/JNCCpost202529 #JobOpportunity
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Amazing time at @pintofscience.uk! The audience were so engaged and asked very insightful questions. Can’t wait until next year! 🧬 🌊 #pint25
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
I’ll be attending and talking at this year’s International Temperate Reef Symposium in Brest 🌊 Hit me up if you are attending too!
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Cher Chow 周馥溢 @cherfychow.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
🚨New data paper/open data alert!🚨 BioTIME v2.0 is out now! We've expanded the database with improved spatial and taxonomic coverage, with a new R package! As always, free, public, and open acess :) Paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... Database: biotime.st-andrews.ac.uk
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
BioTIME 2.0: Expanding and Improving a Database of Biodiversity Time Series
Motivation Here, we make available a second version of the BioTIME database, which compiles records of abundance estimates for species in sample events of ecological assemblages through time. The up...
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UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Dina-Leigh Simons @liverpooluni.bsky.social used #eDNA to survey rocky reef #biodiversity. Many spatial + environmental influences on intertidal #eDNA, but local abiotic stress gradients and known biogeographical patterns captured. Scale-appropriate sampling needed #UKDNAWG25
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
A surreal experience standing at the Royal Society podium to share my PhD research at the @ukdnawg.bsky.social Conference. Grateful for the opportunity to present my work on eDNA for coastal monitoring and to connect with such a brilliant community of researchers 🧬
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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
@dinathebiologist.bsky.social from U of Liverpool traditional monitoring of rocky shores by visual surveys, but limited eg lack of ID. Can #eDNA complement? Multimarker approach. Few shared species by marker. Detections reflected known biogeographical patterns. Yes, eDNA complements #UKDNAWG25
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Just a quick hi. Still here, still thesising. T-minus 2 months and 3 weeks (ish)…
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Can't remember who said it, but using ChatGPT for your college essays is like using a forklift to move the weights around at the gym. It's the process that's important to your development, not the end product.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Although I wouldn’t describe myself as a bird person, I absolutely loved hosting the Liverpool book launch of ‘The Life-Affirming Magic of Birds’ by the fab @charliebingham.bsky.social 🐦 Such a lovely chat and great book💕 Go buy it!!
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
I’m speaking at @pintofscience! 🍻🧬Join me to explore how climate change is transforming our oceans — and how DNA might be able to help🌊 🗓️ Tue 20 May 2025 🕖7–9 PM (Doors 6:30 PM) 📍 Frederiks, 32 Hope Street, Liverpool 🎟️ £5 (tickets linked) pintofscience.co.uk/event/scienc...
pintofscience.co.uk
Science, Culture & Society
What is the logic behind certain food prices? What is the reality of raising a child with more than one language? How does climate change affect habitats f…
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Just mapped out the last 4 months of this PhD—and I think I’ve got this?! Wild feeling. Ask me again next month.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Reminder that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in PhD land. Rejected from two travel grants and a postdoc position last week. Rejected from a third travel grant today. No one is currently willing to give me their money (sigh)! At least my R code is looking dishy 😎
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Check out my latest blog post on how to secure a funded PhD in the UK! Whether you're just starting to think about a PhD or ready to apply, this guide offers practical tips and resources to help you navigate the process🎓 dinathebiologist.com/post/how-to-... #Funding #Academia #PhD
dinathebiologist.com
How to secure a funded PhD in the UK
This is a guide to securing a funded PhD project in the UK.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Spent the start of the week at a @jncc.bsky.social marine eDNA workshop, discussing how to advance the technique in UK marine monitoring 🧬 Amazing to be in the same room as so many skilled and experienced people!
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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 12/02/2025
Want to do a PhD in climate, with a focus on using machine learning to recover millions of lost weather observations and so better reconstruct climatic changes over the past century? Open to students from UK and Ireland, funded through @climatecocentre.bsky.social. www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
Using machine learning to help reconstruct changes in extreme rainfall over British & Irish Isles at University of Reading on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Using machine learning to help reconstruct changes in extreme rainfall over British & Irish Isles at University of Reading, listed on FindAPhD.com
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The Marine Biological Association @thembauk.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Are you interested in working aboard a multidisciplinary research vessel? We're looking for a Seagoing Research Coordinator to help lead exciting marine research & outreach activities! 🌊 🗓️ Apply by 2nd March 2025. 📍 Plymouth, UK. For more details and to apply ➡️ buff.ly/3EqRQO7 #OceanJobs
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Ayana Elizabeth Johnson @ayanaeliza.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
As expected, the Trump team is already deleting climate info from government websites. In anticipation, our team at Urban Ocean Lab created a permanent archive of 100+ key resources and published a permanent archive: www.urbanoceanlab.org/resource-hub 👩🏽‍💻
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
I keep getting distracted daydreaming about my alternate life if I weren't doing a #PhD in science—definitely a symptom of the final-year blues! Right now, in my head, I'm thriving as a West End dancer or a bestselling fiction author. What's your alternate career if #science hadn't been victorious?
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Happy 2025! 🎉 As a New Year exercise, I’ve reflected on my #PhD journey. This blog offers a year-by-year breakdown of my progress as I approach the final chapter (pun intended). www.dinathebiologist.com/post/reflect...
dinathebiologist.com
Reflecting on my PhD journey so far
Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of my progress as I navigate this closing chapter (pun intended).
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
My resurrection blog post from internet death is all about finding my place online again and my thoughts on the use of social media in the scientific community #phdlife #socialmediainscience #marinebiology www.dinathebiologist.com/post/finding...
dinathebiologist.com
Finding my place online again
My resurrection blog from internet death, all about finding my place online again.
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Can we improve support for forest restoration just by tweaking advert designs? Check out our new paper on strategic conservation marketing in collaboration with @rspb.bsky.social !🌍📊 conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #Conservation #Marketing #Pro-environmental
conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Impacts of ecosystem service message framing and dynamic social norms on public support for tropical forest restoration
The study: Recorded responses of > 1000 UK adults towards different marketing strategies. Tested 6 treatments - 3 message framing strategies in the presence and absence of a dynamic social norm nudge...
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tomjwebb @tomjwebb.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Come and do a PhD with me! ACCE+ Funded studentship in association with Cefas on Global patterns of fish feeding behaviour in a changing world: implications for food webs and fisheries www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
ACCE+ Studentship - Global patterns of fish feeding behaviour in a changing world: implications for food webs and fisheries at University of Sheffield on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - ACCE+ Studentship - Global patterns of fish feeding behaviour in a changing world: implications for food webs and fisheries at University of Sheffield, listed on FindAPhD.com
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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
It seems the academic community is migrating! So, an intro - I’m a PhD canidate at the University of Liverpool using #eDNA to monitor rocky intertidal #biodiversity 🦀🐚. I’m interested in macro ecology, climate change and conservation. Science communication is my jam 👩🏽‍🔬🧬
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