Dina-Leigh Simons
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dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Dina-Leigh Simons
@dinathebiologist.bsky.social
250 followers 150 following 31 posts
Marine biologist and science communicator 🌍👩🏽‍🔬 | PGR at University of Liverpool, UK | she/her #FirstGen | eDNA, climate change, intertidal, conservation marketing | https://www.dinathebiologist.com/
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dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Oct 13
🚨 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
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...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
It’s me! 🧬 www.mba.ac.uk/pioneering-s...
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
www.mba.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
A wonderful venue for the Collecting Stories launch 📖 Such a pleasure to be invited as part of the Q&A panel!
livunipress.bsky.social Liverpool University Press @livunipress.bsky.social · Oct 17
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.
October 17, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
livunipress.bsky.social
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.
October 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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....
October 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
marclim-uk.bsky.social
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...
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
www.findaphd.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
marclim-uk.bsky.social
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/...
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...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:43 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
🚨 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
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...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:21 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
New blog post about my week at #ITRS2025! What happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS (or does it?) 😜🌊

www.dinathebiologist.com/post/what-ha...
What happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS
Attending the 14th International Temperate Reefs Symposium (ITRS) as a final-year postgraduate researcher.
www.dinathebiologist.com
July 11, 2025 at 11:48 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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 🌊
July 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Spontaneous final dinner was a blast (although I was running on 4hrs sleep)! Nice to meet you @trinebekkby.bsky.social 🌊
trinebekkby.bsky.social Trine Bekkby @trinebekkby.bsky.social · Jul 5
Last night together before we all go back 🌸 #ITRS2025
July 6, 2025 at 6:31 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Huge thanks to my funders @challengersoc.bsky.social, @britishecologicalsociety.org and ACCE DTP for making my attendance at #ITRS2025 possible 🌊🦀🐚
dinathebiologist.bsky.social Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 6
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.
July 6, 2025 at 6:27 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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.
July 6, 2025 at 6:24 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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
July 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Meet me and my supervisor, Nova, at #ITRS25 this week! Chatting all things rocky shores and eDNA 🧬 🌊
thembauk.bsky.social The Marine Biological Association @thembauk.bsky.social · Jun 25
📍 Meet Dr Nova Mieszkowska at the International Temperate Reef Symposium! @marclim-uk.bsky.social‬

MBA Senior Research Fellow, Nova leads the global MarClim project on marine biodiversity & climate change. Discover her research, @journalofthemba.bsky.social‬, & Membership discount codes 🌿 #ITRS25
June 30, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
jncc.bsky.social
📢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
June 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Amazing time at @pintofscience.uk! The audience were so engaged and asked very insightful questions. Can’t wait until next year! 🧬 🌊 #pint25
May 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
I’ll be attending and talking at this year’s International Temperate Reef Symposium in Brest 🌊 Hit me up if you are attending too!
May 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
cherfychow.bsky.social
🚨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
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...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
May 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
ukdnawg.bsky.social
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
May 14, 2025 at 9:05 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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 🧬
May 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
kirstenjharper.bsky.social
@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
May 14, 2025 at 9:10 AM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
Just a quick hi.
Still here, still thesising.
T-minus 2 months and 3 weeks (ish)…
May 8, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
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.
May 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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!!
May 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
dinathebiologist.bsky.social
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...
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…
pintofscience.co.uk
April 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM