Alejandra Mejía-Saenz


        Alejandra Mejía-Saenz next to an AUV

Research Student

I am a deep-sea ecologist focused on quantitative image-based assessment of seafloor habitats. In my PhD, I will apply machine-learning models to analyse sensitive marine habitats on the shelf and shelf edge of Greenland to better understand the impacts of fisheries and climate change.

Contact details:

The application of machine-learning to establish baselines and short- and long-term change in sensitive marine habitats

The context of this PhD is the development of automated benthic imagery analysis pathways, in order to map benthos and support spatial planning, marine conservation and fishing activity on the Greenlandic shelf and shelf edge.

Supervisors 

Dr Tom Wilding, SAMS UHI - View Profile

Dr Joseph Marlow, SAMS UHI - View Profile

Dr John Halpin, SAMS UHI - View Profile

Dr Nadescha Zwershke, Greenland Climate Research Centre (part of Greenland Institute of Natural Resources) - View Profile

Funder

UHI and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources

Start Date

01/10/2024

 

Education 

2021 - MSc Marine Environment and Resources (Erasmus+) - University of the Basque Country, University of Southampton, University of Liege

2019 - BSc (licenciatura) Biology - Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala

Career

2021-2024 - Harmful Algae Researcher - Harmful Algae Research Center/ Fisheries Development Institute

2023-2024 - Author and Scientific consultant - Ministry of science of Chile

2023 - Environmental research consultant - Yadrán S.A.

 

 

Publications

Mejía-Saenz, A., Simon-Lledó, E., Partridge, L.S., Xavier, J.R. & Jones, D.O.B. (2023) Rock outcrops enhance abyssal benthic biodiversity. Deep Sea Res. I. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2023.103999

Simon-Lledó, E., ..., Mejía-Saenz, A., ..., & Jones, D.O.B. (2023) Carbonate compensation depth drives abyssal biogeography in the northeast Pacific. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-023-02122-9

 

Conference talks

Status and Perspectives of the Petén Itzá Basin, Water Symposium, May 2019, National Council for Protected Areas, Guatemala. Talk: Microplastic Pollution in Lake Petén Itzá

 

Poster Presentations

Marine Imaging Workshop, October 2024. Poster: Discovery of mud-covering behaviour evidences the complex life-habits in the abyss.

8th International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals, May 2023. Poster: Rock outcrops enhance abyssal benthic biodiversity and provide habitat for larger soft corals.

ICES Annual Science Conference, September 2022, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Poster: Unravelling the composition of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems through eDNA tools.

16th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium, September 2021, Deep-Sea Biology Society. Poster: Polymetallic nodules & megafauna: Body-size variations in the eastern CCZ