Isabella Cruz


        Isabella Cruz in a black beanie hat

MRes Student

Growing up along the Chesapeake Bay, I have always been fascinated by the relationship between the ocean and human health. After completing my undergraduate in biochemistry at Virginia Tech, I developed an interest in biotechnology and global sustainability. With a passion for resolving the negative impacts of plastic pollution, my research focuses on the transport and distribution of microplastics in the marine environment.

Contact details:
  • isabella.cruz@sams.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)01631 559 000


  • Linkedin

Qualifications

2022 BSc Biochemistry, minor in Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics on the west coast of Scotland

For the past 10 years, Marine Directorate has conducted microplastic surveys in Scottish waters, determining five major hotspots in the West Highlands, Argyll, Clyde, Solway, and Forth & Tay regions. However, a general trend assessment has yet to be conducted due to discrepancies in the data collection. My project is building off the recent work of Marie Russell and Lynda Webster as I aim to identify the types of microplastics found in these regions and their spatiotemporal distribution.

Supervisors:

Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (DoS; SAMS-UHI) 

Dr. Geslaine Gonçalves (SAMS-UHI) 

Marie Russell (previously with Marine Directorate) 

Lynda Webster (Marine Directorate) 

 

Start date: October 2024