Belle Heaton

Aquarium Innovation and Research Technician

I am an aquarist and temperate marine ecosystem ecologist currently working on an innovative aquaculture project.

My previous work experience includes:

Working with and breeding marine species protected under the 'Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986' such as the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis and the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicular

Extensive time spent in the intertidal conducting surveys and collecting marine samples

Processing samples for genetic analysis

Contact details:
  • belle.heaton@sams.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)1631 559344
  • Linkedin

Qualifications

2022 MRes Applied Marine Science. University of Plymouth

2021 BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography. University of Plymouth

 

Employment history

Since 2024 Aquarium Innovation & Research Technician. SAMS

2022-24 Research Technician. Marine Biological Association

 

Publications

Heaton B, Brittain R, Adkins P, Scott-Somme K, Harley J (2024) The genome sequence of the cuckoo wrasse, Labrus mixtus Linnaeus 1758. Wellcome Open Research 9:549 

 

Fieldwork

Field collection of marine biological samples / organisms and support during intertidal surveys in England, Wales and Northwestern France for the projects MarClim and Darwin Tree of Life.

 

Relevant training

Personal License Exam Completed: PIL A & B (Scottish Accreditation Board 2023)

 

Outreach 

Shores of South Devon Steering Group Member: 2022-24

Marine life interest association that aims to celebrate and promote interest in the varied and highly diverse shores of the south Devon coast. I attended bi-monthly steering group meetings to help arrange monthly shore search activities and marine based talks.

Sea in the Park - Marine Biological Association: 2019

Worked as part of the team to organise and run 'Sea in the Park' events, in parks all over the Plymouth area. Experience talking to the public about marine life and issues as well as promoting the opening of the Plymouth Marine Park. 

Also organised and ran citizen science surveys, such as Crab Watch, Pacific Oyster Survey, Christmas Corella Surveys during my placement year at the Marine Biological Association.