Karen MacKechnie

Karen in white lab coat in the laboratory preparing sterile medium for algal cultures.

Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring Programme Delivery Manager

Having resided in Oban throughout my life, I have pursued a diverse career trajectory across various sectors. My professional journey with SAMS started in February 2017, where I transitioned from a Support Scientist role to assume the position of Delivery Manager for the Food Standards Scotland’s toxic algae monitoring programme in 2026.

Between 2019-2025, I also successfully completed a BSc (Hons) in Marine Science with Marine Biology at SAMS, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). I am now extremely lucky to have a job I thoroughly enjoy, much to the envy of friends and family.

Contact details:
  • karen.mackechnie@sams.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)1631 559 284

My role at SAMS

In my role as Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring Programme Delivery Manager, I oversee a team of 12 dedicated professionals, ensuring the efficient processing and analysis of seawater samples sourced from various shellfish production sites across Scotland. These samples are subjected to the identification and enumeration for a range of toxic phytoplankton species, thereby establishing an early warning system that enables harvesters to implement necessary precautions when concentrations of specific phytoplankton species exceed alert levels. It is crucial to note that certain phytoplankton species have the potential to produce toxins that can accumulate in bivalve molluscs, posing a significant risk to human health if the shellfish are ingested. Consequently, the monitoring of phytoplankton bloom development assumes paramount importance for both public health and the aquaculture industry, functioning as an effective early warning system for toxic events.

As the Delivery Manager, I am entrusted with the management and delivery of the regulatory monitoring programme for biotoxin-producing phytoplankton to UKAS 17025 standards. This responsibility encompasses conducting the programme on behalf of Cefas for Food Standards Scotland. Our team diligently reports the concentration of potentially harmful phytoplankton from approximately 40 sites on a weekly basis, thereby ensuring the continuous surveillance and timely dissemination of critical information.

Relevant employment history

Since 2026 Toxic Algae Monitoring Programme Delivery Manager, SAMS

2025-26 Phytoplankton Monitoring Programme Deputy Manager, SAMS

2017-25 CCAP Support Scientist / ARIES Lab Manager. SAMS

 

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Marine Science with Marine Biology. SAMS UHI

 

Publications

Sound, J., Peters, A., Bellamy-Carter, J., Rad Menendez, C., MacKechnie, K., Green, D. and Leney, A. (2021) Rapid Cyanobacteria Species Identification with High Sensitivity Using Native Mass Spectrometry, Analytical Chemistry, 93 (42), 14293-14299, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03412 

Wood EE, Ross ME, Jubeau S, Montalescot V, MacKechnie K, Marchington RE, Davey MP, McNeill S, Hamilton C, Stanley MS (2023) From green to orange: The change in biochemical composition of phototophic-mixotrophic Chromochloris zofingiensis in pilot-scale photobioreactors. Algal Research 75: 103238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.103238