Marja van den Houten


        Marja, wearing a headscarf, posing with her dog

SAMS Seaweed farm manager

I am a change maker, always looking for ways to improve and test new ideas. I am energised by collaborations where open minded people are comfortable to discuss all options and investigate different angles.

Contact details:
  • marja.vandenhouten@sams.ac.uk


I hope to build on the experience and expertise of the SAMS seaweed farm focussing on operational and environmental performance and strategic planning, making us the trail blazer in this for the emergent industry.

Employment history

2 years -  PA and Governance duties. JNCC

6 years -  Head of environment committee local council. Community of Lucinges and agglomeration council

6 years -  Board member (HSE council) social enterprise (re-insertion). Les Brigades verts du Genevois

7 years - Teaching fellow contract researcher,  environmental consultant. University of Aberdeen

5 years - Rewilding project manager. Gabon Vert, Gabon

1 year - Protocol optimisation method development biological control project - EMBRAPA - CPATSA, Juazeiro. Brazil

Qualifications

2002 MScRes Environmental microbiology. University of Aberdeen

1996 MSc Biology. Wageningen University and Reseach

1993 BSc(hons) Biological laboratory technology. Hogeschool van Amsterdam

Publications

Defra Evidence Statement ME5120

Other research outputs:

SAGES/Edinburgh Climate Change Institute consultancy for One Cherry social enterprise start up (2019). (article here)

Current Projects

Setting up of a Biological Recording HUB for the North and West of Scotland

Fieldwork experience 

International fieldwork experience, Brazil, Gabon. France, Scotland

Relevant training course/qualifications

Advanced Power Boat, Crane operator, Yacht master theory, First aid, Oxygen administration and AED, practical rescue management, HSE for SME (France)

Outreach Experience

Events organising for local and regional environmental-themed events, seminars, demos, school labs, round the table discussions and actions. 10 tonnes of waste removed from mountain streams in France in 10 years of action. Asssited 10 day ghostnet removal expeditions on the North Sea. Supported Dutch Maritime Productions in the making of the “Wild North Sea”.

Teaching Experience

Oil and Gas Enetrprise management (lecturer, second marker and mentor)

Hydrocarbon enterprise (lecturer)

Benthic ecology field work assistant undergrads.

Organic chemistry practical assistant for medical first years

Plant taxonomy field work assistant undergrads

HSE at work for SME (consultant)

Fresh water labs for primary schools (lead)

Entomology labs for primary schools (lead)

Business development (Eco- startups)

Carbon consulting and management of change