Nicola joined Forest Research in 2022 as a Research Scientist with a focus on a 3-year project evaluating genetic bottlenecks in planted and naturally colonised young woodlands, looking at species of oak and birch across multiple sites around England.

Nicola received a 1^st class honours in Forensic Science at Wolverhampton University (2007-2010), before going on to study a PGCE in Chemistry at the University of Worcester (2013) and more recently her MSc in Zoo Conservation Biology from Manchester Metropolitan University (2020).

Prior to joining FR, Nicola worked in research science at Seal Rescue Ireland in SE Ireland and Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation in Greece. Her roles there varied with some focus on terrestrial ecology and marine habitats. Before venturing into research science and conservation Nicola worked as a Project Manager and Surveyor for nearly 10 years managing contracts and development works in Birmingham and surrounding areas.

Research Interests

• Tree health
• Biodiversity assessments
• Soil ecology in natural forest soils
• Soil health and woodland ecosystems