Ph.D. Student - Biological Sciences (Fish Health and Nutrition) 

Member of the Fish Nutrition and Health research group

Research topic: Investigating the potential utilization of insect meals as an alternative protein source in tilapia and carp feed.

Director of Studies: Dr. Daniel Merrifield

2nd Supervisor: Dr. Mark Rawling

Insects are a promising source of protein for fish diets in aquaculture to replace conventional sources such as fish meal due to sustainability issues. This research will investigate the nutrition value of insect meals for omnivorous freshwater fish such as tilapia. In particular, black soldier fly (BSF: Hermetia illucens) meal will be used to replace conventional protein sources in the diets of the fish. The aim is to improve dietary sustainability whilst also promoting good fish health, robustness and growth performance. A series of experiments will be undertaken to elucidate the value of insect meals in this context.

• World Aquaculture Society (WAS)
• European Aquaculture Society (EAS)
• Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN)
• American Fisheries Society (AFS)

Guest Advisor, Cogent Food & Agriculture (ISSN 2331-1983). Taylor & Francis Group. UK.

• Article Collection: Advancements in Alternative Proteins for Aquafeed: Enhancing Nutritional Quality and Utilization. 

Peer reviewer of research manuscripts for the following journals:

• Fishes | Animals | Aquaculture Journal | Aquaculture International | Fisheries Science | Aquaculture Research | Reviews in Aquaculture | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems | Environmental Science and Pollution Research 

Fish nutrition | Fish health | Aquaculture | Climate change and fish production 

Member of the Fish Nutrition and Health Research Group

Grants & Awards

• 2025   Research Grant, Seale-Hayne Educational Trust (SHET) and Centre of Research Excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS), UK.
• 2025  School of Biological and Marine Sciences Conference Awards, University of Plymouth, UK.
• 2024  Travel Grant, Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI), UK.
• 2024  Travel Grant, Plymouth Marine Science and Education Foundation (PlyMSEF), UK
• 2023  Study Travel Grant, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), UK
• 2022  Commonwealth PhD Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (CSC), UK.
• 2018  China Scholarship Council (CSC), Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), China P.R.