Dr Victoria Todd, Director
Dr. Todd is an Honorary Research Fellow at Heriot-Watt University in the Department of Life Sciences and has degrees in Marine Biology (B.Sc. Liverpool University), Oceanography (M.Sc. Southampton) and terrestrial ecology and acoustics of bats (Ph.D. University of Leeds). She is experienced in international marine law (United Nations Environment Programme, Convention on Migratory Species, Bonn, Germany) and in marine mammal acoustics as Guest Investigator at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI, Massachusetts). She has participated in large field trials involving the impacts of military sonar on Gray whales (WHOI/US Navy funded work) and marine mammal acoustic surveys (Mediterranean and Inner Hebrides). She recently planned and directed a series of acoustic trials on seal scarers for the fish farm industry in Scotland.
Ian Todd, Company Secretary
Ian Todd has an honours degree in Business Studies (B.Com. Edinburgh University), numerous MNTB/DOT/IMO qualifications, various diplomas including marine engineering, Class 4 Marine Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency in both Steam and Motor (Glasgow College of Nautical Studies). Formerly a Third Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy, he served deep-sea and worldwide with P&O Nedlloyd, previously the largest container shipping company in the world. He is a registered JNCC Marine Mammal Observer , RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore, BSAC Boat Handling and Diver Coxswain Instructor (for rigid hulled and inflatable power-boats), BSAC First Class Diver and Advanced Instructor (certified to teach most skill development courses), PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (distinctive instructor certifified to teach circa. 20 speciality courses), ITDA Extended Range, Technical Decompression Diver, Trimix Diver, Gas Blender, STATS Advanced Dive Industry Technician, Cylinder Testing Part II Technician, Gas Blender and Nitrox Technician, Compressor Air Systems Management, ASSET Life Member, EFR Instructor (in primary and secondary care in first aid, including AED) , National Qualifications Framework Level 3 in Teacher Training in recognition of the quality of scuba diving tuition that he provides. He is also the Chief Instructor and co-proprietor for Appin Scientific's sister company, the National Diving College - see Links for further details.
Will Pearse, Intern
Mr Pearse contributes to data analysis and fieldwork activities. He is an undergraduate Zoology student at Cambridge University and has experience in terrestrial and marine ecology (including seabird rescue and rehabilitation). He is a member of the Scientific Dive Team and is a qualified Oxygen Administrator and Emergency First Responder with Automatic External Defibrillator training.
Collaborating company
Dr Paul Lepper
When our work involves acoustic modelling or advanced acoustic sound measurements, we work closely with Dr. Paul Lepper, the co-director of NewLeap Ltd., which specialises in acoustic equipment development and advanced signal processing for underwater applications. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow with the Optical Engineering Group and is associated with bio-acoustic monitoring and hydrophone development at Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University. He has worked at the Marine Physical Laboratory, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California, following his Ph.D on sonar detection. He holds a first degree in Electronic Engineering and Physics.
Publications, proceedings, theses, reports, etc.
Below is a list of some of the publications by staff members, illustrating the range of skills held by the company:
1994 |
Graner, F. & Turner, V.L.G . 1994. Songs of the Sea. Killer whale recordings from Arctic Norway (free cassette). BBC Wildlife Magazine 12 (11). |
1997 |
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1998 |
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2001 |
Turner, V.L.G. 2001. Killer whale facts. Mammalaction News 94 , 5-6. |
2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
Turner, V.L.G. , M.J. Doble & P.A. Lepper. 2005. Acoustic, oceanographic and visual measurements from a jackup drilling platform in the Dogger Bank region of the North Sea (Sectors B4-5 and B11- 4): potential impacts on marine mammals . Appin Scientific Limited. Prepared for Wintershall AG Technical Report 1 ., 122 pp. |
2006 |
Turner, V.L.G. & I.B. Todd. 2006. A six-month study of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) activity around a gas production platform/drilling rig complex in the North Sea (2005-2006) . Appin Scientific Limited. Prepared for Wintershall AG Technical Report 2 ., 72 pp. |
2007 |
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