Fadilah Ali MEnvSci Environmental Sciences, Biodiversity and Conservation, 2011

My dissertation was based on the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and focused on analysing the feeding ecology and preferences of lionfish. The most important thing I gained from this dissertation has been the experience of successfully conducting my own research in a remote location and being able to respond efficiently to any obstacles I encountered.

Why did you choose to study at Southampton?

I chose Southampton primarily because of the MEnvSci course. I was especially interested in the wide variety of modules offered and also the ability to specialise according to the pathways chosen. Southampton’s location and the abundance of green space throughout and around the University and city were also particularly appealing.

What did you find most enjoyable about your course?

I enjoyed the field courses the most. The first year field course to Exeter was a great way to get to know my course mates whilst also learning about new field techniques. It was also a great opportunity to conduct our very first group research project and present to our peers. The third year field course to Swanage was also fantastic in that we were challenged to design and conduct our own research project. It was a fulfilling experience as it also prepared us for our final year dissertations.

What was your dissertation on, and what do you think was the most important thing you gained from it?

My dissertation was based on the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and focused on analysing the feeding ecology and preferences of lionfish. This was coupled with a socio-economic component since I conducted a questionnaire to assess differences in the levels of awareness and opinions of various stakeholder groups and compare them between an invaded territory (Bonaire) and an un-invaded territory (Trinidad and Tobago).

The most important thing I gained from this dissertation has been the experience of successfully conducting my own research in a remote location and being able to respond efficiently to any obstacles I encountered.

What did you enjoy most about the field-work during your course?

I enjoyed the exposure to various types of techniques which were especially useful for designing our individual research projects. Some of the skills gained during the field-work on the Environmental Sciences course definitely helped to enhance employability.

Has the combination of theory and practical field-work in your degree given you the confidence and ability to put it into practice now?

Definitely! Not only have I been able to utilise these skills for my own research, but it has provided me with great skills to enhance my employability. I have since been employed as the Tropical Marine Conservation Biology Faculty at CIEE Research Station Bonaire where I not only teach conservation biology but also supervised students who conducted their own independent research project.

What is your PhD about, and how did you get involved in this area of research?

My PhD is a continuation of my MEnvSci dissertation and is entitled: “Beauty or Beast: An analysis of the ecological and socio-economic impacts of the lionfish invasion in the Southern Caribbean. I first got involved with studying lionfish due to the third year MEnvSci desk-based research project, which led to an internship in Bonaire as part of the Work Based Learning placement module where I also collected data for my fourth year dissertation.

Since your degree, what has been your greatest achievement so far?

Since completing my MEnvSci degree in 2011, my greatest achievement has been my involvement with the Gulf Caribbean and Fisheries Institute (GCFI). During my first international conference in 2011 at GCFI in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, I had the honour of presenting both a paper and a poster, after which I was awarded the prize for best oral presentation. Subsequently, in 2014, I was appointed to the Board of Directors at GCFI which was quite an achievement since the majority of the board are a few decades older and more experienced than I am. Since then I have played a major role in the communication department, particularly in the field of social media.

If you could give one piece of advice to potential Environmental Science students, what would it be?

Pursue your passion! If you aren’t sure what your passion is, try to pick modules that you find interesting. The more you learn about various aspects of Environmental Sciences, the more you learn about what interests you or not.