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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 11

New blog post about my week at #ITRS2025! What happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS (or does it?) 😜🌊

www.dinathebiologist.com/post/what-ha...

What happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS

Attending the 14th International Temperate Reefs Symposium (ITRS) as a final-year postgraduate researcher.

www.dinathebiologist.com

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 7

After the conference, I took the chance to visit the Roscoff Biological Station founded in 1872 🌊🔬 It was a blast exploring the labs. Thanks to the lab manager for showing us around and #ITRS2025 for organising 🌊

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 6

Spontaneous final dinner was a blast (although I was running on 4hrs sleep)! Nice to meet you @trinebekkby.bsky.social 🌊

Trine Bekkby @trinebekkby.bsky.social · Jul 5

Last night together before we all go back 🌸 #ITRS2025

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 6

Huge thanks to my funders @challengersoc.bsky.social, @britishecologicalsociety.org and ACCE DTP for making my attendance at #ITRS2025 possible 🌊🦀🐚

Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 6

ITRS 2025 ✅ 🌊 This week has been one of the best of my entire PhD. I met so many fantastic scientists doing meaningful work—and managed some well-needed exploring after sitting at a desk for so long. All my academic role models in one room? Amazing.

#marinebiology #temperatereefs #ITRS2025 #ITRS25

My supervisor (Nova) and me in front of the very Instagrammable ITRS sign.

My talk - me standing at a podium in front of slides showing indicator species

Some of my important academic role models in one room! Four people standing together smiling.

The closing ceremony. Many people sitting in a big room watching someone talk on the podium.

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 6

ITRS 2025 ✅ 🌊 This week has been one of the best of my entire PhD. I met so many fantastic scientists doing meaningful work—and managed some well-needed exploring after sitting at a desk for so long. All my academic role models in one room? Amazing.

#marinebiology #temperatereefs #ITRS2025 #ITRS25

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jul 1

I’m at the International Temperate Reef Symposium in France this week! My first ever international conference and biggest conference of my career so far! I’ll be presenting my work on Friday. If anyone is around, come find me!! 🌊 🧬 #ITRS25

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Jun 30

Meet me and my supervisor, Nova, at #ITRS25 this week! Chatting all things rocky shores and eDNA 🧬 🌊

The Marine Biological Association @thembauk.bsky.social · Jun 25

📍 Meet Dr Nova Mieszkowska at the International Temperate Reef Symposium! @marclim-uk.bsky.social‬

MBA Senior Research Fellow, Nova leads the global MarClim project on marine biodiversity & climate change. Discover her research, @journalofthemba.bsky.social‬, & Membership discount codes 🌿 #ITRS25

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Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons

JNCC @jncc.bsky.social · Jun 18

📢We're looking for a #MarineOrnithologist to join us!

This varied role will include supporting a review of the Special Protection Area (SPA) network, data analysis & review of management measures.

📆 Closing date: 30 June 2025

👉 Learn more & apply here: bit.ly/JNCCpost202529

#JobOpportunity

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 22

Massive congratulations Vicki!! 🥳

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 21

Amazing time at @pintofscience.uk! The audience were so engaged and asked very insightful questions. Can’t wait until next year! 🧬 🌊 #pint25

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 20

Thanks so much! Right back at you Ursula! So well presented ☺️ great to meet you!

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 16

Thanks so much @shrewgod.bsky.social ! I’ve got Pint of Science coming up next week…so less graphs and more Star Trek references 🧬👽

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 16

I’ll be attending and talking at this year’s International Temperate Reef Symposium in Brest 🌊 Hit me up if you are attending too!

Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons

Cher Chow 周馥溢 @cherfychow.bsky.social · May 15

🚨New data paper/open data alert!🚨 BioTIME v2.0 is out now! We've expanded the database with improved spatial and taxonomic coverage, with a new R package! As always, free, public, and open acess :)

Paper:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Database:
biotime.st-andrews.ac.uk

BioTIME 2.0: Expanding and Improving a Database of Biodiversity Time Series

Motivation Here, we make available a second version of the BioTIME database, which compiles records of abundance estimates for species in sample events of ecological assemblages through time. The up...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons

UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · May 14

Dina-Leigh Simons @liverpooluni.bsky.social used #eDNA to survey rocky reef #biodiversity. Many spatial + environmental influences on intertidal #eDNA, but local abiotic stress gradients and known biogeographical patterns captured. Scale-appropriate sampling needed #UKDNAWG25

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 15

A surreal experience standing at the Royal Society podium to share my PhD research at the @ukdnawg.bsky.social Conference. Grateful for the opportunity to present my work on eDNA for coastal monitoring and to connect with such a brilliant community of researchers 🧬

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Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons

Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

@dinathebiologist.bsky.social from U of Liverpool traditional monitoring of rocky shores by visual surveys, but limited eg lack of ID. Can #eDNA complement? Multimarker approach. Few shared species by marker. Detections reflected known biogeographical patterns. Yes, eDNA complements #UKDNAWG25

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 8

Just a quick hi.
Still here, still thesising.
T-minus 2 months and 3 weeks (ish)…

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Reposted by Dina-Leigh Simons

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · May 7

Can't remember who said it, but using ChatGPT for your college essays is like using a forklift to move the weights around at the gym.

It's the process that's important to your development, not the end product.

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · May 7

Although I wouldn’t describe myself as a bird person, I absolutely loved hosting the Liverpool book launch of ‘The Life-Affirming Magic of Birds’ by the fab @charliebingham.bsky.social 🐦 Such a lovely chat and great book💕 Go buy it!!

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Apr 14

I’m speaking at @pintofscience! 🍻🧬Join me to explore how climate change is transforming our oceans — and how DNA might be able to help🌊
🗓️ Tue 20 May 2025
🕖7–9 PM (Doors 6:30 PM)
📍 Frederiks, 32 Hope Street, Liverpool
🎟️ £5 (tickets linked) pintofscience.co.uk/event/scienc...

Science, Culture & Society

What is the logic behind certain food prices? What is the reality of raising a child with more than one language? How does climate change affect habitats f…

pintofscience.co.uk

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Apr 8

Just mapped out the last 4 months of this PhD—and I think I’ve got this?! Wild feeling. Ask me again next month.

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Mar 11

Reminder that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in PhD land.

Rejected from two travel grants and a postdoc position last week. Rejected from a third travel grant today.

No one is currently willing to give me their money (sigh)!

At least my R code is looking dishy 😎

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Mar 7

Check out my latest blog post on how to secure a funded PhD in the UK! Whether you're just starting to think about a PhD or ready to apply, this guide offers practical tips and resources to help you navigate the process🎓
dinathebiologist.com/post/how-to-...
#Funding #Academia #PhD

How to secure a funded PhD in the UK

This is a guide to securing a funded PhD project in the UK.

dinathebiologist.com

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Dina-Leigh Simons @dinathebiologist.bsky.social · Mar 5

Spent the start of the week at a @jncc.bsky.social marine eDNA workshop, discussing how to advance the technique in UK marine monitoring 🧬 Amazing to be in the same room as so many skilled and experienced people!

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