Committee Profiles

Chair - Gareth Griffiths CBiol FSB

Gareth has worked for most of the time on toxins of plant or microbial origins; in particular, gaining deeper understanding of how they harm those to whom they have access and how we can overcome consequent intoxication. He has, perhaps, focused on inhalation toxicology and respiratory physiology but throughout his career has also been extremely interested in the immune system. How immune function is integrated with the physiology of the whole organism and consequences of immune impairment.  Gareth has always been fascinated by biology, in its widest sense, and is always keen to learn about new things - there are plenty to choose from. Gareth is a Fellow of the society of Biology and a chartered biologist. He is keen to help young aspiring biologists to follow their career paths and enjoy the amazing world of biology.

Vice Chair - Jack Coughlan CBiol MSB

Jack is a marine biologist, now “more or less retired“, having worked in operations, planning and marine research for the electricity generating industry and latterly as a consultant in cooling water issues. His first job involved mass culture of unicellular algae, with carbon capture (!!) at Poole Power Station and was invited to join IoB during the 1963 symposium “The Better Use of the World's Fauna for Food”. Jack served on the Environment Committee and, from time to time, on the (original) Wessex branch committee. He is a trustee of the Hampshire and IoW Wildlife Trust and an advocate of their conservation and education work.

Secretary - Rachel Wilson CBiol MSB

Rachel is a Principal Marine Ecologist at Jacobs with 8 years of experience in marine survey and environmental impact assessment. She obtained a BSc in marine and freshwater biology and then continued on to gain a masters in Oceanography. Rachels' personal interest is in the area of deep sea biology, particularly cephalopods, for which she has undertaken voluntary work within the Natural History Museum spirit collections. Rachel has been a chartered member of the Society of Biology for the last 5 years.

Treasurer - Sarah Poole MSB

Sarah is a research scientist at Dstl and currently works within the areas of Immunotoxicology and Toxinology.  Since completing her degree at the University of Hertfordshire, she has taken a leading role in the development of two medical countermeasures against poisons, and am currently undertaking research into other forms of therapies against a broader range of chemical and biological agents. Sarahs' degree and initial training was in Microbiology with both an industrial and a molecular slant. One year of her degree was spent working as a member of the laboratory of Microbial Technology within the Faculty of Agriculture and Tropical Diseases at Kyushu University in Japan.  Whilst there, she undertook research on a specific family of microorganisms, the lactic acid bacteria, and their use as potential anti-microbial agents. This was an amazing experience, both due to the location and the exciting subject matter and has left her with an interest in fostering closer links between UK and Japanese research groups.

Other Committee Members

Karen Anderson CBiol MSB

Karen is a Marine Ecologist at Jacobs with 5 years of experience in marine survey, zooplankton identification and environmental impact assessment on marine mammals. She obtained a BSc (hons) Environmental Biology in 2001 and continued her education to gain MSc Oceanography. Karen is a trained Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Marine Mammal Medic and has undertaken voluntary research into marine mammals with the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Biscay Dolphin Research Programme and MarineLife Surveys.  Karen has been a member of the Society of Biology for three years and has recently become a chartered member. Karen joined the Wessex Branch committee as she is keen to impart her enthusiasm for biology to young people.

Jonathan David CBiol MSB

Jon is a research scientist working in the area of host response to bacteria. His research involves using  multiplexed technologies (specifically microarrays and bioinformatics) to investigate the response to infection in in vitro lung models. He is chair of a tripartite in vitro lung models working group and Senior Mentor for the Society of Biology within his establishment where he manages a chartership scheme for approximately 100 associate members, members and fellows. Jon is particularly enthusiastic about engaging younger biologists and encouraging continued professional development.

Marcus Grace CBiol FSB

Marcus is Deputy Head of the School of Education at Southampton University, and a Senior Lecturer in science and environmental education. He is a doctoral supervisor and teaches on undergraduate, masters and postgraduate initial teacher training programmes. His research focus is on adolescent decision-making about socio-scientific issues and engaging teenagers in health, sustainability and environmental issues. He reviews papers for the International Journal of Science Education, Environmental Education Research and the Journal of Biological Education.

Catriona Stone CBiol MSB

Cat has been a Science teacher and more particularly a Biology teacher up to A level, for quite a few years; she is keen to look at how the Society of Biology can help schools promote our subject. Cat also feels that students in our schools would benefit from meeting professionals working in out of school careers and for these reasons decided to volunteer to sit on the Wessex Branch committee. Cat has a BSc Honours degree in Biochemistry and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from Oxford. She originated from North Shropshire where her father was the local country vet and now lives on the Hampshire/Dorset border where the New Forest meets the sea, a wonderful part of the country.