Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
References
Personal Information
Timeline
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Peter Lahiff

Peter Lahiff

Galway

Summary

Dynamic graduate marine ecologist with practical expertise at Aquafact Environmental Solutions Ltd., specializing in taxonomic identification of invertebrates. Proven ability to identify benthic species, assess environmental impacts, and deliver reports on time, complemented by strong communication skills and a self-directed work ethic. Passionate about marine conservation and dedicated to delivering high-quality ecological assessments. Qualifying member of CIEEM.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience

Work History

Speaker

Athlone
01.2024 - Current
  • Speaker at Pint of Science (Ireland) 2024, holding a presentation in Athlone on the importance of farmed macroalgae as wildlife habitat

Laboratory Work

ATU Galway
01.2023 - Current
  • Laboratory work in ATU Galway, preparing and identifying macroinvertebrate samples to species level [2024]
  • Professional practice (work placement) at ATU Galway: quantifying invertebrate biodiversity at a macroalgal mariculture trialling site [2023]
  • Organised and managed a project to assess the effects of climate change on marine molluscs in collaboration with a small group of other students. Done over the span of two weeks, during summer school at Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, Sweden [2023]

Field work

01.2021 - Current
  • Field work in coastal and offshore marine habitats in Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy, involving benthic sampling by hand, grab sampling, plankton trawls, macroalgae harvesting and dissections

Volunteer

Douglas Tidy Towns
Cork
01.2020 - Current
  • Volunteer with Douglas Tidy Towns, including freshwater monitoring schemes aimed at using macroinvertebrates to assess water quality in rivers around Cork city
  • Volunteer for the Beaumont Quarry Clean Up initiative and related ecological efforts (cataloguing insect species, clearing invasive plants)

Graduate Marine Ecologist

Aquafact Environmental Solutions, APEM Group
Galway
09.2024 - 04.2025
  • Prepared, sorted and identified samples of benthic marine invertebrates in order to assess environmental quality and human impact at client sites
  • Contributed to drafting reports on ecological impacts at these sites to ensure compliance with Irish and European Union environmental legislation
  • Compiled and cross-verified species identifications with colleagues and online databases, updating records with new scientific names where necessary

Undergraduate dissertation

01.2021 - 12.2021
  • Undergraduate dissertation: determining the ecological effects of wildfires on plant and invertebrate species in Killarney National Park, involving the sampling of terrestrial invertebrates in the field and their identification in the laboratory

Education

International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources -

Atlantic Technological University
Galway, Ireland

BSc. Hons. - Ecology and Environmental Biology

University College Cork

Skills

  • Taxonomic identification of marine invertebrates
  • Taking sediment cores and grab samples
  • Kick sampling techniques
  • Microscopy work
  • Use of chemical safety equipment (fume hood and respirator)
  • Biological and chemical water quality analysis
  • Sampling of plankton and macroalgae
  • R programming proficiency
  • GIS mapping and data analysis
  • Experience with AMBI and MEGA 11 software
  • Report writing
  • Confidence in field sampling, and working at sea
  • SCUBA diving certification
  • First Aid Responder qualification
  • Self-directed work ethic
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Regulatory compliance

Hobbies and Interests

  • Marine ecology
  • Nature conservation
  • Native habitat restoration
  • Sea swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Tag rugby
  • History, geography and language studies
  • Independent journalism and publishing
  • Arts & crafts

References

  • Fiona O'Mahony, Junior HR Business Partner, APEM Ireland, +353 (0)87 332 3448, f.omahony@apemltd.ie
  • Dr Jean O'Dwyer, Deputy Head of Environmental Science, UCC, 086 333 7636, jean.odwyer@ucc.ie
  • Dr José M. Fariñas-Franco, Thesis supervisor, ATU, +353 (0)91 2186, josemaria.farinas-franco@atu.ie

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 05/08/98

In possession of a learner's permit. Currently working towards a full driver's licence.

Timeline

Graduate Marine Ecologist

Aquafact Environmental Solutions, APEM Group
09.2024 - 04.2025

Speaker

01.2024 - Current

Laboratory Work

ATU Galway
01.2023 - Current

Field work

01.2021 - Current

Undergraduate dissertation

01.2021 - 12.2021

Volunteer

Douglas Tidy Towns
01.2020 - Current

International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources -

Atlantic Technological University

BSc. Hons. - Ecology and Environmental Biology

University College Cork

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Peter Lahiff