Biology staff and students recognised in MPLS Awards 2026

Delivering positive outcomes for marine biodiversity and coastal communities through people-centred, evidence-based policy engagement

Indonesia is home to globally important populations of critically endangered sharks and rays, yet these species are frequently caught by small-scale fishers whose livelihoods depend on marine resources. Dr Hollie Booth's work has shown that conservation policies are most effective when they are developed alongside the communities they affect.

Since 2021, her research has shaped fisheries and conservation policy at multiple levels across Indonesia. She implemented the world's first randomised controlled trial of marine conservation incentives, informing revised customary laws and marine protected area management plans for hammerhead sharks and wedgefish in Aceh Province. She also led Indonesia's first vessel buyout pilot programme for shark conservation in West Nusa Tenggara Province, supporting fisheries management and implementation of Indonesia's international conservation commitments.

By combining rigorous evidence with community participation and engagement across government, her approach offers a practical model for delivering positive outcomes for both marine biodiversity and coastal communities.

Professor Martin Maiden, Head of the Department of Biology, said: 

'The department is delighted to congratulate Hollie on receiving the MPLS Social Impact Award. A former DPhil student, Hollie’s career has blossomed to demonstrate how world-leading research can deliver tangible benefits for both people and nature. Her innovative work in Indonesia has combined rigorous scientific evidence, including the world's first randomised controlled trial of marine conservation incentives, with deep engagement of local communities, NGOs and policymakers.

'By developing and testing practical, equitable approaches to shark and ray conservation, Hollie’s research has influenced fisheries and conservation policy across Indonesia, while supporting the livelihoods and wellbeing of coastal communities. Her work exemplifies the Department's commitment to interdisciplinary, evidence-based research that matters to global challenges and creates meaningful societal impact. We are immensely proud of her achievements and delighted to see them recognised in this way.'

Embedding the environment in decision-making throughout the world food system

Food production is a major driver of biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental challenges, yet until recently there was no consistent global evidence base showing where those impacts arise or how they could be reduced

Dr Joseph Poore's 2018 analysis brought together data from nearly 38,700 farms across 119 countries, creating the most comprehensive global analysis of food's environmental impacts to date. The findings showed that environmental impacts vary dramatically between farms producing the same products and that shifting towards plant-based diets can substantially reduce those impacts.

Since 2021, the evidence has informed national dietary guidelines, underpinned standards for green finance, helped more than 90 major caterers reduce emissions across around 10 billion meals served annually, and sits behind product-level carbon footprint information used by Europe's largest supermarkets.

Head of Department, Martin Maiden said:

'I know I am speaking for the whole Department when I congratulate Joe Poore on receiving the MPLS Social Impact Award. An important contributor to the Department in many ways, Joe's research has transformed our understanding of the environmental impacts of food production and has provided the evidence and tools needed to support more sustainable decision-making across the global food system. His landmark work reveals the scale and variability of food's environmental footprint, demonstrating the significant opportunities to reduce impacts through changes in production and consumption. Through the HESTIA project, Joe has continued to lead innovation by developing the data, standards and analytical tools required for outcome-based environmental management in agriculture. The influence of his research extends from national dietary guidelines and green finance standards to food retailers, caterers, and policymakers worldwide.

'Joe's work exemplifies the power of evidence-based science to address some of our most pressing environmental challenges. The Department is delighted to see this recognition of his outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability and societal impact through this award.'

Making species prediction data available and usable for land use planning and conservation strategy globally

DPhil students at WildCRU, led by Chrishen Gomez, developed WildMAPS, an open-access platform that brings together predictive species distribution maps within a single, standardised database.

Launched in August 2025, the platform hosts predictions for more than 40 species across three continents and is already informing land use planning in Sabah, Northern Borneo. The team is working with the Sabah Government to use WildMAPS as part of a conservation land allocation strategy supporting the state's 30-year structural plan on land use.

Professor Martin Maiden said:

'Very many congratulations to Chrishen Gomez, Jennifer Linden, Guilherme Alvarenga and Tyler M-Ramcharan, all students in the WildCRU research group, on this extremely well-deserved recognition. The Department is especially cognizant of how students and early-career scientists are making crucial contributions to addressing global conservation challenges. By creating an open-access platform that brings together predictive species distribution data in a standardised and accessible format, the team is helping to bridge the gap between cutting-edge ecological research and real-world conservation decision-making. It is particularly encouraging to see WildMAPS already informing land-use planning in Sabah, Northern Borneo, through collaboration with the Sabah Government. Their work provides an exemplary demonstration of how innovative, collaborative science supports biodiversity conservation at scale. We are extremely proud of the team’s achievement and their growing influence.'

The Biology/IT Cluster Team is recognised through the successful expansion of its shared IT service across multiple MPLS departments while maintaining a high standard of user support. Through professionalism, collaboration, and adaptability, the team has delivered major service improvements, supported significant change projects, and established a scalable model for shared IT services that has strengthened resilience and collaboration across the Division.