![Sophie Watson](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5872?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Sophie Watson
(she/her)
Research Associate in Molecular analysis of phytoplankton associated water quality risk
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- WatsonS2@cardiff.ac.uk
-
Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Sir Martin Evans Building, Floor 3, Room C/3.17, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
Overview
I've always been interested in a holistic view of ecology and how the small things in this world (even microbes) can be used as early warning systems of significant ecological shifts. These tiny, often ignored species are at the forefront of change and therefore are the most critical components in recognising critical turning points. My PhD investigated the gut bacteria and parasites of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and wolverines (Gulo gulo), exploring how changes in gut communities could be used as indicators of broader ecological change and threatened survival. Now, I apply the same thinking to address how shifts in bacterial and algal communities can instead provide early warnings of water quality risk in drinking supplies and understand how ecological restoration can reinstate essential feedback loops necessary to maintain sustainable water supplies; a win-win. As such, I’m continually interested in research that tackles human, wildlife and environmental health equally, creating solutions that benefit all (i.e. a One Health approach).
My research sits directly on the interface between academia and industry. Chiefly, my work bridges critical knowledge and technology gaps within industry, adapting highly complex methodologies in to standard operation procedures for industry use and facilitating data interpretation. I strongly believe that we as scientists are a community and that the knowledge we gain is there to be shared. If you would like to discuss any part of my research further, please do not hesitate to reach out; WatsonS2@cardiff.ac.uk
Publication
2024
- Watson, S. E., Taylor, C. H., Bell, V., Hooper, A. S., Bellamy, T. R., Kille, P. and Perkins, R. G. 2024. Utilising eDNA methods and interactive data dashboards for managing sustainable drinking water. Sustainability 16(5), article number: 2043. (10.3390/su16052043)
2023
- Cuff, J. P., Dighe, S. N., Watson, S. E., Badell-Grau, R. A., Weightman, A. J., Jones, D. L. and Kille, P. 2023. Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 using infoveillance, national reporting data, and wastewater in Wales, United Kingdom: Mixed methods study. JMIR Infodemiology 3, article number: e43891. (10.2196/43891)
2022
- Franz, M. et al. 2022. Distinct gut microbiomes in two polar bear subpopulations inhabiting different sea ice ecoregions. Scientific Reports 12(1), article number: 522. (10.1038/s41598-021-04340-2)
2021
- Watson, S. E., McKinney, M. A., Pindo, M., Bull, M. J., Atwood, T. C., Hauffe, H. C. and Perkins, S. E. 2021. Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota. Scientific Reports 11, article number: 23372. (10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6)
2020
- Watson, S. E. et al. 2020. Parasites of an Arctic scavenger; the wolverine (Gulo gulo). International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 13, pp. 178-185. (10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.10.004)
- Watson, S. E. 2020. Arctic health: Investigating the gut microbiota and parasite diversity of Arctic species. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2019
- Watson, S. E., Hauffe, H. C., Bull, M. J., Atwood, T. C., McKinney, M. A., Pindo, M. and Perkins, S. E. 2019. Global change-driven use of onshore habitat impacts polar bear faecal microbiota. ISME Journal 13, pp. 2916-2926. (10.1038/s41396-019-0480-2)
Articles
- Watson, S. E., Taylor, C. H., Bell, V., Hooper, A. S., Bellamy, T. R., Kille, P. and Perkins, R. G. 2024. Utilising eDNA methods and interactive data dashboards for managing sustainable drinking water. Sustainability 16(5), article number: 2043. (10.3390/su16052043)
- Cuff, J. P., Dighe, S. N., Watson, S. E., Badell-Grau, R. A., Weightman, A. J., Jones, D. L. and Kille, P. 2023. Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 using infoveillance, national reporting data, and wastewater in Wales, United Kingdom: Mixed methods study. JMIR Infodemiology 3, article number: e43891. (10.2196/43891)
- Franz, M. et al. 2022. Distinct gut microbiomes in two polar bear subpopulations inhabiting different sea ice ecoregions. Scientific Reports 12(1), article number: 522. (10.1038/s41598-021-04340-2)
- Watson, S. E., McKinney, M. A., Pindo, M., Bull, M. J., Atwood, T. C., Hauffe, H. C. and Perkins, S. E. 2021. Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota. Scientific Reports 11, article number: 23372. (10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6)
- Watson, S. E. et al. 2020. Parasites of an Arctic scavenger; the wolverine (Gulo gulo). International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 13, pp. 178-185. (10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.10.004)
- Watson, S. E., Hauffe, H. C., Bull, M. J., Atwood, T. C., McKinney, M. A., Pindo, M. and Perkins, S. E. 2019. Global change-driven use of onshore habitat impacts polar bear faecal microbiota. ISME Journal 13, pp. 2916-2926. (10.1038/s41396-019-0480-2)
Thesis
- Watson, S. E. 2020. Arctic health: Investigating the gut microbiota and parasite diversity of Arctic species. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
For details on how we're working with industry to help implement molecular methods and interactive data dashboarding in to regular water quality monitoring, please see our live filmed Spring Knowledge Transfer Showcase here:
Watson, S.E.; Kille, P.; Perkins, R.G. Welsh Water: eDNA in Taste and Odour Monitoring [Webinar]. Spring Knowledge Transfer Showcase. 2023. Available online: https://ukwir2021.my.site.com/spring/s/user-voice/a0J8d000003E3mYEAS/welsh-wateredna-in-taste-and-odour-monitoring
Teaching
Student project/thesis supervision
I have supervised a number of undegraduate project placement students, Final Year Project (FYP) students, Masters students and PhD students in a range of areas including; eDNA sample collection field work, molecular laboratory analysis (DNA extraction through to Illumina or Nanopore sequencing), bioinformatic and statistical analysis, and written work.
If you are interested in conducting a project within our research team please contact either myself (WatsonS2@cardiff.ac.uk), Prof. Pete Kille (Kille@cardiff.ac.uk) or Dr Rupert Perkins (PerkinsR@cardiff.ac.uk).
External workshops/events
I organise and host a number of technical training workshops and knowledge transfer events for water industry. The aim of these events is to help interested partners implement molecular methods in to their regular water quality monitoring strategies and help interpret those data within the broader context of their catchments. If you are interested in finding out how our protocols can help you, please feel free to get in touch.