Dr Yu-Ting Chen

About me:

I am a postdoctoral research associate working for Upstream Thinking project under Prof Richard Brazier. I joined the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) since August 2023.

Previously, I completed my PhD in Environmental Science at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor, in Canada. My thesis was entitled “Biogeochemical cycling across the riverine-shoreline-lake interface of the Lake Erie watershed”. I engaged in projects under the Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON). During my studies, I conducted my fieldwork in Lake Erie watersheds and nearshore of Western Lake Erie basin, using automated in situ phosphorus analyser and sensors to collect high-frequency water quality data. In addition, I used dual nitrate isotopes to identify sources of nutrient within the watershed. My research also involved evaluation for sediment microbial community and functions using metabarcoding and metatranscriptomics.

Generally, I gained wide range of experience in using multiple research tools in order to better understand nutrient biogeochemical cycling within freshwater systems. Currently, at CREWW, I apply these methods to study the impacts of catchment intervention measures on the raw water quality of drinking water reservoirs in south west England, working in parnerships with the Environment Agency, South West Water, South West Peatland Partnerships, Natural England, West Country Rivers Trust, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, South West Lakes Trust and Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West.

External Industry Research Projects:

Upstream Thinking Project 3 (2020-2025)

Upstream Thinking Project 4 (2025-2030)