Ella Marwood

Project Scientist

Email: em@smruconsulting.com

Ella is a Project Scientist at SMRU Consulting, Europe. She joined the team in October 2023 shortly after finishing her MSc in Marine Mammal Science at the University of St Andrews. During her MSc, as well as gaining a strong background in marine mammal biology, research methods, threats, conservation and statistical analyses, Ella completed a research project using quantitative techniques to analyse humpback whale song from the North Pacific. Ella also has experience collecting and managing data on marine mammals in the field, having worked with a non-profit organisation performing vessel-based surveys in the Moray Firth, Scotland, for the last three years. Her research interests include marine mammal behavioural ecology, genetic research techniques and bioacoustics.

  • Education

    • MSc Marine Mammal Science, University of St Andrews (2023)

    • BSc (Hons) Zoology, University College London (UCL) (2022)

    Skills and expertise

    • Data analysis and statistical modelling including R, MATLAB, QGIS, ArcGIS and Excel

    • Bioacoustic analysis with Raven Pro and PAMGuard

    • Photo identification techniques, mark capture-recapture analyses, transect surveys and species identification of marine mammals and birds

    • eDNA sample collection, filtration, amplification, and analysis methods

    • Marine Mammal Observation and powerboat handling

  • ‍Marwood, E.M., Eichenberger, F., Kobayashi, N., Okabe, H., Ozawa, S., Rendell, L., and Garland E.C. 2025. Humpback whale song complexity and evolution on a northwestern Pacific breeding ground: Okinawa, Japan. Royal Society Open Science. 12(2). http://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241388

    ‍Hodgins, N.K., Steel, E.M., Dyke, K., Walters, A.E., Dolman, S.J., Hall, K., Neave-Webb, E., Evans, P.G., Bird, C., Robinson, K.P., Marwood, E.M., Foubister, R., Harrop, H., Knight, A, Munro, K. (2024). Using citizen science to better understand Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) presence in northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles. Frontiers in Conservation Science. 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1366064 ‍‍ ‍

    Marwood, E.M., Dolan, C.J., Dolan, T., Robinson, K.P. (2022). Account of a solitary humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble-net feeding in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. Aquatic Mammals. 48(6). https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.553

    ‍ Nicholl, C. S. C., Burke, P. M. J., Marwood, E. M., Martin, J. E., Mahboubi, M., Tabuce, R., & Mannion, P. D. (2025). A re-evaluation of the notosuchian crocodyliform Eremosuchus elkoholicus from the lower Eocene of Algeria and the evolutionary and biogeographic history of sebecids. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 45(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2025.2572964

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  • Key Projects

    • Improving Density Estimates from (Digital) Aerial Surveys (IDEAS)

    • Predators and Prey Around Renewable Energy Developments (PrePARED)

    • Continuous Sound Impacts on Marine Mammals and Mitigation at Source (COSIMMAS)

  • Linked-In

    Phone: +44 (0)1334 466011

    Email: em@smruconsulting.com

    Mail: Scottish Oceans Institute

    East Sands

    University of St Andrews

    KY16 8LB

    Scotland