Dr Nathan P. Griffiths
Researcher in Environmental DNA
Dr. Nathan Griffiths is a molecular biologist with a particular interest in applied ecology and emerging technologies. He attained his PhD in 2022 at the University of Hull and has spent the last 5 years working on the optimisation and application of eDNA-based approaches to environmental management.
Nathan has led and supported on various large-scale projects in collaboration with government agencies within the UK and overseas, in addition to forging collaborations with NGO’s and academic partners. Previous research has predominantly focussed on using emerging technologies to enable informed decision-making in heavily managed freshwater catchments working with Hull International Fisheries Institute. Currently, his goals are to apply these tools on a large scale to facilitate more targeted approaches to environmental management and decision-making.
- PhD, 2022, Developments in environmental DNA (eDNA) based decision-making in modified river catchments
- Master's degree in Environmental Management, 2017
Research interests:
- Molecular ecology
- Environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Freshwater ecology
- Environmental management and monitoring frameworks
Research project highlights:
- FW eDNA. Monitoring change in freshwater biological communities
- eDNA Frameworks: incorporating eDNA into the assessment of ecosystem health
- Beaver Impacts: investigating the ecological and social impact of beaver conservation translocation
Publications:
Blabolil, P., Griffiths, N. P., Hänfling, B., Jůza, T., Draštík, V., Knežević-Jarić, J., … Peterka, J. (2022). The true picture of environmental DNA, a case study in harvested fishponds. Ecological indicators, 142, 109241.
Griffiths, N. P., Bolland, J. D., Wright, R. M., Murphy, L. A., Donnelly, R. K., Watson, H. V., & Hänfling, B. (2020). Environmental DNA metabarcoding provides enhanced detection of the European eel Anguilla anguilla and fish community structure in pumped river catchments. Journal of fish biology, 97, 1375–1384.
Griffiths, N P., Wright, R M.,Hänfling, B., Bolland, J D., Drakou, K., Sellers, G S., Zogaris,S., Tziortzis, I., Dörflinger, G., & Vasquez, M I. (2023). Integrating environmental DNA monitoring to inform eel(Anguilla anguilla) status in freshwaters at their easternmostrange—A case study in Cyprus. Ecology and Evolution, 13, e9800.
Harper, L. R., Griffiths, N. P., Lawson Handley, L., Sayer, C. D., Read, D. S., Harper, K. J., … Hänfling, B. (2019). Development and application of environmental DNA surveillance for the threatened crucian carp (Carassius carassius ). Freshwater biology, 64, 93–107.