Jan has joined the Manx Wildlife Trust Marine Committee and splits her working life between DEFA Fisheries and writing educational materials.

She completed her PhD at Liverpool University, followed by several research posts at Port Erin Marine Laboratory where her interests included the plankton and nutrient dynamics of the northern Irish Sea, the biology of suspension feeders and pollutant residues in marine organisms. Jan has also worked as a teacher in local schools and is a great believer in the importance of environmental education and hands-on experience of local ecosystems for our young people. She hopes that she will be able to assist in the Manx Basking Shark Watch work.