Professional summary
Deena is a scientific data specialist at UKCEH with a background in ecosystem modelling, data management and stewardship. She has worked on a wide range of modelling projects with national and international partners, gaining strong practical experience in developing and applying ecological models, managing complex environmental datasets, and creating workflows that support robust, transparent and reusable science.
As a Senior Data Steward, Deena co-leads the Research Data Management theme within UKCEH’s Data Stewardship Team, promoting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data principles to strengthen data management, stewardship and scientific capabilities across the organisation.
Alongside her leadership role, Deena continues to apply her coding and data management expertise in research, contributing to work on the effects of offshore renewable energy developments on seabird populations, including the development of a model to assess the population consequences of displacement.
Deena holds a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Population Genetics, also from Edinburgh, where her research explored methods for inferring population structure from single-generation data.
Hunter J. et al. , (2025), Empowering researchers through data stewardship and digital training to adapt to new data services. In: NERC Digital Gathering 2025, Cranfield University, 7-9 October 2025
Searle K.R. et al. , (2023), Seabird sensitivity mapping tool: project report [issue number 3].
Pollock, C.J., et al., Predicting demographic impacts from sublethal cumulative effects of offshore renewable developments on breeding seabirds (Preprint)
Leedham, O.; Searle, K.R.; Harris, M.P.; Newell, M.; Wanless, S.; Mobbs, D.C.; Butler, A.; Daunt, F. (2025). Time-activity budgets and energetics of common guillemot, razorbill, Atlantic puffin, and black-legged kittiwake. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre.