Role
Dr Ray works as the NTU Doctoral School Standards and Quality Manager, where he leads on the management and implementation of the NTU Doctoral School’s academic standards and quality assurance procedures. Part of the role is to ensure NTU’s continued compliance with Regulations relating to the University’s Research Degree Awarding Powers and to support Research Degrees quality assurance, management and enhancement initiatives at a University level.
Previously Dr Ray worked at the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, formerly as the Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Module Leader for CCMT30331 Environmental Assessment and Management (Level 6), CCMT20412 Environmental Monitoring and GIS (Level 5); CCMT20091 Advanced Analytical Techniques (Level 5); CCMT10061: Principles of Ecology (Level 4) and CCMT10311: Principles of Environmental Science (Level 4).
Dr Ray also taught on CCMT10415: Biodiversity and Ecology; CCMT30413: Advanced Ecology and remains part of the team for the CCMT30417 and ANIM32106 Dissertation modules, supervising various ecological and environmental science, [in particular marine ecology] related undergraduate dissertations. At Postgraduate level, Dr Ray has also supervised various marine related MSc and MRes projects (ARES40061/40071 MSc/MRes Research Project module).
Career overview
Dr Ray completed a BSc (Hons) in Zoology (specialising in aquatic ecology) at the University of Reading, before commencing a role at ITE/CEH Merlewood as an Assistant Scientific Officer in the Soil Ecology and Land Use departments. Following a summer Field Research Assistant role at Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Dr Ray returned to CEH Merlewood as a Scientific Officer in the Soil Ecology department continuing work on CS2000 and the Woodland Survey 2001. At the same time he embarked on a Masters of Research (MRes) in Science of the Environment at Lancaster University.
A CASE PhD studentship at Manchester Metropolitan University with CEH Lancaster followed in "Air pollution and impacts on soil and vegetation nutrient cycling". Dr Ray joined Nottingham Trent University in 2005 as a lecturer in Ecology and Conservation and Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation and Countryside Management. In 2009 the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science was validated and Dr Ray became Course Leader. During his time at NTU, Dr Ray undertook a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Returning to his original routes, Dr Ray has successfully forged links with various marine related organisations and enabled himself to utilise his Professional Diving skills in his research.
Research areas
Aquatic ecology (biodiversity spatial measurements) and environmental science (environmental factors impacting coral ecology and shark ecology):
- impacts of biodiversity within the marine and coastal ecosystem of Blue Bay and Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius
- Great White Shark population dynamics and abundance in South African waters
Air pollution and impacts on soil and vegetation nutrient cycling (microbial populations, water chemistry and vegetation):
- air pollution effects and biogeochemistry of terrestrial ecosystems
- heathland ecology: Interactions between atmospheric deposition and management techniques on vegetation and soil biochemistry
Centre of Integrated Water-Energy-Food (iWEF) at NTU:
Experimental and analytical investigations into Phosphorus absorbents.
NTU Medical Technologies and Advanced Materials Research Theme:
Turning wastewater pollutants into micro/nano structure bio-hydrochar materials.
Current PhD students:
Udeme Dickson - Coupling Phyto- and Myco-remediation techniques to manage crude oil contaminated soils in the Niger Delta, Nigeria (PhD project, April 2016 - January 2020).
Opportunities to carry out postgraduate research towards an MPhil / PhD or MSc by research exist in all the areas identified above and in associated interdisciplinary areas. Informal enquiries may be directed to Carl Smith. Further information may be obtained from the NTU Doctoral School.
External activity
- Executive Committee Member of the Committee Head of Environmental Science (CHES) / Institution of Environmental Science (IES)
- Member of British Ecological Society (BES)
- Member of Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM)
- Scientific Collaborator with White Shark Africa
- Member of (Master Scuba Diver Trainer) Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
- Former Scientific Advisor for Project Lagon Bleu (Eco-Sud) Mauritius
Sponsors and collaborators
Current and recent research is being conducted with the collaboration, funding and / or support of:
- DEFRA UKREATE (UK Research on the Eutrophication and Acidification of Terrestrial Ecosystems)
- Eco-Sud (Project Lagon Bleu) Mauritius
- White Shark Africa (Mossel Bay, South Africa)
- Centre for Marine Ecology (Ecologia Marina) and Utila Dive Centre (UDC), Honduras
- Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI)
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
- English Nature / Natural England
- Centre of Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) (formerly Institute of Terrestiral Ecology (ITE)).
Recent research funding has included:
- Research Assistant NTU Medical Technologies and Advanced Materials Research Theme Funding (2019) £4,500
- Research Assistant Centre of Integrated Water-Energy-Food (iWEF) QR Funding (2018) £4,500
- Research Assistant WSA/NTU QR Funding (2017) £4,500
- Research Assistant NTU/University of Mauritius QR Funding (2016) £4,500
- Mauritius Fieldwork, University QR Funding (2012) £5,000
- Mauritius Fieldwork, University RCF Funding (2011) £2,500.
Publications
Investigating the potential of sunflower species, fermented palm wine and Pleurotus ostreatus for treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil. Dickson, UJ, Coffey, M, Mortimer, RJG, Smith, B, Ray, N and Di Bonito, M 2020 Chemosphere, 240. 124881 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124881 ISSN 0045-6535
Mycoremediation of petroleum contaminated soils: progress, prospects and perspectives. Dickson, UJ, Coffey, M, Mortimer, RJG, Smith, B, Di Bonito, and Ray, N 2019 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts, 21, 1446-1458 doi: 10.1039/C9EM00101H
Several parameters that influence body size in the sea anemone Actinia equina in rock pools on the Yorkshire coast. Carling, B, Gentle LK and Ray, ND 2019 Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. ISSN 0025-3154
Habitat associations of hawkfish: depth, distribution, and density at two sites in Kenya. Hereward, HFR, Gentle LK, Ray, ND and Sluka, B 2019 Bulletin of Marine Science. ISSN 0007-4977
Ghost crab burrow density at Watamu Marine National Park: an indicator of the impact of urbanisation and associated disturbance? Hereward, HFR, Gentle LK, Ray, ND and Sluka, B 2017 African Journal of Marine Science, 39 (1), pp. 129-133. ISSN 1814-232X
Long-term impacts of enhanced and reduced nitrogen deposition on semi-natural vegetation Final Report Caporn SJM, Edmondson J, Carroll JA, Pilkington M and Ray N 2007. UKREATE Terrestrial Umbrella: Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. CEH Contract Report. Defra Contract No. CPEA 18
Modelling nitrogen saturation and carbon accumulation in heathland soils in response to nitrogen deposition. Evans CD, Pilkington MG, Caporn S J M, Carroll J A, Wilson D B and Ray N D, 2006. Environmental Pollution, 143. 468-478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.12.004
Long-term impacts of enhanced and reduced nitrogen deposition on semi-natural vegetation. Caporn SJM, Edmondson J, Carroll J A , Ray N, Cresswell N and Price E A C, Interim Progress Report of UK, DEFRA Terrestrial Umbrella - eutrophication and acidification of terrestrial ecosystems in the UK, 2005, 2, (4) UKREATE Terrestrial Umbrella: Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. CEH Contract Report. Defra Contract No. CPEA 18.
Long term impacts of enhanced and reduced nitrogen deposition on upland and lowland heath. Caporn SJM, Carroll J A, Cresswell N, Edmondson J, Pilkington M, Price E, Ray N and Wilson D, Interim Progress Report of UK, DEFRA Terrestrial Umbrella - eutrophication and acidification of terrestrial ecosystems in the UK, 2004, 2, (4) UKREATE Terrestrial Umbrella: Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. CEH Contract Report. Defra Contract No. CPEA 18.
Long term impacts of enhanced and reduced nitrogen deposition on semi-natural vegetation. Caporn SJM, Wilson D, Pilkington M Carroll J, Cresswell N and Ray N, Interim Progress Report of UK, DEFRA Terrestrial Umbrella - eutrophication and acidification of terrestrial ecosystems in the UK, 2004, 2, (4) UKREATE Terrestrial Umbrella: Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. CEH Contract Report. Defra Contract No. CPEA 18.
Nitrogen manipulation experiments on heather moorland and lowland heath. Long-term Impacts of Enhanced and Reduced Nitrogen Deposition on Semi-natural Vegetation. Caporn SJM, Carroll J, Cawley L, Cresswell N, Edmondson J, Pilkington M, Ray N and Wilson D, Interim Progress Report of UK, DEFRA Terrestrial Umbrella - eutrophication and acidification of terrestrial ecosystems in the UK, 2003, 2, (4) UKREATE Terrestrial Umbrella: Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. CEH Contract Report. Defra Contract No. CPEA 18.
Measuring Long Term Change in Biodiversity in British Woodlands (1971-2000) – a pilot re-survey of 14 sites from 1971 Nature Conservancy 'Bunce' Woodland Survey and two from the 1971 Native Pinewood Survey. Smart SM, Bunce RGH, Black HIJ, Ray ND, Bunce F, Kirby KJ, Watson R and Singleton D, Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, 2001
Press expertise
- Environmental factors affecting Great White Sharks activity in coastal areas
- Population dynamics of Great White Sharks
- Fish abundance and diversity on coral reefs
- Impacts on biodiversity within the marine and coastal ecosystem
- Environmental pollution impacts
- Air pollution effects and biogeochemistry of terrestrial ecosystems