Allan A Cochrane
I am a marine environmental chemist and palaeoclimatologist with expertise in geochemical analysis, climate reconstruction, and ecological monitoring across freshwater, coastal, and deep-water systems. My research integrates academic and industry perspectives to explore environmental change and support energy-transition initiatives, conservation strategies, and sustainable marine development.
Professional Role at Fugro
I contribute to international projects in renewables, carbon capture, oil, and gas. My focus is on sediment and water geochemistry, eDNA-based assessment, and habitat monitoring to inform strategic environmental planning.
University of Glasgow
At the Biomarkers for Environmental & Climate Science Laboratory (BECs), I investigate ecosystem resilience and environmental change from the Quaternary to the Anthropocene. I employ multi-proxy techniques, including chironomid and alkenone temperature reconstructions, organic geochemistry, stratigraphy, and tephrachronology, to study long-term climate variability. Additionally, I assess the impacts of ocean acidification on cold-water corals and monitor freshwater quality to support ecosystem management.
Academic Qualifications
• PhD Environmental Science (Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology & Quaternary Science), University of Stirling — NERC IAPETUS DTP (2020)
• MSc Climate Change: Managing the Marine Environment, Heriot-Watt University (2016)
• BSc (Hons) Earth Science, University of Glasgow (2015)
Research Interests
• Quaternary and Holocene climate reconstruction
• Marine and freshwater environmental change
• Sediment and water geochemistry
• Biomonitoring using biomarkers and eDNA
• Ocean acidification and coral ecosystem resilience
• Palaeoecology and habitat modelling
Methodological Expertise
• Chironomid and alkenone-based temperature reconstructions
• Tephrachronology and AMS radiocarbon dating
• XRF sediment geochemistry and stratigraphic profiling
• Ecological monitoring using eDNA and video interpretation
• Integrated environmental assessment in coastal and deep-water systems
