Academic
1993-1996 - University of Plymouth, England, UK - BSc Biological Sciences
1996-1997 - University of Wales Swansea, UK - MSc Environmental Biology
2001-2004 - Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK- PHD
"Endocrine disruption and intersexuality in the amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus"
Work
1997-1998 - Nature Conservation Officer - City and County of Swansea Wales
1998-1999 - Pollution Control Officer - City and County of Swansea Wales
1999-1999 - Expedition Leader - Green and Loggerhead Turtle Conservation - Northern Cyprus
1999-2001 - Senior Research Assistant investigating "Epibenthic Diversity of the North Sea"- University of Wales Swansea, UK
2001-2004 - Part-time Lecturer in Environmental Biology - Napier University, Scotland
2004-2006 - Lecturer in Marine Biology and Ecotoxicology - Napier University, Scotland
2006-2008- Principal Investigator in Marine Ecology and Ecotoxicology - Environmental Research Institute (Thurso), UHI Millennium Institute
2008- to date- Senior Lecturer in Marine Zoology - University of Portsmouth, England, UK.

Reviewer for the following journals:

Advances in Experimental Biology; Aquatic Ecology; Aquatic Toxicology; Biological Invasions; Ecotoxicology; Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science; Invertebrate Biology; Invertebrate Reproduction and Development; Journal of Crustacean Biology; Journal of Morphology; Journal of Plankton Research; Marine Biology; Naturwissenscheften; Oikos; Technology and Environmental Chemistry.

Research Grants:

• (PI) NERC Standard Research Grant (NE-G004587-1), (£338,000 contribution to Portsmouth; £49,160 to Cardiff). Differential gene expression in normal and intersex crustaceans: New horizons for investigating pollution, parasitism and climate change (2009-2012). Including NERC funded studentship due to be completed in Oct 2012. In collaboration with Dr Kille (CoPI) Cardiff University).
• (PI) NERC Facilities Grant (NE-G004587-1), (£50,000 contribution to Portsmouth). Differential gene expression in normal and intersex crustaceans: New horizons for investigating pollution, parasitism and climate change (2009-2012).
• (Consultant/CoPI) FCT €158,867 (€7,100 contribution to Portsmouth) 2011-2014 PTDC/MAR/111537/2009 INPACTAR- Long-term effects of intersexuality and other impacts on populations of Echinogammarus marinus.
• (CoI) Nottbeck Foundation grant entitled “Interactions between parasite infestation and susceptibility to toxic substances in Monoporeia affinis: refining biomarker approach for Baltic Sea environmental testing” with Drs B. Sundelin, T. Elfwing and E. Gorokhova (Sweden) and Drs. Sandberg-Kilpi, M. Lindström and J. Norkko (Finland) (2008-2009 €18,760).
• (CoI) Nottbeck Foundation grant entitled “Hypoxia-specific biomarkers for Monoporeia affinis as a tool for Baltic Sea environmental testing” with Drs B. Sundelin, T. Elfwing and E. Gorokhova (Sweden) and Drs. Sandberg-Kilpi, M. Lindström and J. Norkko (Finland) (2007-2009 €25,290).
• (PI): UHI Millennium Studentship (2007-2011). Intersex in amphipods: linking genes to physiology (£60,000)
• (PI) NERC Molecular Facilities Grant (ref MGF 223), £8,000. Transcriptomic 454 analysis of normal and intersex amphipods. (2008-2009). In collaboration with Dr Kille (Cardiff University).
• (International Collaboration Grant) Royal Society of Edinburgh and National Science Academy of Taiwan (RSE-NSA) Collaboration Grant 2006-2007 with Prof Mei-Hui Li (National Taiwan University) on “Intersexuality in Taiwanese Crabs” (£2,300).
• (CoI) Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Research Program looking at “Microsporidian infections in Bothian and Baltic Sea amphipods” with Dr Brita Sundelin 2005-2006 (University of Stockholm).
• (International Advisor): Biological Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors (BEAST). WP1: Field studies and experiments in selected sub-regions of the Baltic Sea. 9 country EU funded project (€1,649,342); http://www.bonusportal.org/bonus_projects/research_projects/beast/
• (Work Package Leader 2007-2008– Ecological Impacts: Dr Alex Ford – work package joint Heriot Watt 2007-2010) The ecological impact of marine renewable devices in the Pentland Firth [in collaboration with Heriot-Watt; £1,000,000] - EMEC programme ADVANCING MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH CAPACITY IN SCOTLAND with funding from Scottish Research Council Strategic Regional Development Fund (SRDG), and Highlands and Islands Enterprise).
• (CoI): (CSL)/DEFRA Studentship funding on the “Ecotoxicological Effects of Nanoparticles.
• (CoI): DEFRA Knowledge Transfer grant on scoping study into the environmental impacts of nanoparticles with Institute of Ocupational Medicine; University’s of Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
• (PI): British Council/FCT 2006-2007 “Modelling Intersexuality in the amphipod Echinogamarus marinus” in collaboration with Dr Irene Martins – University of Coimbra, Portugal (£1,500).
• (PI) Carnegie Trust for Scottish Universities 2004-2006“Intersex in cave amphipods” (£3,000) in collaboration with Prof Doug Glazier– Juniata College, Penns, US.
• (PI) British Ecological Society 2004-2005 “Intersexuality in Gammarus minus” (£2,500). in collaboration with Prof Doug Glazier– Juniata College, Penns, US.
• Travel Grants: Royal Society; Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; UHI.

Publications

• Short, S., Yang, G., Sambles, C., Kille, P., Ford, A.T. (2011). Transcriptomic profiles and microsporidian infection levels in the amphipod Echinogammarus marinus, in submission.
• Ford, A.T. (2011). Intersexuality in Crustacea: An environmental issue? Aquatic Toxicology, in press.
• Glazier, D.G., Brown, T., Ford, A.T. (2011). Similar offspring production by normal and intersex females in two populations of Gammarus minus (malacostraca: amphipoda) with high levels of intersexuality. Crustaceana, in press
• Ford, A.T., Martins, I., Dunn, A. M. (2011). Insights into sperm-fertlisation relationships in the Arthropoda with ecological significance modelled in an amphipod. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development. In press.
• Jacobson, T., Sundelin, B., Yang, G., Ford, A.T. (2011). Low dose TBT exposure decreases amphipod immunocompetence and reproductive fitness. Aquatic Toxicology, 101, 72-77.
• Yang, G., Short, S., Kille, P., Ford, A.T. (2010). Microsporidia infections in the amphipod Echinogammarus marinus (Leach): suggestions of varying causal mechanisms to intersexuality. Marine Biology, 158, 461-470.
• Guler, Y., Ford, A.T. (2010). Anti-depressants make amphipods see the light. Aquatic Toxicology, 99, 397-404.
• Jacobson, T., Holmstrom, K., Yang, G., Ford, A.T., Berger, U., Sundelin, B. (2010) Perfluorooctane sulfonate accumulation and parasite infestation in a field population of the amphipod Monoporeia affinis after microcosm exposure, Aquatic Toxicology, 98, 99-106.
• Martins, I., Ford, A.T., Fernandes, T. (2009). Intersexuality incidence, sex ratio fluctuations and intersex reproductive output as factors affecting the temporal variation of intersexed populations of the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus. Marine Environmental Research, 68(4), 163-169.
• Shields, M.A., Dillon, L-J., Woolf, D.K., Ford, A.T. (2009). Strategic priorities for assessing the ecological impact of marine renewable energy devices in the Pentland Firth (Scotland, UK). Marine Policy, 33, 634-642.
• Ford, A.T.(2008). Can you feminise a crustacean? Aquatic Toxicology, 88(4), 316-321
• Ford, A.T., Sambles C., Kille P. (2008). Intersexuality in crustaceans: genetic, individual and population level effects. Marine Environmental Research, 66(1), 146-148
• Yang, G., Kille, P., Ford, A.T., (2008). Infertility in a marine crustacean: Have we been ignoring pollution impacts on male invertebrates?, Aquatic Toxicology, 88(1), 81-87
• Ford A. T. & Glazier D.S. (2008). Pesistently high levels of intersexuality in male-biased amphipod populations. Zoology, 111, 401-409.
• Sundelin, B., Eriksson Wiklund, A‐K., and Ford, A. T. (2008). Biological effects of contaminants: the use of embryo aberrations in amphipod crustaceans for measuring effects of environmental stressors. ICES Techniques in Marine Environmental Sciences No. 41. 21 pp.
• Ford A.T., Read, P.A, Jones T.L., Michino, F., Pang, Y., Fernandes, T.F. (2007b). An investigation into intersex amphipods and a possible association with aquaculture. Marine Environmental Research, 64(4), 443-455.
• Ford A.T., Martins, I., Fernandes, T.F. (2007a). Population level effects of intersexuality in the marine environment. Science of the Total Environment. 374, 102-111.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes T.F., Read P.A., Robinson C.D., & Davies I.M. (2006a). Can pollution cause intersexuality in the amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus? Marine Pollution Bulletin. 53, 100-106.
• Fernandes, T., Rosenkranz, A., Ford, A., Christofi, N., Stone V., (2006c). Ecotoxicology of Nanoparticles (NPs). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry SETAC Globe: Learned Discourses Sept – Oct, 43-45.
• Ford A.T., Roders-Gray T.P., Davies I.M., Dunn A., Read P.A., Smith J.E., Robinson C.D., & Fernandes T.F. (2005c). Abnormal gonadal morphology in intersex, Echinogammarus marinus (Amphipoda): A possible cause of reduced fecundity? Marine Biology. 148, 913-918.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes, T.F. (2005b). Notes on the occurrence of intersex in amphipods. Hydrobiologia. 548(1), 313-318.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes, T.F. (2005a). Better the devil you know? A precautionary approach to using Amphipods and Daphniids in endocrine disruptor studies. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 24(5), 1019-1021.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes T.F., Rider S.A., Read P.A., Robinson C.D., & Davies I.M. (2004a). Endocrine disruption in a marine amphipod? Field observations of intersexuality and de-masculinisation. Marine Environmental Research. 58, 169-173.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes T.F., Read P.A., Robinson C.D., & Davies I.M. (2004b). The costs of intersexuality: A crustacean perspective. Marine Biology. 145, 951-957.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes T.F., Rider S.A., Read P.A., Robinson C.D., & Davies I.M. (2003a) Reproduction in the amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus: a comparison between normal and intersex specimens. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K., 83, 937-940.
• Ford A.T., Fernandes T.F., Rider S.A., Read P.A., Robinson C.D., & Davies I.M. (2003b). Measuring sublethal impacts of pollution on reproductive output in marine crustacea. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 265, 303-309.
• Callaway, R., Alsvag, J., de Boois, I., Cotter, J., Ford, A., Hinz, H., Jennings, S., Kroncke, I., Lancaster, J., Piet, G., Prince, P., and Ehrich, S. (2002). Diversity and community structure of epibenthic invertebrates and fish in the North Sea. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: 1199-1214.

Peer Reviewed Citable Reports/Book Chapters.

• Ford, A.T. (2009). Intersexuality in CrustaceaIn: ICES. 2009. Report of the Working Group on Biological Effects of Contaminants (WGBEC), 16-20 March 2009, Weymouth Laboratory, UK. ICES CM 2009/MHC:04. 101 pp.
• Shields, M., Ford A.T., Woolf, D., (2008). Ecological considerations for tidal energy development in Scotland. 10th World Renewable Energy Conference. 1010-1015.
• Shields, M., Dillon, Woolf. D. and A.T.Ford. Ecological considerations for tidal energy development within the Pentland Firth (Scotland, UK). International Network for Offshore Renewable Energy Workshop 2008.
• Stone, V, Kinloch, I, Clift, M, Teresa Fernandes, Ford , A, Christofi, N, Alex Griffiths, A & Donaldson, K. (2007c). Nanoparticle Toxicology and Ecotoxicology: The Role of Oxidative Stress. In: Nanotoxicology, (eds.Y. Zhao and HS Nalwa). American Scientific Publishers.
• Stone V., Fernandes T. F., Ford A.T. & Christofi N. (2006b). Suggested strategies for the ecotoxicology testing of nanoparticles. MRS proceedings. 895, S1-6.
• Lang et al. (2005d). A scoping study to identify hazard data needs for addressing the risks presented by nanoparticles and nanotubes. Edinburgh: Institute of Occupational Medicine. DEFRA report, pp 137.
• Zühlke, R. & Alvsvåg, J. & Boois, I. de & Cotter, J. & Ford, A. & Hinz, H. & Jarre-Teichmann, A. & Jennings, S. & Kröncke, I. & Lancaster, J. & Piet, G. & Prince, P. (2001): Monitoring biodiversity of epibenthos and demersal fish in the North Sea and Skagerrak. Monitoring report to the Commission of the European Community, EC Project: 98/021.
• Zühlke, R. & Alvsvåg, J. & Boois, I. de & Cotter, J. & Ford, A. & Hinz, H. & Jarre-Teichmann, A. & Jennings, S. & Kröncke, I. & Lancaster, J. & Piet, G. & Prince, P.: Epibenthic biodiversity in the North Sea. In: Kröncke, I. & Türkay, M. & Sündermann, J. (eds), Burning issues of North Sea Ecology, Proceedings of the 14th International Senckenberg Conference North Sea 2000. Senckenbergiana Maritima, 32: 107-115.
• Zühlke, R. & Alvsvåg, J. & Boois, I. de & Cotter, J. & Ford, A. & Hinz, H. & Jarre-Teichmann, A. & Jennings, S. & Kröncke, I. & Lancaster, J. & Piet, G. & Prince, P. (2000): Monitoring biodiversity of epibenthos and demersal fish in the North Sea and Skagerrak. Monitoring report to the Commission of the European Community, EC Project: 98/021.

Non-peer reviewed Reports

• Tett, Edwards and Ford (June 2005) A theory based phytoplankton community index from continuous planlton recorder data
• Paul Tett, David Mills, Richard Gowen, Michelle Devlin, Martin Edwards, Alex Ford, Mike Best, Richard Park and Jo Foden (Sep 2005) Development of a phytoplankton community index for detection of eutrophication.
• Tett, P., Edwards, M. & Ford, A. 2006. A theory based phytoplankton community index from Continuous Plankton Recorder data. Contract report for DEFRA, 1-7