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Professor Joanne Preston from the ��������'s Institute of Marine Sciences has been awarded the (PlyMSEF) medal and has delivered this year's medal lecture. 

The medal lecture is an annual event at the University of Plymouth, recognising significant contributions to marine science. In the academic world, being selected to deliver a medal lecture is a big honour – reserved for scientists whose research has made substantial contributions to their field and influenced both scientific understanding and practical conservation efforts. 

Professor Preston delivered the 38th Plymouth Marine Science Education Forum (PlyMSEF) Medal Lecture earlier this month (6 November 2025). Her lecture, entitled , included insights from her pioneering work in coastal restoration ecology and represents a homecoming of sorts to Plymouth, where she began her research career. 

Previous recipients include some of the most influential marine researchers in the country, including several - one of the highest honours in British science. Professor Preston is also the first �������� scientist to win the PlyMSEF award.  

Reflecting on the award, Professor Preston said: “It feels such an honour to be given this medal, and to be acknowledged alongside a list of such inspirational scientists. Plymouth was where I started my professional journey as a post doc at the Marine Biological Association after finishing my PhD at the National Oceanography Centre, so it feels like coming full circle in some way.  

“I continue to work and collaborate with scientists from the marine research institutes in Plymouth - which is one of the many things I love about marine biological research - the opportunity to collaborate with scientists from all over the world to understand the wonders of our blue planet, and how we can co-exist with nature for the benefit of people and planet.” 

Leading restoration research at �������� 

Professor Preston leads the Seascape Ecology and Restoration Lab at the ��������, where her research focuses on understanding the relationships between biodiversity, structure and function of temperate coastal habitats including oyster reefs, seagrass meadows and saltmarshes, and the ecological connectivity between them. 

Her work is particularly significant given the devastating losses coastal habitats have suffered over the last 50-200 years. These losses have eliminated vital ecosystem services that nature provides, including water quality regulation, fish nursery function, and carbon and nutrient storage - all essential for human wellbeing and climate regulation. 

At the ��������'s Institute of Marine Sciences in Langstone Harbour, Professor Preston serves as scientific lead for two restoration initiatives: the and the , the UK's first seascape restoration project funded by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme. 

Both projects aim to restore multiple habitats including oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and bird populations to reconnect and revive our coastal waters. This innovative approach recognises that healthy marine ecosystems depend on the connections between different habitat types. 

Professor Preston's work exemplifies the ��������'s commitment to addressing the global climate and biodiversity crises through world-leading research that delivers real-world impact for people and planet.