Dr Mills' research focuses on three main themes: (i) understanding long-term [Holocene] changes in climate [effective precipitation] and environments [catchment change] using fossilised algae preserved in lake sediment records; (ii) development and application of quantitative diatom models (transfer functions) to assess water chemistry changes through time and (iii) understanding the effects of human impacts on freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and how this may affect the resilience of these systems under increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Her research interest centres on trying to understand how lake ecosystems have responded to past climate changes from a multi-disciplinary perspective and to try to understand how resilient these often vulnerable but ecologically important freshwater resources may be to future climate changes, especially under increasing pressure from human activity, pollution and modification.
Academic Career
- 2014 – ongoing : Palaeoenvironmental Scientist, British Geological Survey
- 2012 –2014 : Lecturer in Physical Geography, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
- 2009 –2012 : Research Fellow, Federation University (University of Ballarat), Australia
- 2005 –2009 : PhD in Palaeolimnology, Department of Geography, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
Professional Responsibilities
- 2013: Guest Editor for Special Issue of Climate of the Past (PAGES YSM).
- 2012- : Treasurer of the International Society for Diatom Research.