Our staff

The Clyde River Foundation team has a combined 43 years experience working across the catchment. Our core work and vision is described in the River Clyde Fishery Management Plan. All of our staff participate in an extensive scientific programme, collecting and reporting environmental data to inform the objectives of the Plan. Each team member is involved in the delivery of our education projects and has enhanced disclosure through the Science Connects STEM Ambassador programme.

Dr. William Yeomans - Catchment Manager (2002 - present)

Willie Yeomans graduated from the University of Stirling in 1987.  Subsequently, he has worked as a fish farming trainee at Howietoun, a research technician at the Institute of Aquaculture (University of Stirling), spent ten years as a biologist with the Environment Agency working across the Thames catchment and three as a fisheries scientist at its National Salmon and Trout Fisheries Centre in Cardiff.  He completed a PhD while working with the Environment Agency, looking at the relationship between fish parasites and river pollution, before returning to Scotland in 2002 to become the Clyde River Foundation’s first full-time member of staff. Willie manages the Foundation and directs its work programme.

 

David McColl - Fishery Management Planner (2006 - present)

David McColl has a degree in Aquatic Bioscience and MRes in Marine and Freshwater Ecology and Environmental Management from the University of Glasgow. He led the production of the River Clyde Fishery Management and Biosecurity Plans and is responsible for their implementation. David coordinates fieldwork and contract work and corresponds with landowners.

 

 

Marissa Wong - Biologist (2019 - present)

Marissa Wong graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2017 with a BSc honours degree in Zoology. Since joining the Foundation as a resident biologist, she has helped organise and deliver our educational programmes, has been fully trained in invertebrate identification and is a team leader level in electrofishing.

 

Toby Miller - Biologist (2022 - present)

Toby is a Zoology graduate from the University of Leeds, coming up to Glasgow to study an MRes in Ecology and Environmental Biology with Shaun Killen focused on fishing as a ‘human-induced’ evolutionary pressure and how it may shape a population’s behaviour and physiology. He worked then as an aquarium and aviary technician at the University of Glasgow with a wide variety of species and projects. Toby joins the foundation as a resident biologist to support in carrying out fieldwork and delivering Clyde in the Classroom.

 

Antonia Illingworth - Biologist (2023 - present)Antonia Illingworth is pictured next to a river wearing waders and a baseball cap.

Antonia did her undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow where she studied Zoology. As part of her course, she took behavioural ecology, disease ecology and ecology and conservation of African ecosystems, which involved fieldwork in Kenya. Her undergraduate project involved engaging the public in coastal surveys online, looking at biodiversity on the shore. She is the newest member of the team and is excited to work for the Clyde River Foundation as a Biologist.

 

 

 

Paddy McCleave - Biologist (2023 - present)

Paddy is a graduate from the University of Glasgow, where he completed both his undergraduate degree and Master of Research. During his studies Paddy became interested in science communication and education and strives to ensure scientific research and ideas are available to everyone. Since joining the Clyde River foundation, he has helped prepare and deliver the Clyde in the Classroom project.