Gerard graduated with a BSc in Geology from University College Cork in 2015. He has since completed an MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management from UCC in 2017. Thereafter, he completed a PhD in Seabed Habitat Mapping in UCC in 2023. A common theme throughout Gerard’s academic career is the use of GIS technology to determine the ecosystem drivers that sculpt ecologically important environments. His PhD thesis: "The Application of Object-Based Image Analysis to Geomorphological Seabed Mapping" he uncovered the capacity of object-based image analysis to create scale resilient seabed habitat maps and exploit the information within these maps to provide insights into the hydrodynamics of the seafloor. Furthermore, he was able to provide recommendations for optimising seabed mapping workflows for large scale projects such as INFOMAR and Seabed 2030. Since 2018, Gerard has published 4 peer reviewed articles in journals including Remote Sensing, Frontiers in Marine Science and Geomorphology and has acquired 4 separate research awards and grants including GeoHab's Ron McDowell award and the IEOS award for best presentation. Gerard has participated in 10 research surveys, each of which have the baseline data for several high impact publications. Currently, Gerard is a post-doctoral researcher as part of the SEAMANS_Carbon project, whose goals are to accurately determine the carbon sequestration capacity of seagrass habitats using drone photogrammetry, sidescan sonar, and sediment cores. His background in automated image processing, offshore marine science and geology will allow him to effectively tackle the mysteries that lie at the heart of these ecosystems.

Establishment of pioneering scale resilient techniques for the assessment of seabed habitats. Understanding the hydrodynamic environment and its influence on benthic ecosystems.Combining multiple advanced technological systems with imaging and spatial analysis to provide robust holistic models on offshore ecosystems.