A Manx family has gained another academic professorship after a marine scientist gave her inaugural professorial lecture.

Invasive marine species expert Prof Elizabeth Cottier-Cook, who helped to develop the Isle of Man marine biosecurity plan, was awarded a professorship with the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.

She is married to Manxman Prof Finlo Cottier, whose father, Ian lives in Port St Mary and was once the headteacher of Douglas High School.

Both professors live in Oban, Scotland, and currently work at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).

Around 80 people, including father-in-law Ian, went to SAMS to hear Prof Cottier-Cook’s lecture entitled The Day of the Triffids’ - Alien invasions and the future security of our oceans.

Prof Cottier-Cook previously worked in an expert advisory role with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on the Isle of Man biosecurity plan and also ran a workshop on invasive species for DEFA and volunteers from environment groups.