Sankurie studied Marine & Environmental Biology at the University of St. Andrews before joining the National Museums Scotland in 1997.  She started working with Marine Invertebrates, Molluscs and Lower Vertebrates, specialising eventually in Molluscs.  Her work interests range from research on saline lagoon specialist molluscs in Scotland to historical research on the collections.  Sankurie is also passionate about raising the profile of marine issues and introducing marine biology to non-specialist audiences through the use of museum collections.