SoapboxScience

Alfiah is a PhD student in Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, working on data mining & machine learning on planetary images, focusing on changes over the Martian South Polar Residual Cap. She started her interest in planetary science in high school, managing to join the Astronomy Olympiad team representing Indonesia. At university, she took an Electrical Engineering degree concentrating in Signal Processing with joining a planetary image analysis team in mind. After finishing her Bachelor Degree, joining an ASEAN-Korea exchange program, and then completing her fast-track Master Degree, she obtained the Indonesian Endowment Fund of Education to fund her interest in learning about Mars by using orbital images. Outside of doing research, Alfiah is a member of the Indonesian student association, gives talks about Mars, and hopes that she could show more visibility of Indonesian and muslimat-wearing hijab in planetary science. Alfiah is taking part in Soapbox Science Brighton on 2^nd June 11am-2pm with her talk “Looking for changes on Martian poles with the aid of 3D terrain model”. Thanks to the South East Physics Network and Mullard Space Science Laboratory for supporting Alfiah’s talk.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place – and what are you most looking forward to/excited about in taking part? 

ARDP: I had read of Soapbox Science in a science blog back when I was in Indonesia. When I started studying in the UK, there was an opportunity to speak in one. It is also quite rare to see people like me in Planetary Science in general and in Soapbox Science. It is very honourable to be able to represent. Hopefully, by being involved, I could also organise future Indonesian events as well as be able to inspire at least one more person.

Other than that, I previously had attended an event where I needed to discuss my research in my native language. It is interesting to experience that explaining your research in a language other than English is harder than it seems, as well as describing it outside of research communities. Even though I had done some outreach events with children in different age-ranges, doing it in public places where people have things to do, and much distraction would be challenging. Let’s see whether science talks can tempt people away a little bit from a summer day in Brighton!

SS: Tell us about your career pathway

ARDP: I have always had much interest in science but had a little difficulty specialising. As I liked Math and technology and also was interested in how images as two-dimensional data (though you have hyperspectral data as well) represented information, I entered the Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Department in Indonesia for my undergraduate, with doing research related to images in mind. I did not get many opportunities to do planetary imaging back in my undergraduate and my masters, which I started in my final undergraduate year at the same university. Fortunately, I get to pursue Martian imaging and data mining now for my PhD.

SS: What, or who inspired you to get a career in science? 

ARDP: My parents and many of my teachers, I guess. I was a pretty curious child, so I asked many questions. They always tried to answer, even now when sometimes answers from the internet can be obtained faster. Both of my parents are lecturers. I always like to help them, visiting their campus and reading many of their books. I always found academia a very comprehensive job. You get to teach and have a hand in building the next generation of scientists, but you also have your own research too. In regards to planetary science, I am very thankful to Mrs Artha, my physics teacher who offered me the last chair to join the astronomy competition, my undergraduate supervisor Mrs Litasari who’s very supportive and accommodating, and my current supervisor, Prof. Jan-Peter Muller. Many people can’t study science because of lack of support; I am very thankful for getting supportive parents, family, friends, teachers, and lecturers, which sadly I could not list all.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

ARDP: The interdisciplinary aspect of it. I like Mars, and I like working on my research, but I also like to learn something new. It is always nice because everyone is researching different things, even though they’re focused on the same planets. There are also similar research subjects for different planets like Earth or the Moon. I’ve never actually thought that there were people doing things like space archaeology or space law, but there were, and it’s always nice to learn.

Other than that, working in planetary science means obtaining first-hand data that you would normally know from books and science documentaries. The images are very breath-taking.

SS: Research in STEM is increasingly multi-disciplinary. Which subjects do you use in your work?

ARDP: Many people think that to do space-related science you need to do physics in your undergraduate. You will meet physics, but planetary science has many facets that you can approach based on your background. My work is mostly related to remote sensing and computer science (data mining, machine vision, machine learning). Statistics is also essential as working with many data; you need to be able to interpret and infer.

SS: What three attributes do you consider important to your work (e.g. creativity, team-work, etc.), and why did you pick these?

ARDP: Problem-solving. I think this critical in science. You are interested in something, you find a big problem and you need to solve in bit-sized chunks.

Teamwork and communication. Unlike what everyone perceives about a scientist, doing science is actually working in a team, knowing everyone’s strength and weakness. A lot more research is interdisciplinary and global now, so you need to be better at this.

Perseverance. I think this is very important. Even though you like what you do and maybe most of the time it goes well, there will be occurrences where everything seems to go wrong. You need to overcome them.

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be? 

ARDP: The costs to publish and access publications, I guess. Although I am inside the system as well, so it is quite hypocritical for me to say this, but to publish and to join conferences to present your work, meet people, learning the newest “science”, they cost a lot. As I am now a student with subsidised student registration for a lot of these events, I do not have enough concern for this yet. If you are an early career scientist from other countries without funding, attending a conference, subscription to a journal, or submitting a publication, is done after much deliberation.

Even though there are now free-to-publish online repositories and smaller meetings without registration fee, as well as public events (like Soapbox Science), still, to be an academics or researcher and keep being updated with research in your field, some of the top conferences and publications are not cheap. This is why I am very glad that more and more organisations are trying to publish open-access now.

SS: What would be your top recommendation for a female student considering pursuing a career in academia?

ARDP: If you think you’re shy or you believe that research in the lab is the only thing you need to do, please practice talking to a crowd and to many different people, as many opportunities can come from that. I am still trying to practice this myself, so, let’s try together.

Also, please don’t downgrade yourself. Please be confident and proud of yourself and your achievement, and apply for the opportunities you want.

SS: What words of encouragement would you give to children who might be interested in a career in science?

ARDP: If you like it, please do it. Many people want to pursue science but don’t get the opportunity to, so when you can, definitely try, even if you do not seem to be good at it now. There is no too early and too late. Try to be curious. Nowadays there are a lot more ways to learn science and do science compared to before; please utilise them.

Veronika Zhiteneva, Technical University of Munich, will be taking part in Soapbox Science Munich on Saturday 7th July. She will give a talk entitled: “Your poop + bugs + machine learning = drinking water”

Left to Right: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg E. Drewes, Sema Karakurt, Veronika Zhiteneva, Anastasia Ruf, Dr.-Ing. Uwe Hübner. Photo: Andreas Heddergott

SS: Why did you choose a scientific career?

VZ: In school, I really loved writing, poetry, and print media. Initially, I wanted to become a writer for Popular Science or Wired. A few doors opened during my first years at university that revealed how much more interesting being on the discovery side of science was in comparison to the communication side, so I switched. I figured the science itself and related technical skills should be learned in an academic setting, while communication skills could be learned outside of a 4 year degree. Now I’m appreciating how the two go hand in hand as I continue in my scientific career.

SS: How did you get your current position?

VZ: Persistence. My professor at TUM taught for many years at the same university I got my master’s degree from in the US. Though we didn’t overlap there, I wrote grant applications from abroad and made it clear I was willing to work for the position. After a year of correspondence, I came to Munich to start my PhD.

SS: What do you do in your everyday work life?

VZ: I run column experiments, troubleshoot, work with wastewater, do data analysis, troubleshoot, sometimes do sample prep, discuss problems and approaches with my colleagues and supervisors…and troubleshoot. Sometimes I teach as well.

SS: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

VZ: I’d have to say two things: 1) when you finally make sense of your results and they tell a good story, regardless of whether or not it’s the one you initially theorized, and 2) when a colleague or student shares their/your enthusiasm/gratitude with you – science can sometimes feel lonely, but remembering that we’re all deeply invested in the success of the project is important.

SS: What challenges do you encounter in science?

VZ: Mainly funding. Getting scooped is often a problem when you’re trying to take an incremental step forward in research. Adapting your idealized experimental plan to your real life circumstances is a never ending process.

SS: What are your most promising findings in the field?

VZ: The technologies our chair researches for treating water will allow cities to close their water supply networks, making sure the water coming out of your tap has the same quality as before, but is less energy intensive. We’re developing wastewater treatment techniques that use natural processes and microbes, and ways to supply enough water for different uses (drinking, irrigation, recreation) as urban populations continue to grow.

SS: What motivates you to give a talk at Soapbox science?

VZ: Statistically, fewer women occupy academic and supervisory positions (CEOs, professors, etc) than men. I was fortunate to have had great female supervisors and professors early in my academic career, and have recently felt like it’s my turn to provide a similar kind of mentoring to the next generation. Talking about science in a casual setting reaches more people in a more understandable format, and maybe it’ll stick with you longer if you happen upon it randomly.

SS: Do you have a few words to inspire other female scientists? What can we do to attract more women to STEM fields?

VZ: I don’t know about you, but I learned about very few women scientists in school, I can’t think of many apart from Marie Curie. If we teach girls about women who contributed to the advancement of science, we show them that women already are (and have been!) in STEM fields, and provide role models for them, just like we currently do for boys. If we make it normal, the distribution imbalance can solve itself.

We should continue supporting one another and discussing our findings, issues, personal experiences, and successes. Women by nature are more social than men, but we can use this for our benefit, and support each other, both in and outside the lab – this especially includes encouraging each other to take chances and seize opportunities that we might be unsure about.

Dr. Judith Pérez Velázquez, Helmholtz Zentrum München, will be taking part in Soapbox Science Munich on Saturday 7th July 2018. She will give a talk entitled: “Biology’s Next Microscope”

SS: Why did you choose a scientific career?

JPV: My brother in law, a high school history teacher, who had known me since I was a child, suggested I choose something from science, more ad hoc to my skills, more challenging, he said. I always respected his opinion as he always had a positive input in my family. At that time, I wanted to study informatics (at a technical level) so I listened to him and I enrolled myself in a University course in Computer Science. This subject was taught at the faculty of science (together with other subject such as physics and mathematics) with shared courses of the fundamentals of mathematics for all of us. I ended up falling in love with maths and I changed my study subject, graduating as a mathematician. The best decision of my life. Something that makes me happy every single day. I count myself lucky for finding my true vocation.

SS: How did you get your current position?

JPV: While working in the UK, I got engaged to my partner (German citizen) and we decided to move to Germany, I directly contacted several research institutions where my subject was done, explaining that I was looking for a position in Germany. I obtained several interviews and got a couple of offers, I ended up taking the most convenient. Think about taking the initiative.

SS: What do you do in your everyday work life?

JPV: I am a researcher, I work in the field of applied mathematics to biology. Therefore, I read papers, I write papers, I teach, I supervise students, I meet with colleagues regarding research projects, I write research proposals, I review papers, I give talks in conferences or in seminars. I love my job.

SS: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

JPV: To find out new things, to discover things, to know that I was part of a contribution to new knowledge.

SS: What challenges do you encounter in science?

JPV: Lack of long term job perspective and competitiveness. Unfortunately, Germany still has a long way to go to ensure permanent positions for scientists. Also, there are several ways in which scientists are rated/evaluated. Some of them do not make much sense. We have to comply anyway.

SS: What are your most promising findings in the field?

JPV: I believe that mathematics will be part of the solution to key challenges in developing more successful therapies, from preventing antibiotic resistance to personalized cancer treatments.

SS: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox science?

JPV: I am passionate about improving the participating of women in STEM, apart from that, I am a mother of two girls, as a woman in STEM I know how underrepresented we are and I know that part of the solution is role models. If you see someone who you can identify with, it is likely you want to consider doing something she does. On another level, I believe that bringing science to the public is a pivotal task for every scientist.

SS: Do you have a few words to inspire other female scientists? What can we do to attract more women to STEM fields?

JPV: I did not notice about any kind of gender imbalance or directly suffer discrimination because of my gender while I was a math student, including my PhD time. It was only after I completed my studies that I realized how unusual that was, I discovered that, unfortunately, discrimination and gender imbalance is very wide spread in STEM. I just happened to be lucky or perhaps too naïve and distracted regarding that. Therefore, I decided to do something active to help, it is likely that girls would face challenges during the STEM studies because of their gender, it is not very likely that girls would consider STEM as a career choice. I started participating in initiatives to improve this, for example I became part of the program “1000 girls 1000 futures” to help promoting STEM among high school female students.  Do the same if you can, find ways to help. Supervise female students, give talks, if you have a success story to tell, make yourself visible, it shows girls out there what is possible.  Encourage girls around you to think about STEM. And if you ever face gender discrimination, seek help from a female tutor, a female student advisor, a female professor, chances are they have faced something similar too and can help. Science is for all.

To attract more women to STEM, I believe role models are pivotal, get women in contact with female scientists at all levels, from school girls to last year undergraduates.  Teach science to girls, buy STEM-related toys for your daughters, talk to them about famous female scientists. Make STEM accessible.

Finally, I would quote the words of the first black woman in space:

“We look at science as something very elite, which only a few people can learn. That’s just not true. You just have to start early and give kids (girls) a foundation. (Girls) Kids live up, or down, to expectations.” -Mae Jemison

Joyce Harper (@ProfJoyceHarper) is Professor of Human Genetics and Embryology at University College London in the Institute for Women’s Health where she is head of the Reproductive Health Department, Principal Investigator of the Embryology, IVF and Reproductive Genetics Group, Director of Education and Director of the Centre for Reproductive Health.

She has worked on fertility and reproductive genetics for 30 years, originally working as a clinical embryologist and then working on preimplantation genetic testing.  She is currently working on the social, ethical and legal aspects of fertility treatment, concentrating on social egg freezing and reproductive genetics.  Joyce has published over 170 scientific papers and written two text books.

Joyce is passionate about public engagement to discuss all aspects of women’s health, including wellbeing.  She has established a public engagement group with regular posts and has just written a book covering women’s health from birth to death called ‘what every woman should know’.

In 2016 Joyce was one of the founders of the UK Fertility Education Initiative which aims to help people understand fertility, modern families and reproductive science.

You can catch Joyce on her soapbox at Soapbox Science London on 26th May where she will give a talk entitled: “Tick–tock of the biological clock – is egg freezing the answer?”

SS: How did you get to your current position?  

JH: After finishing my PhD, I wanted a break from academia and was looking through the jobs in New Scientist and found a job for a clinical embryologist.  I loved this job for 4 years, but I wanted to teach so I made use of my contacts to get a job at the Hammersmith Hospital and then University College London and I have been at UCL ever since.

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

JH: I was always wondering how life was made.  When I was 13, I went on a  school trip to a lab and realised that I wanted to do this job.  So I asked one of the women in the lab what I had to do to be a scientist and she said I had to get a PhD.  So that was that.  All decided.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?  

JH: Everything.  I am always learning.  My field is continuously changing which makes it very exciting. I get to travel the world talking at International Conferences and I have made many wonderful friends.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

JH: I am very passionate about teaching the public about science.  But also I want to encourage girls to take up science – it is a fantastic job.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day   

JH: Excitement.

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

JH: For people in my field to step back from the commercial aspects and do more basic science and R and D before they bring new technology into the clinic.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a PhD student considering pursuing a career in academia?  

JH: You need to be passionate about the topic.  It is not about being the most intelligent person, you have to be inquisitive.

Hi there! My name is Anastasia (@anastasialiferi) and I am a PhD candidate in forensic genetics currently working on my research project within the King’s Forensics group at King’s College London. I have studied biology and forensic science and my research at the moment focuses on finding a way to predict someone’s age from DNA material that can be found at a crime scene (like from a tiny blood spot!). I am also involved in similar projects on predicting someone’s country of origin and external appearance (like how curly their hair is!). The purpose of this research is to help the police with providing information that can lead them to the right person, especially when there are no suspects at all!

You can catch Anastasia on her soapbox as part of Soapbox Science London on 26th May where she will be giving a talk entitled: “Miss Scarlett, Mrs Peacock or Mrs White? Can DNA give us the answer without visiting all the rooms?”

SS: How did you get to your current position?

AA: A combination of hard work, timing and, well, luck! I have always been keen on acquiring new skills and during my bachelor’s degree I made sure to get as much experience as I could through volunteering and internships. I actually ended up spending 2 years in what was meant to be a 3 month internship and that quite challenging journey helped me grow both as a scientist and as a person. Walking into my master’s degree, in a slightly different field and in a totally different country and language, it was that experience that helped me get a great thesis project and, at the same time, it was luck that got me working with some pretty amazing people. I fell in love with the project and immediately ‘clicked’ with my supervisors to the point that I basically refused to leave them when my degree ended. As it turns out, the feelings were mutual and I was originally offered a temporary position to help me stay in the country and then a PhD when the funding allowed it (timing!).

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

AA: Is it too cheesy to say that science and I were star-crossed? If I have to trace it back, I would say it was all those amazing biology teachers I got to meet during my school years. I seriously don’t think I have ever met a biology teacher that was not passionate (to the point of what some might call ‘slightly mad’) about their teaching subject and I always thought that this is how working in a field you love should feel, deliriously exciting. It was one of those teachers that during my final year, and despite the extreme workload for the coming exams, insisted on signing me up for the National Biology Olympiad and I think that competition marked the point of no return for me and science. Three rounds of qualifying exams later I made it to the 4-person team that competed in the International Biology Olympiad in Japan and it was there that I got a glimpse of my future life in science. After that there was no turning back, my heart was set on science and research.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

AA: The question is what is NOT fascinating about it! Working on the development of new forensic tools that can predict someone’s age, home country or even appearance is like living inside a sci-fi movie and even though there is always the occasional overload of lab work and writing up, one good result makes it all worth it! I am also quite lucky in the fact that I am working in a laboratory that also handles police cases and I often get to be involved in some pretty interesting work with a direct impact on people’s lives (and of course getting to actually say ‘Sorry, I can’t talk about my work, it’s confidential’ is always a plus). Last but not least, travelling! I have always had a big big love for travelling and research conferences and collaborations regularly send me around the world (I actually spent three weeks in South Korea last summer!) where I get to meet the most interesting people that get my mind working on new ideas!

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

AA: I like talking. A lot. And fast. OK, although that is actually true, the real reason behind my participation is the chance to stand up, in all my 5’3’’ glory, as a woman and a scientist and share my research with the world (or, well, South Bank, but it’s a start right?). There is a saying that goes ‘If you can’t explain something to a six-year-old, you really don’t understand it yourself’ and, if there is one saying I want to live by as a scientist, it’s this one. Soapbox Science is my chance to try and explain what I am working on to anyone who would listen and – who knows? – maybe some actual six-year-olds! Plus, I get to do this besides some great, inspiring women who feel the same way, and that on its own is just amazing.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day 

AA: Is ‘scarexcited’ a word?

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

AA: Can I change two? Inequality and funding! If I could swish my magic wand like Hermione, I would make science (or the whole world actually, I mean I have a wand now why think small) free of any superstition/ bias/ discrimination. I would make sure anyone could be heard, taken seriously and given equal chances and support no matter how they look or sound or where they come from. Even though I have been lucky so far to work with great people, it makes me sad and angry to see how unjust things can often be for so many others. Also, unlimited funding! (What? One can always dream!) In all seriousness though, the way research funding currently works creates a lot of issues for researchers especially in the early stages of their career. Scientists struggle to make plans for the future due to financial insecurity and as much as constantly moving across the world in the search of a new position can be exciting and rewarding, it can also cause a lot of uncertainty and anxiety and it often drives researchers with great potential away from academia.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a PhD student considering pursuing a career in academia?

AA: Well, I am still a PhD student considering a career in academia so I can only give my utterly un-tested opinion on that topic! Expand your knowledge and be true. You can be great at what you do and know everything there is about your project, but I think that you always have to keep an open mind and push your limits. Take a training course on a new technique that has no actual application (yet?) to your current project, chat with different people about their work and look at your research through their eyes, try to find the connections in this big science puzzle that we are all part of and, most importantly, step out of your comfort zone, you have no idea how many things you can do until you try. Finally, remember who you are and what you stand for and always be fair and respectful. In other words, do right, do your best and treat others the way you want to be treated.

Chanuki Illushka Seresinhe (@thoughtsymmetry) is a doctoral researcher at the Data Science Lab, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick and the Alan Turing Institute. Chanuki’s research entails using big online datasets and deep learning to understand how beautiful environments affect human wellbeing. Her research has been featured in the press worldwide including the Economist, Wired, The Times, BBC, Spiegel Online, Guardian, Telegraph and Scientific American. Before returning to university, Chanuki had a diverse career that included running her own digital design consultancy for over eight years in London.

You can catch Chanuki on her soapbox on the Southbank as part of Soapbox Science London on 26th May, giving a talk entitled: “Beauty isn’t only in the eye of the beholder – computers can decode beauty too!”

SS: How did you get to your current position?

CS: It has been quite a journey! I was working for quite some time in digital design running my own consultancy. And, at some point, the work started to get a bit boring as the web started to get really “samey” in terms of interface design. I was eager to find something else that would be intellectually stimulating again. So, I decided to go back to university and study economics, including Behavioural and Economic Science (see reason why below). I then met my PhD supervisors to-be, Dr Tobias Preis and Dr Suzy Moat, when I was looking for an interesting project to do for my Masters dissertation. Through them, I learned about this new PhD programme about using big online data sets to understand human behaviour. And, I thought, how perfect, what a brilliant way to combine all my past experience working in the digital world with this new world of data. I am just in the last few months now finishing up my PhD in Data Science, at the Data Science Lab at the Warwick Business School. In the meantime, I also got this fantastic opportunity to be based at the Alan Turing Institute – the national institute for data science and AI. I started out on the Turing Enrichment year programme, where students spend one year of their PhD at the Turing Institute, but got involved with so many activities at the Turing (its is such an amazing place to be) that I was offered the opportunity to continue my stay there.

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

CS: It is purely my deep interest in the subject that has driven me to pursue a career in science. When I was first at university in the late 1990s, I was often discouraged from taking a path that would lead to a scientific career by my professors, who told me that I would find it “too boring” or “too competitive”, so when I recently returned to university to restart my career, I was determined to pursue my passion. Fortunately the landscape for women entering scientific disciplines today is much better than it was even a few decades ago.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

CS: It has been really great to be able to conduct research on a topic that most people can relate to – the connection between beautiful places and our wellbeing. So, not only is the subject fascinating in itself, what I really love is being able to engage with so many different people about it and finding about how I might be able to relate my research to more practical aspects that can touch our everyday lives such as urban design.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

CS: I work in data science and AI and there is still a dearth of women as well as people from different backgrounds/ethnicities working in this field. AI is increasingly affecting all our lives, and it is imperative that we encourage more diversity, as we shouldn’t be driving decision making in this area by only a select part of the population. This will inevitably, and has already, lead to biases that can be harmful. A more diverse set of data science and AI researchers might pick up on these biases quicker and find ways to mitigate them.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day 

CS: Excitement!

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

CS: It still does not feel like a very collaborative atmosphere. I can see this is slowly changing but it would be great to see if the incentives in the system can change to encourage people to collaborate rather than compete. I believe we are more likely to find solutions to pressing problems in our society through collaboration rather than keeping our ideas secret from each other. For example, there is no incentive to publish null research findings, leading to biases in the literature as well as multiple researchers potentially wasting time on hypothesis that don’t go anywhere, with no indication whether anyone else has previously attempted the research.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a PhD student considering pursuing a career in academia?

CS: Make sure you find a subject you are really passionate about researching. The time it takes to complete a PhD can feel very long and there will inevitably be many setbacks. So having a topic that you are passionate about can really help drive you! Also, try to get to know your supervisors in advance. Find out what they are like to work with. I have heard some horror stories so you definitely want to make sure you are comfortable with who you are about to work with for a very long time!

Kate Schoenrock (@katesrock) is originally from California, and decided to become a marine botanist after a long internship working with marine mammals. After cleaning up poop for years, she found that the intricate adaptations  of marine algae (honestly all the different ways they have sex) sparked her imagination and investigation into species ecology and evolution! These seaweeds have brought her around the world, from Antarctica to Greenland, and now Ireland. Best part of the job? Wearing a wetsuit (or drysuit) to work. (Photo credit: Alex Ingle)

You can catch Kate on her soapbox as part of Soapbox Science Galway on 7th July, where she will give a talk entitled: Kelp me! What does kelp do for its community?

We need to talk about… kelp. 

By Kate Schoenrock

Irish Seaweed. I am an ‘invasive’ in Ireland, somehow finding my way back across the Atlantic to a place so many Americans call the homeland. My move was driven by a different personal connection though: seaweeds! Ireland’s coastlines are rich in seaweed species, and it is famous among phycologists (scientists who study marine botany) for its diversity and dedication to studying species identification and commercial uses (nutraceuticals). But researchers, naturally land-based, have studied what they find between the tides, leaving a hole in our understanding of seaweed in the sub-tidal.

Why kelp? Kelp are seaweeds within a specific taxonomic family called Laminariales, which form forests from the low intertidal to the shallow subtidal (< 60 m depth in most regions of the world). They are originally called ‘kelp’ because people used to burn seaweeds to make potash as a fertilizer for the land, and the most common species they would use would be the kelps that dominated the habitat. The subtidal kelps we find in Ireland are mostly dominated by Laminaria hyperborea (May Weed) and found all over Europe, from Norway in the north to Portugal in the south.

Kelp forest ecology. In our oceans, marine species have adapted complex strategies to surviving predation, finding food, and enduring harsh environments which drives them to utilize one or many habitat types during their lives. In Ireland kelp forests provide a home for many characters such as the common lobster and the Cod who come and go with the seasons. I study kelp forest habitats in the west of Ireland to unravel the unknown, intricate relationships between kelp forest and its aggregate trophic levels 1) to create a big picture of how kelps feed and house the marine community throughout the year and 2) determine how important kelp are to commercial species, and as a harvested species themselves.

Why does it matter? Worldwide kelp forests are threatened by warming oceans and marine heatwaves which are restricting the presence of these forests northward, as well as harvesting and overgrazing. When L. hyperborea forests are stressed, native kelps are replaced by invasive species such as Sargassum muticum (Wire weed), Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame), which we already see in harbors around Ireland and know change the ecology of the region. But we can only know what these changes are by investigating the natural productivity and diversity of kelp forests right now.

I use SCUBA diving to do the research in kelp forests, diving into the habitat to collect data that describes the natural history of the region throughout the year. There is nothing better than watching predation and behaviors of the kelp inhabitants throughout the year, like the spiney crabs who troll the drift algae starting in spring and the diving lions mane that scrapes the kelp canopy from May-June. Of course summer research is always more pleasant than winter, but these dynamic environments always have something to offer.

Kyra De Coninck (@KyraDeConinck) is a Lecturer at the University of Kent. She will be taking part in Soapbox Science Canterbury 2018 on 23rd June, giving a talk entitled “Getting under your skin: the secret life of fascia”

SS:How did you get to your current position?

KDC: My name is Kyra De Coninck, I’m originally from Belgium, and have lived in the UK since 1986. I came to academia later in life, and not via the usual route. I studied Social Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Sussex.  I then took a break from academia, started a small publishing press and music record label, worked as a translator and interpreter, and worked in Eastern Europe for the Prince’s Trust.  I also ran my own sports massage practice, and taught massage courses to wide range of professionals ranging from physiotherapists and osteopaths to midwives and prison wardens! I was then invited to teach sports massage as part of a degree in sport therapy, and after a couple of years became a full-time member of staff at the University of Kent. I now teach a range of modules ranging from a beginners’ sports massage course to a module on advanced neuromuscular therapy.

 SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

KDC: I was not particularly interested in mathematics or science in school. My hands inspired me in the end. When I was a massage practitioner, I was fascinated how different  tissues felt right under skin. Particularly, areas such as the lower back, could feel either spongy, rigid or swollen. How could this be in an area with literally just skin over bone? This lead me onto the road of research into the structure and function of fascia, a little known  body-wide network of connective tissue.  I have always been inspired by women who ask questions, who are not afraid to ask difficult or awkward questions. My heroine in my subject area is Professor Helene Langevin at Harvard University, she investigates the behaviour of cancer cells in connective tissues.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

KDC: People! I work with many different kinds of people, experts in pain physiology, biomechanics, or muscle function to name but a few. I also teach many different kinds of students, as my work involves teaching hands-on skills, I get to know my students well during the years they are with us. Seeing students grow, change and develop confidence makes my job worth doing.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

KDC: I bumped into a Soapbox speaker on the South Bank in London and was really amazed by her research on soil quality. I loved how she turned a very technical subject area into a fascinating, perplexing and relevant topic. I started following other Soapbox speakers on Twitter. So when I was invited to join the Canterbury Soapbox speakers, I jumped at the chance. I’m very keen on communicating my research to a whole range of people, beyond the academic conferences.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

KDC: Nervocited.

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

KDC: I would like scientists to be braver, to look beyond the boundaries of one’s discipline and be curious about other ‘tribes’.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

KDC: Spend time finding a good supervisor, don’t sweat the small stuff, and never ever ever give up.

Dr Kathryn H. Harriss (@KentImpactGroup), is a Research Associate at the School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent.

You can catch Kathryn on a soapbox on 23rd June as part of Soapbox Science Canterbury 2018, giving a talk entitled: “Planetary Science with a Big Gun!​”

SS: how did you get to your current position?

KH: I am currently half way through my second PDRA position at the University of Kent. Upon finishing my PhD at the Open University, a job opportunity opened up of the University of Kent in a similar but not the same field. I knew the PI and spoke to them about the position while at networking events. I then applied and was successful and the position was extended for another 3 years and we have recently submitted for another extension of the position.

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

KH: My father and mother are both scientists and science was always my favoured subject at school. I studied geology at university level when I discovered it covered all aspects of geography that I enjoyed. I knew I would be a scientist merely because I enjoyed it and wanted to continue asking, questing and discovering the solar system around me.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

KH: My research allows for a great deal of variety, fundamentally the work focuses on shock mechanics and fracturing which are all of great interest to me from my background in geology, but it can be used in investigate various aspects of planetary sciences, from shock features in silicate materials to astrobiology and the survivability of different simple organisms. Also I get to fire a very large gun most days.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

KH: I enjoy talking to the public about my research and planetary and Earth sciences and have done so in many different ways, Soapbox Science offers a new challenge and exciting way to discuss and inform the public about my research and aspects of planetary sciences.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

KH: Fun

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

KH: There is an idea that more is better, that more papers, especially first-author papers, mean a better scientist when the culture should be pushing for better quality collaborative research, allowing those in similar fields to work together to get the best data rather than competing for REF, funding and esteem.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

KH: Learn everything, take every opportunity to network and improve your skills. Finding a job at the right time (end of your current position) is down to luck, but you need to have the skills ready behind you to grab those opportunities when they come. Life in academia is hard and most fall before reaching the fabled permanent position but be prepared, network, and grab every opportunity.