I am currently a PhD candidate in the School of Chemical Sciences at Dublin City University. Before arriving in Dublin, I completed a B.Sc. in Geography at York University in Toronto, Canada. There, I became fascinated with the soil and water systems and environmental research that spurred me to join the Remediate project. In 2014, I was lucky to have the opportunity to spend ten weeks in the Canadian subarctic. Apart from confirming my love of fieldwork, beluga whales, and the aurora, this trip formed the basis of my thesis which investigated how changing wind patterns associated with climate change might affect the availability of nutrients to pond life in the ecologically sensitive north. Other recent work has included analysis of glacial deposits in southern Ontario, and investigation of soil samples from Mont Viso to understand soil development processes, and the archaeological significance of the area. As a certified nerd, I also hold B.A. in Classics and the History of Science and Technology from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Canada.

Since I’ve arrived in Dublin, I’ve been working on understanding how to optimize composting-based bioremediation strategies for degrading a class of compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. When I’m not in the lab, I’m usually exploring my new city, trying not to get hit by cars driving on the wrong side of the road, testing out the limits of my new raincoat, and planning my next trip to “somewhere in Europe”. It still amazes me how close everything is here!