Overview

I graduated from the University of Southampton with an MSci in Geology. During this degree, I gained an interest in abrupt climate events, particularly how ecosystems responded to these rapid changes. This led to my research project focusing on the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction, where I used microfossils and geochemistry to study the climatic and biotic changes and date a nearby fossil-bearing fissure deposit.

For my PhD, I am now studying abrupt climate changes during the Quaternary. To determine the climate and vegetation responses to these abrupt warming and cooling events, I will study the pollen, dinoflagellates, charcoal and geochemistry of several South American marine cores. I am focusing on Heinrich Stadial 1, the Bølling/Allerød warming, Younger Dryas and Preboreal Warming. Alongside labwork, I have undertaken a field expedition to Colombia, where I collected samples from lake and peat deposits in lowland rainforests, dry forests and Andean montane forests.

Broad research specialisms:

Abrupt climate events, micropalaeontology, geochemistry.

Qualifications

MSci Geology 2018, University of Southampton, 1st Class