Fourth-year PhD student Molly completed her master’s in Oceanography with French before starting her doctorate. She explains how her experiences at Southampton have enabled her to learn and do much more than she had ever imagined.
I’ve always been interested in ocean acidification, and continuing with a PhD at Southampton has allowed me to research ocean carbon biogeochemistry, while gaining new skills in autonomous sensors and engineering.
For my PhD, I’m developing a sensor to measure alkalinity – not the opposite of acidity! An alkalinity measurement tells us how well the ocean can resist ocean acidification, which happens when the oceans absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. We rely on the oceans more than you might think to tackle climate change: around a third of the carbon dioxide we emit is absorbed by the oceans, and this can have harmful effects on marine ecosystems.
My aim is to help improve our understanding of areas that have low alkalinity and are vulnerable to this acidification phenomenon. This will help us protect our marine ecosystems more effectively. The sensor I’m building is faster, and can measure over wider alkalinity ranges, than currently available sensors.
A clear vision
My master’s degree at Southampton was a great foundation for my PhD work. As well as the oceanography knowledge I gained, I was able to set up experiments at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and collaborate with the researchers there. This gave me a strong network and a great insight into how ocean research is done, which set me in good stead to embark on my own original research.
Throughout my PhD, I’ve had a clear vision for the product I am creating. I have essentially created a sensor that my future self could use to help monitor the health of the oceans! My sensor’s data will help us identify which ecosystems are naturally resilient against acidification and which might need further support.
Diving between disciplines to create change
Throughout my master’s, and now my PhD, something that has really stood out to me is how we are all encouraged to come together, with our own experiences and perspectives, to solve the most complex issues.
The research culture in the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) encourages sharing knowledge between subject areas, and being able to work at the interface between oceanography and engineering has enabled me to see what a future career in research or academia could be like.
I feel so lucky to have had access to some of the most advanced research and facilities in the world, highly knowledgeable colleagues, and an incredibly supportive postgraduate community.
Molly, fourth-year PhD student
Sailing the seas for science
A real highlight of my PhD was taking my sensor onto the tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl to measure alkalinity in the surface waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
As well as the very competitive application process, the expedition was the most challenging thing I did during my PhD. This involved sending my sensor and equipment to Norway, working out what modern science I could achieve on 111-year-old ship, and ensuring I could do my science around my eight-hour sailing shifts each day!
The experience taught me so much and further developed my interdisciplinary skills as I worked with the engineers and other scientists on board. This was part of the Ocean Training Course, funded by the European Space Agency as part of the One Ocean Expedition.
The confidence to try
Everything I’ve done in my PhD gave me the opportunity to learn something new about myself. My supervisors have always been supportive of my journey: both in and outside the lab, they are there for me on a professional and personal level.
I’ve presented my research at conferences, which has increased my self-confidence and resilience. While helping with teaching on undergraduate modules, I loved sharing my interests with students who are just as passionate about ocean science. As a committee member for the NOC Postgraduate Society, I have had a taste of leading and managing events. I could never have imagined how much I would learn and do on this PhD – it’s given me an attitude of “How hard can it be?” that I’ve applied outside of work too.
I’ve developed so many new skills: from data analysis, computer-aided design and manufacturing parts for my sensor, to the confidence to communicate well between teams and to try new protocols and equipment.
I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve gained from my time at Southampton: the confidence to try something and know that I’ll be supported if it fails.
Molly, fourth-year PhD student
My time at Southampton has given me an amazing foundation of research, and network of people, at the start of my career. I’m excited to see where in the world it takes me next.