Profile

Photo:

Kirsi K

    • About Me:

      I am a researcher in Environmental Sciences, my work is focused on understanding permafrost (=frozen ground) in the Arctic.

      I like being outdoors, climbing, and reading books.

    • Read more

      I have always liked spending time outdoors whether just walking, hiking somewhere remote, cycling, cross country skiing, snowboarding, swimming in lakes/rivers/seas or just having a cup of tea somewhere quiet surrounded by nature.

    • My pronouns are:

      She/her

    • My Work:

      My research is focused on understanding permafrost (=frozen ground) in the Arctic and how its thaw affects our climate, waterways (like rivers), and the Arctic Ocean.

    • Read more

      I work particularly with greenhouse gas emissions from permafrost and focus on the degradation of organic matter (which means remains of plants and other organisms). Some of the organic matter might have been frozen in the Arctic soils since the last ice age! When permafrost thaws, microbes start to degrade this organic matter and that can add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

      I analyse samples (usually water or sediment or soil) for different parameters such as how much organic carbon they have as this carbon can be turned into greenhouse gases and emitted in the atmosphere. I also use different isotopes which are like fingerprints for different materials, they can tell us how old (the organic carbon in) the soil or sediment is or where it came from (whether from land or sea).

       

       

    CV

    • Education:

      I went to school in Finland.

    • Qualifications:

      BSc in Biology, MSc in Environmental Sciences, PhD/Doctorate in Earth Sciences

    • Work History:

      During my MSc studies, I worked as a laboratory assistant helping to prepare sediment samples for different types of analyses. During the summer breaks, I worked as a research/field assistant at a university that meant a lot of camping in remote areas in the north of Sweden. It was such a great job as it allowed me to spend so much time outdoors! I have also worked in an Environmental Agency.

    • Current Job:

      I work as a Research Scientist or sometimes I call myself a permafrost (=permanently frozen ground) scientist as all my work is focused on understanding permafrost thaw and how that affects our climate.

    • Employer:

      Northumbria University

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        outdoorsy arctic scientist

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I didn't really know.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Perhaps Science Communication

        What's your favourite food?

        Tough one, there are just too many good options to choose from. Pizza, curries, lasagne, stir-fries..and I like spicy food!

What’s happening in your zone!

  • No items to show