Siobhán Foden
- Please introduce yourself.
My name is Siobhán Foden, I am the biogeochemistry lab technician at BAS working with the Ecosystems and Polar Oceans teams.
- Tell us about your professional and academic career before becoming part of the BIOPOLE Community.
I studied my undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Nottingham and during my final year, I came across some reading material on polar sciences in the university library. I went on to study a masters in oceanography at the University of Southampton, focusing my research on biogeochemistry, specifically on the factors influencing organic carbon storage in glacially influenced marine sediment. Before joining BAS, I worked in a nuclear services consultancy gaining experience in nuclear waste characterisation and land remediation.
- What do you do within BIOPOLE?
As part of BIOPOLE, I support the technical lab work associated with the project. I am involved in the fieldwork preparation, instrument maintenance, and processing and analysis of biogeochemical samples collected during the cruises. I am also taking part in fieldwork onboard the SDA. I will support the winter biogeochemical sampling activities, by collecting underway water samples, complementing data collected earlier in the spring/summer season. These samples will be analysed for organic particulate matter and inorganic nutrients, which will aid our understanding of the relationships connecting phyto- and zooplankton communities with nutrient dynamics, and oceanography.
- What have you enjoyed about BIOPOLE so far?
It has been an amazing opportunity to be involved in a multidisciplinary research community, collaborating with scientists on such an exciting project. I love working in the lab and having such a variety of samples to work on means I’m continuously expanding my skillset.
- Tell us about a skill or trait unique to you that you would like to share?
In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, playing sport and staying active. Although living in a city has its advantages, I feel most relaxed in nature. My favourite environment is being in the mountains or by the coast.