Becky - profile
Role: Fourth year PhD student, Dyson School of Design Engineering/Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London
Subject area: Developing and accessing acoustic recorders to monitor at-risk ecosystems
Nationality: British
Hello! I'm a final-year PhD student at Imperial College London. I work in both the Design Engineering and Life Sciences departments. My PhD focuses on developing and accessing acoustic recorders, which we use to monitor at-risk ecosystems. This project has sent me on research expeditions to the rainforest in Malaysian Borneo and Temperate Forest in London. When I'm not working on my thesis, I like to get out hiking and birdwatching, watching live music or skateboarding.
Interview with Becky
Hear from Becky, who is developing and accessing acoustic recorders to monitor at-risk ecosystems
Education
GCSE (or equivalent): Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Applied Business, Geography, Drama, German, English Language, English Literature
A-Level (or equivalent): Biology, Maths, Physics. AS Levels in Chemistry, Science in Society
Degrees:
• Natural Sciences with Integrated Masters, Exeter University
• PhD Design Engineering (on-going), Imperial College London
Detail about Becky
My research
My research involves building and testing acoustic recorders, which are used to study some of the world's most endangered ecosystems. These devices allow us to enrich our understanding of how these whole systems operate. With that knowledge, we can work out how best to protect them.
My inspiration
As an early researcher, I wanted to study life on other planets. After a few years of learning more about what was happening on this planet, I decided to switch focus to saving what we had here first.
Who is your STEM hero?
Steve Irwin, Australian zookeeper, zoologist, conservationist, TV personality, wildlife expert and environmentalist. He was most famous for his sense of humour and the awe and infatuation he had for some of the planet's most deadly animals. He inspired a generation (including me) to get excited about wildlife including those that were not cute and fluffy!
Most significant discovery/invention?
The book, Silent Spring, by marine biologist Rachel Carson. The book explored how pesticides were poisoning the environment and the impact of human ignorance on the natural world. Met with massive opposition from chemical companies, it brought environmentalism to mainstream attention and led to the ban of a lot of harmful pesticides.
Career options after study
- Continue researching at a university
- Research and development in an eco-tech company
- Environmental consultation
- Data Scientist (any industry!)
My hobbies
Skateboarding, painting, hiking, birdwatching, live music, indie theatre and looking after my Axolotls!
Becky talks about her research
Becky talks about developing and accessing acoustic recorders, which are used to monitor at-risk ecosystems.
