The Environmental Scientists’ Tool Kit

The The EnvironmentalEnvironmental Scientists’ Scientists’

Tool KitTool Kit

http://http://short.rmu.edushort.rmu.edu

short@rmu.edshort@rmu.eduu

Tuesday July 3Tuesday July 3rdrd at 1:15 pmat 1:15 pm

My brief CV

1991-1994: BSc Student. Awarded BSc (Leeds, UK) 1994-1995: MSc Student. Awarded MSc (Edinburgh, UK) 1995-1999: PhD student. Awarded PhD (Liverpool, UK)

2000-2002: Assistant Prof. Natural Sciences 2002-Present: Assistant Prof. Environmental Sciences

1 (of 5). 1 (of 5). Scientia potentia estScientia potentia est

1 (of 5). 1 (of 5). Scientia potentia estScientia potentia est

1 (of 5). 1 (of 5). Scientia potentia estScientia potentia est

1 (of 5). 1 (of 5). Scientia potentia estScientia potentia est

> 100 movies> 0.1 terabytes

Qualifications: a direct result of knowledge seeking

If you have an opportunity to obtain an extra qualification – go for it!

Mentors

• Whilst seeking knowledge you will come across potential mentors

• Some of my best mentors have come from networking• Networking – to be noticed you need a presence

2 (of 5). Comm Skills

• enthusiastic, compelling speaker

• competent report writer

• produce works that are visually stimulating

LEFT-TO-RIGHT: Prehistoric humans – you and me (average American) – lead poisoned human

2 (of 5). Comm Skills

3 (of 5). Math Skills

As literature and history use English, As literature and history use English, science uses mathematicsscience uses mathematics

√-1 23 Σ π

V2

V1

ρwaterρice

Vice = V1 + V2 ρsea water = 1026 kg/m3

After melting:

W ↓= mmelt g = Vmelt ρwater g

W↑ = msea water g = V2 ρsea water g

Balance forces:

Vmelt ρwater g = V2 ρsea water g

Vmelt = V2 [ρsea water g / (ρwater g)]

∴ Vmelt = V2(1026/1000) = 1.026 V2

4 (of 5). Research Skills

• Research skills – planning, honing, developing

• Technology has replaced older techniques:

e.g. accessing papers, sampling, sample prep, analysis, record keeping

Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade

• Sensors – can you take these handheld pieces of equipment and give them data-logging and reporting capability?

• Available environmental sensors for pollutants are based on industrial electrochemical sensors - not sensitive enough for all ES projects…yet

• Need for calibration at low levels

5 (of 5). Human Skills

• 5. Human skills – patience, perseverance, empathy etc.

– If something doesn’t work out, try again

– Knowledge is Power – but so are imagination and ideas – outside the box

– Fit in and be a sheep or step out as an original thinker

– Be open to opportunities – there are many causes to be passionate about: fluoridation, climate change, fracking, etc.

Thinking Outside the Box

Thinking Outside the Box

• MC

Thinking Outside the Box

• Thermal photos

http://http://short.rmu.edushort.rmu.edu

short@rmu.edshort@rmu.eduu

Illegitimi non carborundum

SiC

Recap: Scientists Tool-Kit

1. Scientia potentia est2. Comm skills3. Math skills4. Research skills5. Human skills*. Illegitimi non carborundum

Questions ?Thank you for sharing your time with me today :o)

http://http://short.rmu.edushort.rmu.edu

short@rmu.edshort@rmu.eduu

Nothing is so fatal to the progress of the human mind as to suppose that our views of science are ultimate; that there are no mysteries in nature; that our triumphs are complete, and that there are no new worlds to conquer.

- Humphry Davey