Collection of sediment cores from naturally vegetated ponds near Ellington, Northumberland

Name:

Peter J. Gilbert

Occupation:

PhD Student

Title of Master’s program:

Environmental Biogeochemistry

Year of completion:

2011

Dissertation title and supervisor name:

 The Potential Role of Small Agricultural Ponds in the Global Carbon Cycle – Martin Cooke

1) The Twitter challenge: What are you doing now in 140 characters

Carbon cycling in ponds: Micro (sediment biogeochem.) meso (whole pond analysis) macro (regional mapping) super macro (large scale extrapolations)

2) How did the MSc help you get this job (e.g. skills etc)?

My current research stems directly from my MSc dissertation.  Originally designed as an exploratory piece of research, strong results led to successful funding applications and the continuation of my research.  The skills I learnt throughout the MSc course have ultimately given me a fantastic basing for continuing my research.

3) What did you enjoy most about your masters?

The strong microbiology modules, something I had never studied before.

4) What was the most challenging aspect of the masters?

Realising I had forgotten almost all chemistry since school, and subsequently having to teach myself the basics again.

5) Words of wisdom to future Newcastle University students

Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it is out of your depths and means a lot of hard work.

To find out more about quantifying aquatic carbon flux check out Peter’s blog at http://a-c-f-g.blogspot.co.uk/