Andrew Macumber is always looking for an excuse to travel to far off lands. Recently returned from locales such as India, the UK and North Ireland; he looks forward to his next journey to the frozen continent of Antarctica. His own PhD work takes him to the Arctic where he reconstructs the past climate of the southern Northwest Territories, he is excited about being in the company of many world class climate researchers, picking their brains, and collaborating on their research projects. This trip holds great promise for him, and should really give him a leg up on achieving his academic goals.
Travis Mitchell is interested in the natural world and how it works. Over the past three years, his undergraduate and graduate work has brought him to places such as Europe and the Arctic multiple times. His Master’s thesis investigates the depositional history of the world famous 5 million year old Beaver Pond Site on Ellesmere Island. His work uses a variety of approaches to reveal the secrets this site has to offer. After the invaluable research experiences offered on Ellesmere Island and in the Yukon, Travis cannot wait to explore the scientific highlights the Antarctic has to offer.
Adam Pugh is a graduate student at Carleton University, pursuing studies in sedimentology, biostratigraphy and petroleum geology. Having spent several weeks in Canada’s High Arctic on Ellef Ringnes Island during the summer of 2010, Adam spent time conducting field research for his M.Sc. under the supervision of Dr. Claudia Schröder-Adams. With an interest in the poles that has been engrained since youth, complemented with many winter outings, enjoying ice climbing, and winter camping, Adam looks forward to experiencing what Antarctica has to offer. Other interests of his include scientific history, music and film-photography.
Thomas Cullen is a M.Sc student whose thesis research relates to understanding the evolution of swimming behaviour in pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses), with particular interest in the transitional arctic fossil Puijila darwini. His long term research interests are to gain an understanding of evolutionary transitions in fossil vertebrates and the effects of the environment on vertebrate evolution. He feels most at home when in the field, whether working on dinosaurs in the badlands of Alberta or studying palaeoecology in the Canadian High Arctic. This voyage will provide him with a rare glimpse into the environment of the Antarctic, its natural history, and its similarities and differences to the Arctic.
Jeremy Powell is a 4th year undergraduate student in Earth Sciences at Carleton University. Studying Earth Sciences has allowed him to combine a natural affinity for the outdoors with his interests in geology, biology and geography. He is finishing the final year of his undergraduate studies this spring, and is excited about the voyage because it will provide him with an opportunity to study aspects of geology in a field environment that few students or professional ever have the chance to visit. Learning from the experts on the trip about the geological history and future of the Antarctic continent will be a truly invaluable experience.
Michel Desjardins is an undergrad student at Carleton University. His interest in Earth Science started when he dug up fossils from a local quarry as a child. He enjoys teaching people about nature, science and chemistry, specifically with hands on activities. This opportunity will allow him to expand his field skills and his knowledge of polar environmental science. As well, the history of exploration is interesting to him so it is an excellent opportunity to explore Antarctica, one of the last areas untouched by civilization. Michel is hoping to pursue a career in geochemistry and environmental science.
Logan Seaman is a third year neuroscience student and varsity athlete at Carleton. His interests focus mainly around neuroethology, animal behaviour, and ecology: understanding the anatomical basis of the way animals respond to different scenarios, and how this leads to complex interactions between species. He is extremely excited for the trip because it provides him with the opportunity to learn about the geological influences on these interactions and how they have been shaped over thousands of years. This trip will without a doubt give him invaluable field experience for his future scientific endeavours, and is sure to be an experience of a life time.