Spent Fuel Specialist, National Nuclear Laboratory
Summary of D.Phil/MSc research
I recreated ancient Martian lakes in the laboratory to understand how carbonates may have once captured the planet's atmosphere, burying carbon dioxide underground and contributing to Mars' frozen, arid climate of today.
Current Research/employment
In the final months of my D.Phil, I joined NNL as a technical specialist in the discipline of understanding how to dispose of nuclear waste. My day-to-day job involves running exciting experiments on how materials behave under simulated disposal conditions, as well as everyday learning on nuclear history, current technology, and upcoming innovations. While I loved studying the surface of Mars, there is something deeply satisfying about contributing to solving a worldwide challenge for humanity, one that makes clean energy sources safer for future generations.
Was your D.Phil relevant to what you are doing now?
Yes: the formation of minerals under wet, oxygen-free conditions is as relevant to Martian geology as it is to the disposal of nuclear waste underground.
