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Curriculum VitaeEducational HistoryMy undergraduate study was taken at the University of Leicester, where I gained a First class MGeol Geophysics (Geological) degree. The degree contained many aspects of geology as well as geophysics, as shown in this module list. Both of these disciplines were taught in the field as well as in lectures. A large constituent of the final year was an individual research project. My project was based on gravity modelling of the North Atlantic volcanic margin. I was awarded both the Shell and the BP Fourth Year Geophysics prizes for best geophysical project. For part of my third year, I undertook a critical literature review dissertation looking into measuring permeability by geophysical methods. Before attending university, I gained five A-levels and eleven GSCEs at Horsforth School, Leeds. Research InterestsOutside of my PhD project, I am interested in the application of shallow geophysical techniques to both environmental and engineering problems. I am particularly interested in the concept of relating the electrical characteristics of a rock to its petrophysical properties. I am a strong believer in the integration of geophysical data with other available data (geological, DTM, archive records) in order to obtain a better picture of the survey area. Geophysics ExperienceSurvey managementDuring the course of my PhD, Lancaster University and the BGS’ Electrical Tomography Programme won a joint tender to participate in a research project funded by the Coal Authority. The aim of the project was to determine the suitability of different geophysical methods to detect abandoned mineshafts. Lancaster provided cross-borehole induced polarisation tomography at three different sites for three different stages of the project. I was responsible for all aspects of the field survey. Once I was given the location and site-plan I had to arrange access, plan the survey strategy, organise any additional personnel I needed, organise equipment and transport, and collect the data. I was required to pass-on the quality-controlled data in a consistent and easily accessible structure that was inversion-ready. Geophysical instrumentsI have previously used the following common geophysical instruments:
Field ExperienceIndividual mappingI spent a total of six weeks over two summers on the Isle of Kerrera, off Oban. During this time I mapped about 6 km2 of the island's geology. The Isle of Kerrera is situated in the Firth of Lorn, by Oban in Argyll, Southwest Scotland. It is a small island, only four miles long by two miles wide. It's geology is divided into length-wise swaths of fault bounded rock. The main rock types encountered on the island were ORS alluvial conglomerates and sandstones, Tertiary plateau lavas, Lewisian metapelite basement and tertiary dykes. The Tertiary igneous activity can be related to the island being adjacent to Mull. A copy of the field description of these rocks, and their interpretation can be found here. Field crewI spent a week in Derbyshire as a member of the field crew for a research student's project. This involved mapping out field boundaries and grids with a DGPS system, running TEM surveys and undertaking sample seismic refraction lines. The aim of the project is to determine the viability of detecting baryte replacement mineralisation, in the form of a Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) deposit, amongst limestone. Party chiefTwo weeks were spent in Ruidera, Spain researching the properties of the natural tufa barrages. Las Lagunas des Ruidera is a Spanish national park, situated to the southeast of Madrid. It consists of a series of stepped lakes, at the bottom of dolomite valleys. The aim of the survey was to characterise the tufa barrages. These are natural barriers which grow inwards from the sides of the lake until they become a natural dam. I was involved from the permissioning and helped to carry out the day to day planning on the basis of the quality of data we had collected the day before. The techniques used were surface GPR (pulseEKKO 100 system), and both resistivity depth soundings and 2D imaging (using the ABEM Lund system). Geophysical surveyingI spent two weeks at Sourton Tor, Dartmoor. This is a large, known, anomaly. This course was a hands-on introduction to many different geophysical techniques. These included SP, seismic refraction, EM techniques (using the Apex Parametrics MaxMin and the Geonics EM31), the pulseEKKO 100 surface GPR sytem and standard four-electrode resistivity depth-sounding techniques. Physical volcanologyThis course took me to Tenerife. It concentrated on the volcanic deposits, their mode of origin and their use in the interpretation of the eruption history. Professional affiliations
Professional qualificationsTransferable skillsPublic relationsWorking in a thriving city-centre bar, I regularly came into contact with customers and learnt to listen to and respect their views and ideas. My job taught me the necessity for patience and manners when dealing with the public. I was also the Geophysics representative during staff/fourth year meetings. TeamworkDuring my undergraduate degree I undertook several group projects. In the classroom this included group presentations and group processing of seismic data. In the field I have often been part of a field crew and also acted as a party chief whilst on a fieldtrip to Spain. From these experiences I have learned that if everyone did their own thing then the project did not run efficiently and the standard of work diminished. Consequently I have learned the importance of co-operation and communication for a team to work together to the best of their abilities. I am a strong team player and am experienced in leading a team should the opportunity arise. Information technologyThrough my degree course I have become proficient with PCs. I am at ease with the Windows operating systems, the majority of the MS Office packages, as well as the internet and e-mails. I can code in both valid HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.0, using valid CSS 2.0 stylesheets. During my time as Web Editor for the Lancaster University Mountaineering Club I taught myself the basics of search engine optimisation (SEO). Utilising these principles whilst maintaing the LUMC website, I managed to achieve the top Google return for a search of First AidI have sucessfully completed the HSE's First Aid at Work certificate, which complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981. This is a four day course with both a written and practical assessment. The certificate is valid November 2008. InterestsSport and fitnessI have started rock climbing again, taking up a childhood interest, and have joined the University climbing club. I am a member at the University fitness centre where I train regularly. I also enjoy swimming and walking. MusicDue to playing the violin, viola, double bass and electric bass guitar I have a good understanding of music and I have learned to appreciate all types of music. Playing this many instruments has taught me about the need for commitment and practice needed to make progress in anything I do. I enjoy all sides of music including performance and listening, I particularly enjoy live concerts. I performed in many concerts, both in the UK and Tuscany, during my time with the City of Leeds Youth Symphony Orchestra and my high school Anklung group. This experience of performing in public has increased my self-confidence and taught me the need of thorough preparation to achieve the standard expected. Work ExperienceI currently work as a part-time field technician with the Soil Science group within the department. During my PhD I have carried out several surveys for the Coal Authority. I have also held various non-degree related part-time jobs since the age of 14. A list of these jobs is available here. |