Dr Katharine Giles

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University College London, UK

After completing my A levels in Maths, Physics and Design & Technology I studied for a MSci. in Earth and Space Science at University College London (UCL). During my degree I studied the physics of the Earth, its oceans, atmosphere and climate together with space technology and astrophysics. This excited my interest in the use of satellites to study the Arctic environment and, after gaining a 1st in my degree, I researched a PhD in the Department of Space and Climate Physics.

My PhD involved comparing laser and radar measurements over Arctic sea ice and gave me the opportunity to visit NASA and ESA, the European Space Agency, and take part in fieldwork in the Arctic.

I am currently a post doctoral research fellow in the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM), UCL. My research involves using data from the ESA satellite, Envisat, to study sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and around Antarctica. As part of my work as a post doctoral research fellow I have lived on the sea ice in the Beaufort Sea for two weeks. However this trip, with the Australian Antarctic division, is my first trip to study the ice in the Southern Ocean. I am also interested in science communication and spent 3 months in 2006 presenting the Faraday Lecture to teenagers around the UK and in Asia. The lecture was all about climate change and alternative energy sources to hydrocarbons, an area of science and engineering I also find very interesting.

In my spare time I like to surf and climb (neither very well!), I am also a keen dancer and practice astanga yoga. I also enjoy music, travel and reading.

Read my blog. Watch my video interview.