Profile
Heather Ritchie
My CV
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Education:
Peterhead Academy 2001-2007, Aberdeen University: BSc (Hons.) Marine Biology 2007-2011, MRes (Comm.) Marine and Fisheries Ecology 2011-2012. Ph.D Biological Sciences 2012-Present
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Qualifications:
BSc (Hons.) Marine Biology, MRes (Comm.) Marine and Fisheries Ecology, PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, RYA Powerboat Level II, GMDSS (VHS) License.
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Work History:
I volunteer for the WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) as a shorewater but previously I have worked as an aquarist assistant and guide at the Macduff Marine Aquarium and as a baker for ASDA.
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Current Job:
I am a Ph.D Student at the University of Aberdeen specialising in deep-sea genomics.
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Read more
Before I can do any work on the genomes of my species I first have to go to sea to collect them. The deepest parts of the ocean are typically found around fault lines (where tectonic plates collide) in the Pacific Ocean. This is often referred to as the Pacific Rim. The species I work on live in the deepest part of the sea called the hadal zone which is below 6000m! Since we cannot dive to these depths we send down baited traps and cameras to observe the life down there. Last year we went to a deep point in the sea that nobody in the world had EVER been to. You can read more about that in this BBC News Article which over 50 million other people have read too: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26373896
Once I get back from sea I take my samples into the lab and I remove the genomes (all their DNA) from the different species. I use the DNA to look at different genes by using a process known as PCR to essentially photocopy the gene I want to look at so I have lots of copies which I can use to see it more clearly. I look at particular genes that I think are important for my species to live at such an extreme depth.
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My Typical Day:
A typical day in the lab for me involves extracting genomic DNA (the whole genome of the individual) to then look at particular genes that I find interesting or think might be important.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would love to use the money to print posters etc that I could take to a variety of science festivals and schools as part of my communication work.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Fun, lively and adventurous.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I once got lines for forgetting my maths textbook. One punishment in 6 years is not bad.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Frightened Rabbit.
What's your favourite food?
Crisps. I went 12 days without crisps on a research cruise and it is the longest I have been without them in living memory.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I would wish for: a trip to Challenger Deep (the deepest point in the sea), to have a new species of amphipod named after me and the ability to run a sub-4 hour marathon would be great!
Tell us a joke.
What kind of cheese do you use to entice a bear down a mountain? Camembert!
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