What is your thesis topic / field of interest?

My project looks at the transport of heat from the equatorial regions to the poles. It involves experimenting with a 75-litre aquarium that is differentially heated from below, leading to a flow known as ‘horizontal convection'. My supervisors are Dr. Graham Hughes and Prof. Ross Griffiths.

Where have you come from to do this program?

I'm from Canberra, and for this undergraduate degree I have majored in maths and physics. Towards the end of my degree I became interested in geophysics and completed a summer scholarship in geophysical fluid dynamics, which is the field I am studying now.

What experience have you gained while studying at RSES?

I have been at RSES only one year, but I have gained an insight into the academic lifestyle. It is a great experience to enjoy the freedom to conduct new and interesting experiments at the cutting edge of science.

What have you learnt about yourself during your time here?

Observing how lifetime academics function in the day-to-day operations is inspiring. Hard work counts for a lot when it comes to progressing in life.

What do you see yourself doing upon completion of the program?

I hope to begin a PhD here at RSES. Following that, who knows?

What has been the highlight of the program?

Working in the lab has given me a real appreciation for the scientific method and has been the highlight of my program thus far. I hope to be able to complete some fieldwork during my PhD; it would be great to go to Antarctica .

Why would you recommend this program to others?

I would recommend the summer scholarship program to gain a feel for how the honours year will suit. The Physics of the Earth honours program at RSES has the benefit of being run from the research side of campus and allows for undergraduates to work closely with their supervisors.