Profile
Freija Mendrik
My CV
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Education:
Exeter School. Swansea University. University of Edinburgh. University of Hull.
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Qualifications:
11 GCSEs, A-levels: Art, Biology, Physics and English, helped me get into University to do BSc Marine Biology followed by MSc Marine Systems and now my PhD.
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Work History:
Waitress, shop assistant, intern at a veterinary clinic, volunteer with several conservation organisations
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Current Job:
PhD student
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About Me:
I’m a marine biologist who’s passionate about protecting our oceans! I also love to run, cycle and be outdoors as much as possible.
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Rock pooling was one of my favourite things to do when I was little, they are like windows into a completely different world. I wanted to see who lived there and say hello! I was very lucky to grow up on the south coast of England and would be at the beach as much as possible. My mum jokes that I could swim before I could walk and that I was a little fish. The ocean feels like home.
From an early age I was passionate about nature, however when it came to deciding what on Earth I was going to do with my life after school, I was unsure. I always loved science but I wasn’t very confident and never felt smart enough. I had a complicated home life and I never felt like I was good enough. I’m so glad I decided to try and become a marine biologist though because now I am and I love what I do!
I’m currently living in Hull with my boyfriend. We try and get outside and explore nature as much as possible. The Yorkshire coast is gorgeous and we love to camp! I also volunteer with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust running local beach cleans.
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My research aims to predict how microplastics (very small pieces of plastic) move in a major river and out to sea as well as understanding how coral reefs are being effected by plastic pollution in the South China Sea. I hope this will improve how plastic pollution is managed to prevent it from reaching our oceans.
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My Typical Day:
No two days are the same for me! In the field I’m either on a boat or the water collecting samples. In the lab I’ll be looking at my samples under a microscope or running experiments. I also spend a lot of time reading papers and writing up my work.
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At the moment, I get up reasonably early and the first thing I usually do is make a cup of tea! I then walk to University which is about 25 minutes away and go to the lab. I spend about half an hour preparing my experiments which is looking at how biofilms – small organisms – growing on plastic changes how they move in water. I spend the whole morning in the lab and then come home for lunch. After lunch I catch up on emails, read papers and try to get some writing done! I usually have other side projects going on at the same time too such as an art competition showing how our world will change in 30 years.
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What I do to help Planet Earth:
I’m really passionate about being as sustainable as possible. I try reduce how much plastic I use by buying things not wrapped in plastic or making some easy swaps like using a bamboo toothbrush. I recycle as much as possible. I’m also a vegetarian and try to not eat very much dairy to reduce my carbon footprint. I compost all our food waste. I also try to buy second-hand clothing where I can as there is so much waste produced in the fashion industry. I also run local beach cleans.
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The CHRISTMAS LECTURE related to my work:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qpkf
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
When I was little, a vet, but then a marine biologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Occasionally...
What's your favourite food?
Crunchy peanut butter
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