Profile
Stephanie Henson
My CV
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Education:
Nottingham Girls High School
High Pavement 6th Form College (Nottingham)
University of Leicester
University of Southampton -
Qualifications:
9 GCSEs
3 A-levels
BSc in Physics with Space Science and Technology
MSc in Oceanography
PhD in Oceanography -
Work History:
Various summer jobs working in cafes, newsagents, retail
Project manager at the Natural Environment Research Council
Post-doc researcher at University of Maine (USA)
Research scholar at Princeton University (USA)
Research fellow at National Oceanography Centre (UK) -
Current Job:
Principal scientist at National Oceanography Centre and Honorary Professor at Univeristy of Southampton
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About Me:
I’m a biogeochemical oceanographer – what a mouthful! Basically, I study the biology and chemistry of the oceans.
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Read more
I’m a marine scientist who specialises in studying phytoplankton – tiny plants that live in the ocean. They’re super important because they produce half of the oxygen in the air that we breathe (the rest comes from land plants). They also take large amounts of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere – without them CO2 would be 50% higher than it already is!
I study how phytoplankton populations change in response to natural variability and climate change, and how that feeds back into the ocean’s uptake and storage of carbon.
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My Typical Day:
Most of my day is spent in front of a computer, analysing data, writing up the results, or writing proposals for new research topics. I also check in with my students and team members. I go to sea on research voyages about once a year (although not in 2020!)
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What I do to help Planet Earth:
I cycle to work and rarely use my car for local journeys, such as shopping (except when I need to buy cat food!) I also eat a mostly plant-based diet, reserving meat for special occasions like Christmas.
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The CHRISTMAS LECTURE related to my work:
Lecture 2 – Water World, at 54:17 https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qpkf/royal-institution-christmas-lectures-2020-planet-earth-a-users-guide-2-water-world
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
curious, engaged, ginger
What did you want to be after you left school?
I had no idea!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
oh yes....
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Elvis
What's your favourite food?
pretty much anything....
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
better imagination, more free time, less paperwork
Tell us a joke.
Why did the lobster blush? Because the sea-weed
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