MARCH 18, 2024
EVENT
YESSS PhD Students Attend Training in Kiel
The countdown to the YESSS project’s research expedition to Kongsfjorden on Svalbard is on, and the team is gearing up for the challenges ahead. In March 2024, four of our PhD students participating in the project received vital hands-on training in the Kiel Fjord, preparing them for the rigorous fieldwork to come.
The training, supported by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, focused on mastering the techniques necessary for collecting water samples. Guided by experienced mentors, the students practiced their skills on a research boat, ensuring they’re ready to navigate the icy waters of the Arctic and gather valuable data.
With their newly acquired skills and knowledge under their belts, the YESSS PhD students are now one step closer to embarking on their scientific journey into the Arctic. This training in Kiel is just one example of the collaborative efforts behind the project, ensuring that the team is well-prepared to tackle the complexities of Arctic research and contribute to a greater understanding of this vital ecosystem.
The final day of the training brought the students into the lab, where they analyzed the water samples they had collected the previous day.
This practical experience provided them with a deeper understanding of the procedures they’ll be using in Kongsfjorden, including the operation of a PlanktoScope – an automated microscope that captures high-resolution images of plankton samples. This tool will allow them to identify changes in the planktonic community over the course of the year, tracking both the abundance and diversity of species.
With their newly acquired skills and knowledge under their belts, the YESSS PhD students are now one step closer to embarking on their scientific journey into the Arctic. This training in Kiel is just one example of the collaborative efforts behind the project, ensuring that the team is well-prepared to tackle the complexities of Arctic research and contribute to a greater understanding of this vital ecosystem.
