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FRIENDS OF BLUE MICROBE

Friends of Blue Microbe: About

I love the smell of the sea, and the sense of adventure you feel when you’re on a boat.  I am constantly being inspired and surprised at how evolution has shaped interactions between species. Also, watching the next generation of scientists find their feet.

One of my favourite things are the picturesque sights that are so awe-inspiring; as the day draws on, the sea is the bluest you will ever see.

 I was adopted into Team V by Mike as a PhD student in my final year. I learnt an awful lot from experiments that did not go to plan: but has helped me get a better understanding of molecular biology. I am now based at Exeter University running a research group that investigates host-virus interactions and evolution in marine bacteria.

Ben Temperton

Friends of Blue Microbe: Quote

I’m inspired by all kinds of microbes because they’re doing so many things every second of every day that we just take for granted. They are so tiny and have such a huge influence on our planet – this helps me believe that a single person can make a change in the world! I love taking a walk on the beach when you can smell, feel, hear and see the sea! And I love that there are so many different and exciting organisms living in the sea like huge whales but also minuscule algae! I live in Austria where we don’t have a single beach (because we don’t have sea access) and I really miss that! I had a great time with Team V and tested the ability of alginate (a material from algae cell walls) beads to take up heavy metals and thus clean wastewater. I am currently doing a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology back home in Vienna (Austria) and I am working on my thesis about the recirculation of process water in algae cultivation.

Lisa Bauer

Friends of Blue Microbe: Quote

Hi, I'm Andrew Landels :-)

When I really need to think or be inspired, I love walking and spending time near large areas of water. When I need to get motivated, I try to meet new people, learn new things, and visit new places! My favourite things to do at the seaside, are swimming and scuba diving - I think scuba is the closest feeling most of us can get to feeling like we're in space, which is really cool, and there are so many interesting plants and animals under the sea to see! Also, the beach is an excellent place for walks - especially at sunrise! I grew up by the sea, and so when I can see it I feel happy and calm.

 While I was in Team V, I was a research and development engineer, who worked on making the production of fish feed more environmentally friendly. I also worked with the team to investigate the value of seaweeds in the south west of the UK, along with a few other side projects looking at cleaning water and studying and growing microalgae. I'm currently taking some time to travel in Asia, where I plan to see more of the world, learn a few new things, and meet some new people!

Andrew Landels

Friends of Blue Microbe: Quote

I am inspired by the challenge and courage of science, the feeling of having an idea and trying to make it work when long hours of work are not exhausting anymore because you are so keen. And also by the atmosphere when amazing people get together to do science and it becomes a great experience full of ideas, talks, and inspiration. I like being near the sea, since I was a kid I love observing life in rockpools when I am on the shore. I also love SCUBA diving and snorkelling. I was lucky to get into Mikes lab on the second year of my marine biology undergrad at Plymouth University. For a year I was helping around and learning, in the second year, I did my undergraduate project at PML. I was working with cool microalgae from lakes of Hanoi, trying to isolate some particular species and looking at how they react to the changes in nutrients concentrations. Being a part of Team V was invaluable, not only I learned incredibly lots about algae and molecular biology from Tracey Mike and Andy, but I've also got truly inspired to become a scientist,  got a never-ending love for microalgae and found some amazing mentors and friends that I hope to keep for life.

 Currently, I’m doing my Masters in biotechnology and molecular biology at Bonn University (Germany) to further pursue my dreams. Team V is forever in my heart!

Ana Barilo

Friends of Blue Microbe: Quote

The natural world is a constant source of inspiration, from working towards new solutions to reduce our environmental footprint to artistic expression. My latest obsession is

snorkeling around the southern coasts of Devon and Cornwall. The rich marine
life we have here is absolutely stunning and I still find myself being amazed
by the experience. I've encountered playful seals, colourful wrasse, hypnotic jellyfish, bait balls, baby squid, diving seabirds and underwater
algal-jungles. Soon to be investing in a proper freediving wetsuit so I can
spend longer exploring. I also love sea turtles. I did lots of really cool stuff whilst working alongside Team V.

Currently, I am working in Membership Development for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for Devon and Cornwall.

Holly Smith-Baedorf

Friends of Blue Microbe: Quote
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