top of page

Bio

I was born and raised in Rochdale, Greater Manchester (UK), where, as my parents would say, I spent most of my time with either my head down investigating rocks or with it straining up, observing the night sky. I have always been fascinated with space exploration and our solar system, and I spent much of my childhood imagining what it would be like to explore some of these mysterious, hidden worlds. 

​

I moved to London in 2015, and at 30 years old, and after 11 years of working in retail to support myself, I decided to go back to university to learn more about something I’ve always been passionate about...those rocks and stars! I enrolled at Birkbeck University of London as a mature student in the full-time BSc Planetary Science with Astronomy course. Having to support myself meant working 40+ hours a week for the duration of my full-time studies, a hard but rewarding task. I took several important planetary and geology modules, including Geology in the Solar System, Mineralogy, Igneous Petrology, Sedimentology, Comets, Asteroids and Meteorites, Remote Sensing, Scientific Computing, and Data Modelling. I soon became more interested in the ice-rich bodies of the Solar System, wondering how these bodies, and their landforms evolve over time.

​

20180404_080834.jpg

Mt. Everest and the Khumbu Glacier, Nepal

​My major undergraduate project was titled "Active Regions on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Source Regions and Geomorphological Changes from Outburst Activity." Vincent et al. (2016) located the locations of large-scale sublimation events, known as outbursts, on Comet 67P. With this knowledge, I used OSIRIS WAC and NAC images from the ESA's Rosetta spacecraft to investigate these outburst locations in detail, selecting images before and after the events took place. We found several morphologies associated with mass wasting and material loss on the surface of the comet. I also observed a previously undiscovered large cliff collapse event (see the ESA news report further down the page).​​

​

I started my PhD back at Birkbeck University with my old UG supervisor, Dr Mohamed Ramy El-Maarry. I am exploring how a selection of ice-rich landforms on Mars, known as Glacier-Like Formations, are evolving across the mid-to-late Amazonian period and how their surfaces and geomorphology have been affected by climate changes and periods of polyphase glaciation. I have used a number of techniques to analysis these features, such as crater statisics, climate modelling, and geometric measurements of geomorphology.

 

Two gifs showing the cliff collapse, and the resulting outburst from Comet 67P

I am now into my third year and working hard to unravel the mysteries of Glacier-Like Forms on Mars. I am also an Associate Lecturer, teaching the module 'Geology of the Solar System II' for the second time, where I explore the geological, geochemical, and geomorphological properties of our solar systems planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. We also explore planetary atmospheres and discuss the theories for the origins of the solar system.

​

As for the future, I hope to finish my doctorate and continue in both research and teaching. I also enjoy outreach and hope to participate more in events relating to planetary science. Being interested in icy-rich terrains, I am hoping to be involved in some upcoming missions to Mars and other planets, such as missions to ice-rich bodies such as JUICE, Europa-Clipper, and Comet Interceptor.

​

COPYOF ME_edited.jpg

A model of ESAs Trace Gas Orbiter at The Open University (UK)

Education

2016-2019

BSc Planetary Science with Astronomy

Birkbeck University of London

First-Class Honours

The course covered a number of geological, planetary science, and astronomy modules. These included modules such as 'Geology of the Solar System, Volcanism in the Solar System, Exploration and Modelling of Planetary Interiors, Remote Sensing and Planetary Surfaces, Scientific Computing and Data Modelling. I also completed this degree whilst working full-time to support myself. 

​

My BSc project was entitled 'Active Regions on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Source regions and geomorphological changes from outburst activity'.  The origins of large-scale sublimation events, known as outbursts, on comet 67P, have been located by Vincent et al., (2016). Using this knowledge, I used OSIRIS camera images from the ESA Rosetta spacecraft to look in detail at outburst locations, before and after the event took place. We found a number of morphologies associated with mass wasting and material loss from the comet. We also observed a previously undiscovered large cliff collapse.

2021-Present

Ph.D Planetary Science

Birkbeck University of London

I am investigating the geomorphological evolution of large-area Glacier-Like Forms on Mars. These ice-rich landforms populate the mid-latitudes of Mars and are thought to be late Amazonian in age. Little is known about geological evolution throughout Martian history, though they are thought to be the result of the redistribution of water-ice from the Martian poles during periods of high obliquity. My research focuses on quantifying various geomorphological changes on these landforms, exploring their surface ages, surface geomorphology, glacial characteristics and climate controls.

Awards, Scholarships and Grants

  • Emily Page Short Pioneer Award for Best Planetary Science Project

       Birkbeck University of London, 2019​

​

  • Best Scientific Poster - British Planetary Science Conference 2022

​

  • First-Place - Birkbeck Graduate Research School Poster Competition

       Birkbeck University of London, 2023​

​

  • Royal Astronomical Society Research Conference Grant (2024)

​

  • Tim Newling Award for Planetary Science Research (2024)

​

bottom of page