Masters by Research (MRes) in Geoenvironmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde
As I finished up my undergraduate degree in biochemical engineering back home in the United States, I was positioned to enter the pharmaceutical industry. But, I just wasn’t excited about it! Instead, I found I was motivated to explore creative and interdisciplinary solutions to global sustainability challenges that embraced unconventionality and connected to the gene therapy research I had been conducting. This is when I began my journey into the world of geoscience and the interdisciplinary opportunities that lie within it.
I learned about the massive carbon footprint associated with the cement industry, and the need for alternative materials within our construction and ground engineering sectors. I became fascinated with the idea of “building with life” and its intent to go beyond biomimicry and actually integrate living matter into our materials. What better place to look for living organisms that can provide utility to ground engineering than in our soils? I discovered the biocement research being conducted at the University of Strathclyde’s Civil and Environmental Engineering department with S. pasteurii bacteria. This soil bacteria naturally grows calcium carbonate minerals and is responsible for the formation of caves in nature. The idea is to repurpose this natural mineral formation to develop a lower carbon alternative material to cement. I wanted to use my experience with biotechnical tools and see what could be possible with this biocement if we genetically manipulated the soil bacteria. But first I needed to be introduced and versed in the world of geoscience.
In order to step into this interdisciplinary research within the geoscience field, I applied for an MRes (Masters by Research) in Geoenvironmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. To address the financial demands of further study, I applied for a Fulbright scholarship that was funded by the United States Department of Education. And that’s how I have spent my past year! I’ve been living in Scotland, funded by a Fulbright scholarship, researching genetic manipulation of soil bacteria involved in biocement technology. The MRes programme includes 6 taught classes, and I’ve found that the balance of taught modules and independent research has been perfect for my transition into this new field. The richness of completing such interdisciplinary work in an intercultural environment fueled my passion for this type of unconventional collaboration within the geosciences. After completing this master’s degree, I am looking to dive deeper into the world of geoscience and its collaboration with biotechnology through a PhD. I am excited to take my passion and create a more sustainable future.
If you are considering a master’s degree in geosciences, my advice is to put yourself in conversation with people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds about your research…that’s when the magic and creative unconventional collaborations happen.