The Importance of Knowledge Transfer
by Andra Busce, GeoEcoMar|December 16, 2024
One of EuroGO-SHIP’s objectives is to facilitate training of best practices and techniques across the disciplines involved in ship-based hydrography. Many of our seasoned oceanographers are delighted to have the opportunity to pass on insights and knowledge to eager early career scientists. Andra Busce of GeoEcoMar shares her recent experience learning from EuroGO-SHIP partner Malcolm Woodward during a training session at Plymouth Marine Lab.
“This past November, I travelled to the UK from Romania and had the opportunity to meet and learn from Malcolm Woodward, a highly experienced Chemical Oceanographer, who shared his valuable insights concerning nutrient analysis techniques, from seawater sampling to data acquisition and statistical interpretation. Most importantly, the training provided advanced instruction on equipment usage and data analysis to help enhance skills. The session also focused on investigating best practices for the long-term storage and preservation of nutrient samples, which will contribute to the development of optimal protocols for the broader hydrographic community. These efforts are in support of goals of the EuroGO-SHIP project.
It was a great honor to meet and work with Malcolm. I was fortunate to learn from him and gain invaluable knowledge about laboratory techniques, tools, and methods that he has been honing over the years. It was especially beneficial learning how to obtain highly accurate data from the Black Sea region. It is truly inspiring to meet such wonderful people who are passionate about marine science and so willing to share their knowledge, information, and experiences with future generations—and with patience and dedication.
The EuroGO-SHIP project is important in that it is offering advanced training in equipment usage and data analysis to enhance observation and analysis skills and is providing the opportunity for a young researcher like me to visit leading marine research institutes, such as the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and learn from venerated, interdisciplinary scientists. I gained invaluable insights into air-sea gas exchanges, microplastics, the carbon cycle, various techniques for detecting and measuring populations of cells, particles, and microorganisms, as well as Earth Observation research. So, thank you EuroGO-SHIP, thank you Malcolm and the whole team at Plymouth Marine Lab.”
About the authors
Andra Bucse is an early career researcher from the National Institute for Research and Development on Marine Geology and Geoecology – (GeoEcoMar), in the Geochemistry Department. The training outlined in this blog was funded by Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation, Romania (UEFISDCI), through the project Premiere Euro Go-SHIP, and aligns with the HE EuroGO-SHIP project objectives. The UEFISCDI funded project focuses on testing an alternative method for the preservation of seawater samples to obtain high-quality data.
Name: Malcolm Woodward
Work Package: WPs 2,3,4 and 5
Organisation: Plymouth Marine Laboratory
