The Star: June 27, 2019

10
LIVING
LIFE
UC STUDIES
LURE OF THE ICE ENTICES
BRIGHT YOUNG RESEARCHERS
Antarctica continues to call bright young researchers to her
icy shores, and scholarships are making their ground-breaking
research at University of Canterbury (UC) possible.
“They are the top of the top,” UC’s Gateway Antarctica director
Professor Wolfgang Rack says of the two students who accepted
scholarships last week, Shinae Montie and Rose Foster. “I am
looking forward to the research they produce. It is amazing, the
difference they can make, because they are really at the forefront
of new knowledge that is relevant to global change.”
The Christchurch City Council (CCC), ChristchurchNZ and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) contribute to
scholarships for Antarctic research at UC.
Montie was awarded a $5000 MFAT
scholarship for her research using satellite
remote sensing to detect heatwaves in the
Antarctic Ocean.
“We should be more worried about
heatwaves in the ocean than gradual
warming,” she says.
Twice they flew to Antarctica, but adverse
weather prevented the plane landing. For
these passionate young researchers, who
had only dreamed of visiting Antarctica, it
was hard work.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster,” Foster
says. “When we finally walked out onto
the ice, I just burst into tears!”
Foster was inspired by David
Attenborough’s pioneering Frozen
Planet documentary to give up her flight
attendant job and “do more to help the
planet. The main aspects of polar ecology
that interest me are understanding how
species have adapted to living in such
extreme environments, understanding
the impact climate change is having
on them now and in the future, and
also participating in research which
contributes to the development of effective
conservation initiatives to mitigate these
impacts,” she says.
The trip to the ice was beyond everything
she could have imagined, she says. “It has
ignited my motivation for studying and
conserving the vulnerable species that call
the frozen parts of our planet ‘home’.”
Montie’s interest in Antarctica developed
earlier, during her final years of high
school.
“I began to explore electives that could
accompany my degree in ecology. I
have always been drawn to the marine
environment; however, my focus has since
shifted towards the Southern Ocean. I now
know that I want to dedicate my career to
understanding, learning, educating and
protecting the Antarctic, and the Southern
Ocean region in particular.”
Both students paid tribute to the
organisations who had helped to
facilitate their research and as part of
the Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic
Studies, UC offers an 8 to 10 day field
course at Scott Base and in Windless
Bight, Antarctica, comprising a mix of
analytical projects (data and information
gathering, analysis and interpretation)
and interpretative exercises. Antarctic
field training and the experience of living
and working in the polar environment are
additional components of this course.
Our pre-paid scheme provides
peace of mind in knowing that
your funeral details are in good
hands.
The Lamb & Hayward Funeral
Trustee Ltd is a secure scheme
managed by separate Trustees.
For more information call
0800 99 22 00
or to request a free information pack
SOLUTIONS PUZZLES FROM PAGE 9
EASY
QUICK CROSSWORD
6/22/2019
Daily Quick Crossword: 22 June 2019
Michael Curl
Puzzle Content © Michael Curl
A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just
right for solving in your coffee break.
http://bestforpuzzles.com
MEDIUM
ACROSS
1 Summer month (4)
3 Sheath for a sword (8)
9 Stray from the subject (7)
10 Grown-up (5)
11 Paved garden area (5)
12 List of things to be done or
discussed (6)
14 In truth (6)
16 Extortionate money-lender (6)
19 Infuriate (6)
21 Garden tools (5)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
J U L Y S C A B B A R D
8
O I R A R S A
9 10
D I G R E S S A D U L T
H H C U V N A
11 12
P A T I O A G E N D A
U I L E P
14 15 16 17
23
R E A L L Y U S U R E R
18
S L I T O
19 20 21 22
M A D D E N R A K E S
O M E D A N P
24 25
S C O R N E P I S O D E
L D S B N L C
26 27
O M E L E T T E P L O T
13