Linda Balfoort, MSc
Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington; Te Puna Pātiotio – Antarctic Research Centre (New Zealand)
Linda, in orange and black Antarctica NZ gear, standing in front of Mt. Erebus just outside of Scott Base. This photo was taken prior to the collection of the sediment core at KIS-2 that she did her MSc thesis on.
What’s the work that you do?
In May 2023 I finished my MSc thesis in Antarctic sedimentology. I was privileged enough to go to Antarctica during the 2021/2022 field season where we collected a sediment core from underneath the Ross Ice Shelf. The sedimentology there suggests interaction between subglacial hydrology, subglacial sediments and ice streams. I have since started a PhD project with SWAIS2C (Stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet under 2 degrees Celsius warming), where we will attempt to collect a longer sediment core from underneath the Ross Ice Shelf. I am especially interested in the stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheets under future climate change.
What keeps you going?
My passion for the subject, the immense privilege of being able to work in this field, the amazing people I get to work with and the amount I am learning from them. There is also a sense of urgency with my research since it is relevant to climate change research.
What’s your message to the world?
Stay kind, understand that everyone’s brain operates differently, and respect your own brain! One of the hardest lessons I am currently learning is that there are limits to how much I can handle, I will always feel better if I also keep space for fun, relaxing, loved ones and pets.
Organisation: Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington; Te Puna Pātiotio – Antarctic Research Centre (New Zealand)
Nationality:
Netherlands
Disciplines: