Rae Landriau

Over 250 sumps (drilling waste disposal sites) are present in the western Arctic on the landscape. The persistence of sumps is dependent on a periglacial climate, as it acts to freeze waste in place. With climate change resulting in warming of the western Arctic at rates up to four times the global average, the integrity and stability of sumps become threatened. My Master’s research focuses on analyzing the extent of migration of contaminants from sumps into the surrounding environment across four distinct permafrost environments to better understand how sump performance and stability have changed since their development.

What keeps you going?

What keeps me going is seeing how my research directly has an impact. For example, my work is partnered with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Seeing how my research, methodologies, and collaboration with them directly impact the programs they’re running and their work, fuels me. Working collaboratively on this project and seeing its applicability is very rewarding and pushes me forward on tough days. Another thing that drives me is how engaging this work is. I am learning something new all the time, and I am constantly being challenged to grow.

What’s your message to the world?

There are opportunities all around you, so send that email, follow up with people, and don’t be afraid to go and put yourself out there. So often, we’re so afraid to fail that we don’t even start, but failure is part of life, so put yourself out there because you might stumble upon the most life-changing experience. If I hadn’t followed my own advice, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and quite frankly, my life would be completely different.