Charlene Janion-Scheepers, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

I am a terrestrial invertebrate ecologist and physiologist. I am especially interested in the adaptation and plasticity of invertebrates’ responses to climate change and how these responses differ between introduced and indigenous species. To answer these questions, I mainly work on belowground systems that are key to terrestrial ecosystem functioning. To do this I mostly focus on springtails (Collembola) adopting a multidisciplinary approach incorporating physiology, traditional taxonomy, DNA barcoding and ecology. I have been very lucky to have worked on sub-Antarctic islands such as the Prince Edward Islands and South Georgia, and Svalbard in the Arctic.

What keeps you going?

I am passionate about understanding how climate change and invasive species are affecting the tiny but vital invertebrates from the Antarctic region. They play a crucial role in all polar ecosystems, yet are often overlooked. I especially enjoy sharing the stories of the remote Antarctic and sub‑Antarctic islands, which I see as sentinels of change. They are early warning systems that reveal how these isolated regions are responding to global pressures and can inform us on how even local ecosystems may respond to global change.

What’s your message to the world?

Stay optimistic about the future! Don’t think you can’t make a difference. Every small contribution can help tackle and solve global challenges, no matter where you are! Don’t stop exploring and discovering new things.