Suzie’s passion and enthusiasm for the natural world led her to pursue a degree in physics; searching for answers to the universe’s most tantalizing questions. Her Master’s project at the University of Leeds was developing a torsionally-driven Atomic Force Microscope cantilever to study the rheology of individual nanogel particles; assessing their feasibility as drug-delivery capsules. Since graduating, she has set her sights on things a little larger than nanogels and has applied herself to her greatest love: the environment. She has since specialized in marine mammal science and ocean plastics, researching new innovations and technologies to better understand and protect our oceans’ ecosystems.
Suzie has always loved to write, from articles for the IOP and Physics World whilst at school, to environmental blogs and articles in recent years. Her first scientific article for British Divers Marine Life Rescue: Orca Aware looks at the presence and prevalence of toxic Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in orcas; specifically the effects they have on the species and, as a result, the health of our ecosystems. This ignited her passion for scientific writing, combining her love of the written word with the natural world.
Through her work runs a central theme: that education is the most powerful driver of change. She firmly believes that science should be and can be accessible to all, no matter your background (or affinity with mathematics!). This provided an obvious and natural segue into scientific communication, and in early 2017 Suzie co-founded a small non-profit with the aim to spread awareness and provide tangible solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis. This work has enabled her to work with schools, businesses and individuals from all walks of life to help create positive change with strong, research-based roots. She currently manages all content for their website and blog, which continues to strengthen her understanding of the power of proper communication.
Supplementing her work with scientific writing enables Suzie to stay current with the latest, exciting developments in science; whether it’s new, cutting-edge technology, fascinating breakthroughs or insights into the mysterious depths of the quantum realm. In-between projects, she spends most of her time outdoors - hiking, SCUBA diving and searching for wildlife.