Eric Bottos
Where do you call home, and what is your nationality?
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
What made you decide to“get into science”? Was there a person or event that helped you with your decision?
I have been interested in science since I was very young, so when I realized that I would never be a professional ice hockey player, I pursued science as a career. My father, who was a high school science teacher, was the most influential person in getting me into science. He helped me realize how fascinating the world around us is and the excitement of discovering new things about it.
What is your background, how/what did you do to get to where you are today?
I have worked on many research projects studying microorganisms in different environments, including caves, alkaline ponds, waste water, Arctic ice shelves, and Antarctic lakes. Working as part of nzTABS gives me the chance to use the skills I have gained from my past projects to do more exciting work in another extreme environment.
What is your role in this ‘08/’09 summer Dry Valleys research project?
I am a PhD student on the nzTABS project, and I am responsible for identifying the microorganisms in the soils we are studying. While I am in Antarctica this summer, I will be collecting soil samples, and data about the soil, that I can work with when I come back to New Zealand.
What do you hope to find out and how will this make a difference to school children of the future?
From this project, I hope to find out what microorganisms are present in the soils of the Antarctic Dry Valleys and what is different about the soils with different microorganisms. This research will be important for studying the effects of global warming on life in the Dry Valleys and may even be useful for helping look for life on other planets.
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