New Voices on GenSea: Rhea & Camille Take the Mic

00:00:05: Hey, good morning.

00:00:07: Good afternoon or good evening.

00:00:09: today is episode one in the Gen Z podcast with your new host Rhea and Kimmy.

00:00:15: So we'll give a short introduction about us.

00:00:17: And why do what?

00:00:18: We do so to start off.

00:00:21: Can you introduce yourself Kimmie?

00:00:22: who are you and would you do for a living?

00:00:25: Yes, so hello everyone.

00:00:28: I'm Camille and currently a second year PhD student working at the Marine Station of Baneuil-Straumere and also working in the chemistry lab in Toulouse called SoftMatte.

00:00:39: And yes, PhD life!

00:00:42: What about you Ria?

00:00:44: So hi everyone.

00:00:45: my name is Ria Topel and i recently defended my PhD in marine microbiology.

00:00:51: Thank you.

00:00:52: Also from the Marine Station in Benuels and that's also where Camille and I, we worked together during our PhDs And said goodbye

00:01:01: Yeah But it is not a huge good bye

00:01:04: It isn't a huge goodbye

00:01:05: No.

00:01:07: So to start off about your research life Can tell us what your researches are about?

00:01:16: My PhD focuses on... biodegradation of plastic waste at sea.

00:01:21: I'm precisely working on polyethylene as a major polymer that is present in our oceans, so we are looking if bacteria were able or not to biodegrade the polyethylen.

00:01:36: The major difference compared with biodegadation analysis in research is that we used a bacteria consortium from the plastic sphere, the microorganisms living on the surface of the plastics.

00:01:53: Usually they only work with one species which are already super efficient in biosecration.

00:02:00: for us it's just to see if you can really have biosecondation or not.

00:02:06: so yeah basically that's it.

00:02:08: and urea.

00:02:10: What was your research about?

00:02:12: So my research is a complete opposite to yours, I mean the only similarities that we both used water for.

00:02:21: My research is about investigating different ways.

00:02:24: bacteria and maybe also plankton can take up iron which is a trace element in the southern ocean And be focused on iron from glacial sources because the glaciers are melting In Antarctica, I went to see if iron trapped in the glaciers can be used by the bacterium.

00:02:41: To combat climate change, let's say.

00:02:44: Completely different but...

00:02:46: At the end is a same goal

00:02:49: right?

00:02:49: Yeah!

00:02:49: Same goal yeah.

00:02:50: So now that you know that you have a goal do you have reason as why decided on this path of research?

00:02:58: plastic pollution, it's been a major interest for mine for many years because I was always very sad when i saw all the plastics that you can see already on the ground and since my bachelor degrees.

00:03:14: I have wanted to contribute into this field.

00:03:17: so since my bachelor, on the effect of plastics in different organisms such as oysters or shrimps.

00:03:29: And for me it's I think still crucial to work into this environmental issue.

00:03:35: so from my PhD i decided to explore a different aspect sorry of plastic pollution by focusing on multidisciplinary approaches like polymer chemistry because And also, learning more about microbiology.

00:03:54: So this allowed me to broaden my perspective and integrate disciplines that are really new to me but very interesting as well.

00:04:02: so yeah it's funny when you say polymer chemistry reminds of my husband because he is a polymer chemist too with just the chemistry side-of-it and your biologist sides.

00:04:11: You two need to have a chat at some

00:04:12: point.

00:04:13: It would

00:04:14: be much better if we could learn all about your research than mine.

00:04:18: And Yuria, what was your path of research?

00:04:21: I think for me...I did see a lot of the plastic pollution and everything going up but also where i came from.

00:04:28: I saw a lot impact on climate change mostly how heat waves keep happening different phenomena like earthquakes floods..everything It's always just thinking is there anywhere we can tackle it with an ozone layer?

00:04:42: so obviously during my masters how the poles are affected very quickly and any sort of impact that the poles could have effects on to the temperate tropical regions.

00:04:55: So I was always fascinated by the poles, the arctic in the Antarctic.

00:04:59: so i always knew yeah there is one.

00:05:01: these ways would be a path we want take In research researching about climate change, bacteria, plantain, microscopic things which don't see day-to-day but can have an impact.

00:05:12: And so I read this kind articles Right now.

00:05:17: I couldn't be a part of it, but later on through research.

00:05:20: I can be apart of and help to Be a part that change.

00:05:23: And so i learn an include on the schools?

00:05:26: Now Im trying To Change That Passive Science That I've Learned Into Active Science.

00:05:32: Based On That Kimmy Where Do You See Yourself In The Next Five Years?

00:05:37: For Me The Answer Is Really Short.

00:05:39: In Sweden Why Sweden?

00:05:42: Yeah Because Beside the plastic pollution stuff and everything since my bachelor, I did an erasmus in Sweden at Umeå University.

00:05:52: And i don't know...I really like the spirits of Sweden!

00:05:56: After that also did my master thesis in Sweden ...and no yeah..i really liked this country.

00:06:03: so maybe you can find a super nice postdoc about plastic pollution in sweden.

00:06:09: let's see what it will be.

00:06:12: but yeah ..i hope so.

00:06:15: And do you find people very different, Sweden and France?

00:06:19: Oh yes.

00:06:20: That's totally difference.

00:06:22: really.

00:06:22: this is not the same.

00:06:23: even my parents they're saying that I'm not French and are more Swedish than French actually.

00:06:28: but yeah

00:06:29: maybe it's a good thing.

00:06:31: Yeah i think its better.

00:06:33: yeah.

00:06:36: and Uria where will u be?

00:06:39: um i'll think in the next five years towards being at the bridge between science and policy.

00:06:49: I've always thought that i would be in Science, but through the PhD I realized I actually want to be more on the active side of it like promoting it talking about making people know what the problem is.

00:07:01: so for me...I just wanna be a part where I can advocate for science..to non-science people And tell them this is what matters.

00:07:08: Because as a scientist I can tell you because I know It's true.

00:07:13: So I think more like that.

00:07:15: Also about all the fake news and everything, you... Like The Voice of a Scientist.

00:07:19: it's just super important right now so makes total sense.

00:07:25: Yeah But yeah.

00:07:27: And also another few talks about what we wanted to do What were doing Right Now.

00:07:32: Is there reason That You Wanted To host this podcast with me?

00:07:37: Well first i didn't know but i was going to Do that actually.

00:07:41: But I'm super happy that Annabelle gave us the opportunity to do it.

00:07:47: First, because also you're a friend of mine and always loved talking with you about science when we were back in the office.

00:07:55: but being part this podcast is like an opportunity for me talk many topics that we liked and deeply care about And i think its really important.

00:08:07: as u said We highlight the stuff that we know also, to all other scientists working in marine environments but also non-scientist people because I think we are not going use big words like on a research paper.

00:08:25: But just make these issues accessible for everyone and maybe give up an inspiration deeper understanding of marine environment?

00:08:38: Something like that's

00:08:40: cool.

00:08:41: Yeah, you copied my answer again me so I don't know what to say.

00:08:48: If i think if could add too then it is mostly also the fact That I hope whoever listens To the podcast can understand and realize even they Can be like us

00:09:00: yeah

00:09:01: Like its not exclusive.

00:09:04: Like they can be like us in the future or they can decide to be better.

00:09:08: And it's just something for them to depend on and rely on, maybe potentially being a scientist then help with issues out there.

00:09:17: Yeah definitely.

00:09:20: I think that is all.

00:09:22: Burning question Kimi before we stop introduction podcast.

00:09:28: Coffee or tea?

00:09:30: I wait, we have to say it.

00:09:32: To the auditors like no too.

00:09:35: The listeners

00:09:36: yeah the listeners.

00:09:37: that was a question That I wanted to ask and area was like oh No, can me you know that everyone knows it's coffee but i'm sorry But coffee sucks really ready.

00:09:48: We need if he can possible?

00:09:51: I don't think on Spotify is possible to put up poll Instagram.

00:09:54: we get put up all this bitches superior coffee or see?

00:09:57: we need to know.

00:09:58: But for me it's coffee, I'm sorry.

00:10:02: And its funny because i am asian!

00:10:05: It should be tea and coffee for you but for some reason is the other way around.

00:10:10: yeah my mother would love you but unfortunately she stuck with me so... Alright now it was fun talking to you Kimmy.

00:10:22: I hope our listeners are excited because the next session we have, episode two would be about The Plastic Treaty.

00:10:28: We're going into the plastic sphere and someone who's interviewing is very special And you will know in the next episode.

00:10:37: Stay tuned!

00:10:38: Bye-bye.