I’m Roshni Subramaniam!

I think what inspires me and motivates me is my love of marine ecosystems and my desire to know more.

I am currently a marine ecosystem modeller - I use mathematical models to simulate ecosystem dynamics and explore how predator-prey interactions are changing under different pressures (like climate change and fishing). I've primarily applied these models to Antarctic ecosystems but now I'm extending into temperate environments, like the giant kelp reefs we have in Australia. The marine mammals that visit Antarctica also travel all over the world and visit other ecosystems, so it has been very cool to expand on what I have learnt and explore that connectivity.

I am from New Zealand (born and raised!) but moved around and eventually ended up in Australia for my Bachelors. Conservation is an important message in NZ, and I think that message really spoke to me when I was younger. The beauty of NZ showed me the benefits of conservation, and growing up surrounded by water and learning about marine life occupied a space in my mind that I have never forgotten.

I have spent most of my life in NZ and in my opinion, it is a very multicultural place - I personally grew up embracing these cultures.

My parents are Malaysian but have a mixed ethnic background so we have a mixed bag of traditions and values in our house.

As a result, I think I am more adaptable and open-minded and I'm always interested to hear about other people's ways of life.

I think what inspires me and motivates me is my love of marine ecosystems and my desire to know more. As for what it is like being a Polar Explorer, I think the best way to put it is that it is full of opportunity. For me, it's everything I wanted to do in my career in one.

The beauty of NZ showed me the benefits of conservation, and growing up surrounded by water and learning about marine life occupied a space in my mind that I have never forgotten.

While I was aware of basic marine life when I was younger, Antarctica was not really on my radar. I used to think that Antarctica was this deserted place that no one went to, I knew people had travelled there, like the early explorers, but I did not know there was so much life and human activity there. During my study at university, I learned more about Antarctic marine life and that's where I started to make a personal connection and wanted to learn more.

What still is so fascinating to me to this day is that life in Antarctica is supported by these tiny microscopic organisms called phytoplankton. The eating is so good in Antarctica that whales migrate during the summer to do it!

For anyone wishing to have a similar career, my advice is to be strategic. List what qualities your ideal career or job will have and find something that ticks most (if not all) of those boxes. Develop a skillset that is in demand and don't slack on math - it is so valuable for any science career. My ideal career allowed me to study marine life, play with data and statistics and be creative. I also wanted a good work-life balance but I'm still working on that one!

I'm the only marine biologist in my family (as far as I know) and everyone has their own view of what I do.

My parents and siblings tell people "it's something to do with modelling and Antarctica and ecosystems", my cousin once told someone I swam with dolphins for a living. I liked that one actually, made me sound more adventurous than I am.

They don't understand it but they support it, which is the most important thing to me.

If I really think about it, my parents inspire me. My parents left their families and moved to NZ for more opportunity and a better future. They built a life from the ground up in a new country, with a new culture, and very little financial support. If they can get through something as tough and scary as that, then what can't I do?

As far as research topic goes, I'm very lucky to be living my dream by studying ecosystems using data and models. In the future, I would like to adopt a more applied approach with my research, to support management and conservation. I'm slowly stepping into that space but I still have a lot to learn.

I would also not be here without the encouragement and support of my supervisors and mentors so I think it's important to find people in your field who will help push you forward.

Be sure to follow Dr. Roshni Subramaniam on Twitter @RCSubramaniam!