Margot Smith (Geography) – An Astrobiologists’s study of lipids in spring waters up in the high Arctic

The Arctic is host to cold, hypersaline, perennial springs that flow through 600m of permafrost.  I studied 44 samples from cores, sediments, filtrates and microbial mats from these springs. Surficial life at these springs has been studied for decades, but this is the first investigation that looks at the deep subsurface life. This is of interest as a Mars analogue site for deep subsurface life on Mars.

For upcoming interviews check out the Grad Chat webpage on Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Affairs website.