Jacqui Stuart

Marine biologist/ecologist

I am a PhD student and Research Assistant at the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand. I study the wonderful world of microalgae (the base of the marine food web), in particular what microalgae is in, around and below the sea ice in Antarctica. I am super interested in how microalgae may be impacted by our changing climate, since they are so important for the health of marine ecosystems. For my research, I get to drill lots of holes in the sea ice, go on sampling trips with my plankton net and dive into the microworld and all its beauty. It has been a lifelong dream to go to Antarctica and a more recent dream to study the microalgae there.

All my life I have had the privilege of getting out and about in the wild places of Aotearoa with my family and friends. With many camping, hiking, surfing, skiing, and biking trips I have always felt a deep connection to nature and the great outdoors. My vision for Girls* on Ice Aotearoa is to enable young women* to connect with nature and their inner strength and creativity. Science and art are all around us, this will hopefully give young women* the opportunity to see that.