Meet our 2025 Student Ambassadors

I get excited whenever someone asks me for an interesting environmental science fact because of the vast knowledge about the environment and how much is still unknown, making most facts interesting. However, my favourite facts are always about marine organisms, each more unique than the last. One of my personal favourite facts is that there are two underwater octopus “cities” in Jarvis Bay, Australia. The “cities” are named Octopolis and Octlantis, the first discovered around 2009 and the second around 2016. Both places were inhabited by gloomy octopuses, scientifically known as Octopus tetricus, who were seen to mate, communicate, fight and live together in the area; They were also seen to evict the unwelcome octopuses from their dens, which were crafted by the shells of their preys. In fact, the entire village was built on shells and other debris. This not only highlights the intelligence and adaptability of octupi, but also changes the idea that they are solitary organisms.

For as long as I can remember, I have felt strongly that the environmental issues that our Earth currently faces must be urgently addressed. I believe that all humans have an innate responsibility towards taking care of the Earth and making sure we are giving back to our Earth as much as we are taking from it. I am confident that studying environmental science will serve as the stepping stone, which will prepare me to eventually do my part in tackling the pressing issues of our globally unstable climate. Also, I hope to become an active contributor in the transformational changes we need to make to stop and reverse the damage done.

All of these reasons were what led me to eventually choosing Environmental Sciences as my university major. I am an active member of the Environment and Sustainability Club at Qatar University, which is a student-run club aiming to spread environmental awareness through events that are held multiple times a year, both in and out of campus. Last month, our club organised a kayaking trip at the mangrove forest of Al Thakhira in the northeastern coast of Qatar. We have several more trips to come which are planned for the remainder of the academic year.

As a second-year Environmental Science student, my academic and personal passions lie in sustainability. This interest has motivated me to explore how governments and businesses address climate change through policies and practices. With a foundation in data analysis, I am eager to generate innovative and clear data that can be shared across a wide range of sectors, fostering a higher level of understanding about the sustainable changes that need to be made. 

During the summer of 2024, I worked as an Assistant Ecologist for FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Consultants. In this role, I assisted in conducting environmental surveys, producing clear and comprehensive reports on bat activity at proposed development sites. These surveys were essential in determining whether conservation measures were needed to relocate bats. This experience gave me valuable insight into how large companies can balance economic growth with adherence to sustainable development goals (SDGs) from the perspective of an environmental consultancy.

These experiences will enable me to serve as an effective and engaging liaison between IES and students, promoting action and enhancing understanding of environmental sciences.

My name is Lottie and I’m a second year Environmental Science student at the University of York. Environmental science interests me because I am passionate about sustainability and speaking up about tackling climate change. I enjoy studying air and water pollution, particularly the solutions to solving this problem. In England and Wales, there were 375,000 sewage spills into rivers and waterways in 2022, and air pollution is known to cause serious health issues such as COPD and heart attacks, therefore it is more important than ever to be interested in this area. I love that environmental science allows me to understand the scientific basis for creating effective solutions and a positive impact. On my course, we often analyse water samples from our campus lake and rivers that run past wastewater treatment plants. It is fascinating to see the results and know more about the environment around us. I am very excited to be a student ambassador and share my passion for environmental science with others.

I have long been fascinated with the natural world around me, especially inspired by the much-loved David Attenborough documentaries. There are quite a few areas of environmental science that specifically interest me, this includes renewable energy resources, environmental education, environmental consultancy and environmental management in the construction industry.

Not so much an environmental fact but my favourite environmental science video is when a BBC cameraman tries to film the highly elusive and critically endangered Kākāpō nocturnal parrot from New Zealand. They manage to find one, but unfortunately it performs a mating ritual on top of the cameraman!

In a job, I want to combine my two main passions of business and sustainability to create affordable, sustainable solutions that will move society forwards in tackling the world’s biggest threat - climate change.

Currently, I am doing this through a project I run, in my local city - Southampton. Our project called Seeds for Thought aims to tackle food insecurity and consequently childhood obesity through a comprehensive healthy eating education programme. Additionally, we manufacture hydroponics, which is essentially a water-based growing kit whereby people with no access to a garden can grow fresh vegetables and fruits on their windowsill.

I am Vihan Jain, a second year Environmental Science student at the University of Manchester. An area of environmental science that interests me is renewable energy, especially solar power systems. I am fascinated by how solar technology harnesses the energy of the Sun to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

During an internship, I gained hands-on experience in evaluating the feasibility of solar power solutions. I surveyed rooftop areas for solar panel installations, assessed the movement of the Sun for optimal placement, and collaborated with my manager to finalise the best location for solar panels. This practical exposure allowed me to understand the intricacies of solar design and its implementation in real-world contexts.

Additionally, I gained insights into the financial considerations of solar projects, such as how payback periods are calculated. This understanding highlighted the importance of balancing initial investment costs with long-term benefits, making renewable energy solutions both practical and sustainable. Solar energy appeals to me because of its dual impact - reducing carbon emissions while empowering communities with renewable energy. I am eager to explore further how solar energy can be optimised and scaled globally to help transition toward a more sustainable future.

Environmental science is a broad and expanding subject! I am passionate about making a change within this field and educating others about the importance of being aware about the key environmental issues that we are facing globally. I am most interested in environmental change and how we can reconstruct past climate change through the use of pollen and sediment samples, and how this can help us to understand how our current climate may change in the future. This is such a fascinating topic as it can also be used to provide solutions and mitigate our current climate crisis. I am also interested in pollution management and the impact that humans may be having on this.

I am involved with a peer assistance programme alongside my degree in which I help support first year students studying geography and environmental sciences with their academic life.

An interesting fact about environmental science is that in 2022, the UK had around 640,000 people employed in "green jobs" such as environmental science!

I am Zhang Qianchun, a student majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Liverpool, and this year’s IES Student Ambassador. My passion for environmental science stems from a profound curiosity about the systems that sustain life and a strong sense of mission to tackle contemporary environmental challenges. Growing up, I was fascinated by the delicate balance of ecosystems and the visible impacts of human activities on nature. This interest evolved into a commitment during my undergraduate studies, where I began exploring how scientific research and engineering solutions could contribute to a sustainable future.

I am particularly interested in pollution control and mitigation, especially the impact of pollutants like nitrogen and carbon on water and soil quality. I aim to bridge the gap between understanding and practical application through innovative technologies, such as using satellite remote sensing for real-time water quality monitoring, which will also be the focus of my upcoming internship.

One fact that deeply inspires me is the resilience of ecosystems under effective management. Even severely degraded marine ecosystems can recover within decades with scientific intervention. This strengthens my belief in the importance of evidence-based solutions.
Additionally, my academic and practical experiences have fueled my enthusiasm for this field. I have designed experiments to study the impact of human activities on nitrogen levels and algal growth in water bodies, participated in soil carbon cycling research, and worked at an ecological monitoring company. These experiences have sharpened my ability to analyse complex systems and implement solutions, reinforcing my determination to contribute to sustainable environmental practices.