Catherine is in her fourth and final year of studying Earth Science. This will be her first scientific research expedition, although in 2010 she was part of a World Challenge expedition to Croatia where she first honed essential field and teamwork skills. Throughout her university career fieldwork classes have always been one of her favourite elements of the degree and she undertook her three week independent mapping project on the Isle of Skye where she gained confidence in undertaking geological analysis in the field. In Skye she was able to study a number of pyroclastic rock types, which piqued her interest in the field of volcanology. The Ol Doinyo Lengai expedition will be her first in association with the university and she is extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to work in conjunction with the expedition society and with her peers and supervisors looking at the volcanic rocks and geological structure of the ‘world’s strangest volcano.’

Within the team, Catherine acts as the Creative Director for the expedition. This role will involve designing the expedition logo and driving the creative direction of educational, promotional and video blogs. She is currently the Publicist for the Glasgow University Earth Science Society, undertaking the creative rebranding of the society in 2014. This experience, together with a background in design and dramatics, means that she can bring all the necessary creativity needed to this role. Catherine also acted as part of the sub-team which compiled the expedition risk assessment and this has given her an insight into the environment in which we will be working and an appreciation for the uniqueness of the volcanic setting.