Dear researchers,
My name is Elio Mattia, PhD in Chemistry, and I am embarking on a polar expedition to the high Arctic on S/Y Fairwinds, a 54ft / 16m steel ketch headed for the ice cap via the Svalbard archipelago. The journey is starting in Stavanger in early March 2019, spanning the entire boreal summer, with the months of May-September planned in the high Arctic.
I am looking into expanding the established research activities aboard the vessel and therefore seeking interesting projects for collaboration.
As well as having the privilege to contribute towards positive research, it might be interesting for research groups to be able to collaborate with a crew already involved in an expedition, for we could collect useful data during our fieldwork without the necessity for a dedicated expedition ship to be deployed.
The easiest collaboration option is that we can contribute by collecting samples and installing and hosting research instruments, e.g., additional echo sounders, analytical, and atmospheric equipment (and other devices compatible with the limited space and size of the boat), e.g., in an available thru-hull, trailing, on the mast, or otherwise. We are currently running a project using a trailing 200 micron net to sample micro plastics pollution in the ocean, and will likely collaborate on another project on echo sounding marine biota in the high Arctic / Fram Strait, in relationship with global warming and carbon transport in the deep ocean.
There is the additional possibility that we could host researchers to join for a given period of time to follow us during our expedition, or even charter the boat for specific Arctic research needs. In such cases we would need to discuss logistics thoroughly in order to manage any possible overlaps between projects.
I would be delighted to be able to collaborate with other Arctic Science researchers during our expedition. Since email attachments are not desired in Cryolist, I will provide a recent CV via email (also available at the top of the Bio section at https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/members/people/13027) should that be of interest to you.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
With best wishes,
Elio Mattia
