Ancuta Asandei - BSc (Hons), MSc

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Telephone: office: +44 (0)1392 263357 

In 2007 I successfully completed my undergraduate degree in Romania at ‘Alexandru Ioan Cuza’ University, Iasi (http://www.uaic.ro/uaic/bin/view/Main/?language=en), in the Department of Biology (http://www.uaic.ro/uaic/bin/view/Academic/Biologie?language=en). As part of the ‘Ecology and Environment Protection’ specialisation I studied a broad panel of subjects from microbiology, systematic botany and zoology to haematology and human anatomy. My final thesis called “Investigations concerning the origin, morphology and anatomy of some cultivated plant species with nutritional value” helped me develop the first skills as a researcher and enabled me to aspire to gain even further knowledge in the fascinating world of environmental sciences.

Looking to evolve and become a specialist in an area of interest I continued my studies in 2007 with a masters at Royal Holloway University of London, where it became clearer what my interests were and what was the next natural step to take. The final thesis: “Evaluation of Environment Agency sediment sampling strategies used in the environment monitoring programme around Sellafield” was the result of a 5 months independent project supported and guided by the Environment Agency, time during which I gained a valuable amount of experience and polished some vital skills. I officially graduated in 2009 and moved on job hunting for the perfect opportunity to advance in my career.

After a period of intense searching and planning my next move, in 2010 I was offered a joint PhD studentship from SCRI and University of Exeter, which I currently enjoy working on. The project regards vital soil processes that are and can be further affected by climate change: “Global warming: Impacts on soil temperatures and carbon mineralisation rates”.