Pirta Palola
I’m Pirta, a recent graduate from the University of Oxford. I am currently preparing to start my PhD in the Seascape Ecology Lab.
I have a deep interest in understanding the interconnectivity between complex ecological and socio-economic systems. Thus, in addition to marine biology, I also have expertise in economics.
In my current research, I study land-sea connectivity and work on the development of a remote sensing and modelling system for the three-dimensional land-sea continuum. The overarching aim of my research is to turn scientific knowledge into practical solutions that allow for an improved management of the coastal environment. The research is conducted in collaboration between the University of Oxford and École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris Sciences Lettres.
In my MSc dissertation at Oxford, I explored the effects of non-additive interactions between multiple anthropogenic stressors on the diverse values associated with the marine environment. In the dissertation for my undergraduate degree at the University of Helsinki, I examined the often-cascading effects of climate change on ecosystem processes in the Arctic Ocean, with a focus on primary production. I have experience of fieldwork from, for example, the Åland Islands, where I participated in the mapping of the Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) metapopulation.
I am passionate about protecting the seas and really enjoy sailing and scuba diving. I also love music and playing the viola.
Follow Pirta on Twitter: @PalolaPirta