Julia Matheson Technicienne en recherche, Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS)

Julia Matheson

Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) Research Technician

Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)

Created On: March 20, 2015
Sector:
Science
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Biology,  Ecosystems,  Earth Science,  Oceans,  Science

Learn About My Career

Julia Matheson is the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) Research Technician for the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS).

I was born/grew up in: Brantford, ON, Canada

I now live in: St. George's, Bermuda

I completed my training/education at: Western University

I am responsible for the HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments in BATS water samples collected from the Sargasso Sea. I am also a core member of the seagoing BATS team, going out on the research vessel (R/V Atlantic Explorer) about 10 days per month.

My job is 60-70% High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of water samples that are taken on research cruises to the BATS site. This means I am responsible for operating the high-performance liquid chromatography machine on a daily basis. This involves preparing samples using a vortex, centrifuge, solvents, and filtration. I then make up the reagents required to show the pigments of interest and prepare the machine. Once everything is ready, I check the readout for each sample to ensure everything worked properly.

I am also responsible for analyzing the data and entering the data into the system. My colleagues use special software to generate the data set that is released for use by the general scientific community. When we go to sea, we operate 24 hours/day so it is a very productive voyage. We deploy the CTD that takes measurements of physical and biogeochemical ocean conditions and collects water samples. To learn more about the BATS program, check this article. 

I left high school wanting to be a science teacher. After taking some teaching courses, I realized I wanted to stay involved in research and switch to Environmental Sciences. I loved geography, earth sciences, biology, and hydrology. In my fourth year I had a "mini-thesis" where I learned how to use High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to look at algal pigments from lake sediment cores in Kenya. From there I did a Masters in Biology looking at harmful marine algae. During my masters I took a course at BIOS in Bermuda. Following my Masters I did a 6 month internship at BIOS in the microbial observatory tracking lignin degradation by microbes. I was then offered a full-time position as an HPLC tech with the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) at BIOS.

It is a great feeling to be involved in the entire process of the study. It goes from getting to go out onto the ship and take water samples, and bringing them back to the lab to process them. After we analyze the data we start asking questions about trends and correlations. This may lead to new studies.

We are able to work on independent research during any downtime that we can then present at conferences and/or publish in scientific journals. The job can involve a lot of international travel, as the ship goes from Bermuda to Puerto Rico once a year, and conferences can be anywhere in the world, which is also great.

Researchers are able to use our massive data set, which goes all the way back to 1988. They can use it to study long term trends in open ocean conditions such as ocean acidification, warming, and carbon flux. It is imperative that long term studies like BATS continue as a way of tracking these changes.

Bermuda is an amazing spot to work. I am able to go out boating, wakeboarding, sailing, running, and hiking nearly year-round.

Contact either the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science (BIOS BATS) or University of Hawaii (HOTS) about summer courses, internships, or positions!

What I do at work

I am responsible for the HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments in BATS water samples collected from the Sargasso Sea. I am also a core member of the seagoing BATS team, going out on the research vessel (R/V Atlantic Explorer) about 10 days per month.

My job is 60-70% High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of water samples that are taken on research cruises to the BATS site. This means I am responsible for operating the high-performance liquid chromatography machine on a daily basis. This involves preparing samples using a vortex, centrifuge, solvents, and filtration. I then make up the reagents required to show the pigments of interest and prepare the machine. Once everything is ready, I check the readout for each sample to ensure everything worked properly.

I am also responsible for analyzing the data and entering the data into the system. My colleagues use special software to generate the data set that is released for use by the general scientific community. When we go to sea, we operate 24 hours/day so it is a very productive voyage. We deploy the CTD that takes measurements of physical and biogeochemical ocean conditions and collects water samples. To learn more about the BATS program, check this article. 

My career path is

I left high school wanting to be a science teacher. After taking some teaching courses, I realized I wanted to stay involved in research and switch to Environmental Sciences. I loved geography, earth sciences, biology, and hydrology. In my fourth year I had a "mini-thesis" where I learned how to use High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to look at algal pigments from lake sediment cores in Kenya. From there I did a Masters in Biology looking at harmful marine algae. During my masters I took a course at BIOS in Bermuda. Following my Masters I did a 6 month internship at BIOS in the microbial observatory tracking lignin degradation by microbes. I was then offered a full-time position as an HPLC tech with the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) at BIOS.

I am motivated by

It is a great feeling to be involved in the entire process of the study. It goes from getting to go out onto the ship and take water samples, and bringing them back to the lab to process them. After we analyze the data we start asking questions about trends and correlations. This may lead to new studies.

We are able to work on independent research during any downtime that we can then present at conferences and/or publish in scientific journals. The job can involve a lot of international travel, as the ship goes from Bermuda to Puerto Rico once a year, and conferences can be anywhere in the world, which is also great.

How I affect peoples’ lives

Researchers are able to use our massive data set, which goes all the way back to 1988. They can use it to study long term trends in open ocean conditions such as ocean acidification, warming, and carbon flux. It is imperative that long term studies like BATS continue as a way of tracking these changes.

Outside of work I

Bermuda is an amazing spot to work. I am able to go out boating, wakeboarding, sailing, running, and hiking nearly year-round.

My advice to others

Contact either the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science (BIOS BATS) or University of Hawaii (HOTS) about summer courses, internships, or positions!

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Foreign Languages
  • Foods and Nutrition
  • Geography
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Science

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Liked helping people
  • Was motivated by success
  • Liked being given specific instructions
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Liked reading
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Wasn't sure what I wanted to do

Related Topics

Aquatic Ecosystems Careers Careers 8 Careers 9 Experiments Ocean Currents Oceans Research Methods Scientific Practices

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