Dr Jodie Fisher - Ask a Palaeontologist

26 Jul 2022

This month we chat to Jodie Fisher, Senior Technician at the University of Plymouth.

• Name: Jodie Fisher
• Job: Senior Technician
• Location: University of Plymouth

What inspired you to become a scientist?

I always loved science at school. Getting hands-on with real things and finding out how they worked, or being outside in nature and finding out about the amazing world we live in really inspired me.

What inspired you to become a palaeontologist?

I kind of fell into palaeontology. Studying geology I loved all aspects of the subject and initially opted to specialise in tectonics and volcanoes, however when I started my masters project looking at the impact of the eruption of Mt Pinatubo, I was thrown into the world of micropalaeontology and quicker found that palaeontology isn’t all about drawing fossils and long latin names. Fossils can be geology’s problem solvers and microfossils particularly so. From dating rocks, to recording past climates in their shells, to answering questions about past (and future) life on Earth, fossils really are an amazing resource for all Earth Scientists.

Describe your work/job

As a technician I get to enjoy a really varied role. Running our Earth Science research laboratories I support students and staff in their research, teaching them analytical techniques, support and providing expertise in all things from microfossils to geochemistry. I also get the chance to some of my own research, supervise students and teach across a number of modules. I look after Health and Safety for my labs too and enjoy getting out in the field when I can (not as often as I would like unfortunately).

What’s the best part of your job?

Supporting and teaching the students. My lab sees a huge variety of students and projects undertaking various projects in the lab. I love the diversity of topics and being able to help support them in imaging, analysis and more.

What other jobs have you done?

Everything from waitress to children’s shoe fitter! I even worked briefly as a geological conservator, at the Royal Cornwall Museum whilst writing up my PhD. A fantastic job and I loved the museum environment.

What were your favourite subjects at school?

Science and CDT. I just loved anything hands-on rather than being sat in the classroom.

Where did you study geoscience/palaeontology?

I studied my BSc Geology at the University of Leicester, followed by an MRes in Environmental Science at UCL. I then went on to do my PhD at the University of Plymouth where I specialised in using micropalaeontology and geochemisty to look at past climates 100 Million years ago!

What hobbies do you have outside of palaeontology?

Being outside, and running after my children! Living by the sea we are really lucky to be able to do lots of watersports, and I recently rediscovered how much I loved sea swimming and paddleboarding. I also love running when I can and getting out for walks on the moors.

What is your favourite fossil?

I study formainifera, basically single celled organisms with a shell. And they are AMAZING! My favourites are agglutinated foraminifera and these organisms make their test (shell) from the sediments in which they live. Not only do they make their tests from these sediments some are incredibly picky using only certain types of grains or bits of other organisms. One of my favourites is Reophax spiculifer that only uses sponge spicules to make its test. Pretty incredible for an organism made of just 1 cell!

What’s your favourite place that you have travelled to study palaeontology?

My most favourite geological location is Ardnamurchan in the Scottish highlands. Well known for its amazing igneous rocks and life as an extinct volcano these rocks cut through a fantastic section of Jurassic sediments jam packed with ammonites, belemnites and gryphea. Cross cut with later dykes, vent agglomerates and even some amygdaloidal basalt, I love the way you can see the relationships between the different phases of geological history in a really, really beautiful place.

Why is it important for us to study palaeontology?

As we try and look to the future and the impact that we are currently having on the Earth palaeontology can be key! Studying past life can help us to understand how the Earth has changed in the past, how climate has impacted living things, and in understanding the devastating impact humans are currently having. The fossils that we study enable us to reconstruct palaeoclimates and palaeoenvironments to see how the Earth changes over millions and millions of years. Learning from this past climate change gives us an insight into how life has survived, how some animals become extinct, and how life has endured throughout geological time. Bringing this knowledge into the current crisis can help us to shape policy and future directions for hopefully reducing the climate change we are currently seeing.  

What advice would you give to somebody interested in becoming a palaeontologist?

Take any opportunities you can to volunteer at your local museum, or with local groups that may be involved in the local geology. Many museums/universities and local organisations often organise events you can attend too, and you could even join Rockwatch a club for children interested in Geology and palaeontology with a fantastic website and events!

Jodie Online

• Follow Jodie on Twitter -  @DrJodieFisher
• Check out Jodie's webpage https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/jodie-fisher