Shannon, Chateaubriand Fellow 2018-2019

What is the subject of your thesis?

I work in environmental geochemistry, I study metal cycling in marine or riverine sediments. Part of my work has been on arsenic and its interaction with manganese oxides in order to understand the transport of arsenic in the river. The project for Chateaubriand Fellowship Program in collaboration with LSCE is focused on metal cycling in marine sediments in the Gulf of Mexico. More particularly, I am working on iron and manganese, how bacteria use those elements and how it may affect the global carbon cycle. By measuring the concentration of those metals we can make assumptions about the main chemical reactions in these environments and infer the role of bacteria on the environment.

One of the benefits of this collaboration between the French and US labs is to compare the Gulf of Mexico and the Rhone River Estuary. They are similar systems in that they have a lot of input from the land, however, we observe differences in the sediment chemistry. The Gulf of Mexico is influenced by the Mississippi River. A study has been done on the Rhone River and the Gulf of Mexico in order to compare them, highlight the differences and similarities, and to understand how the river influences the region around.

How do you study oceans and rivers?

We get out of the laboratory and do different analysis via research campaigns on oceanographic research vessels. For instance we went to the Gulf of Mexico. That trip lasted 4 weeks: 1 week to go to the Gulf of Mexico, and about 2 weeks spent collecting sediment samples every day and deploying ocean landers that sit on the bottom of the ocean and collect data in real time. The majority of the analysis was performed on the ship utilizing voltammetry, spectrophotometry, HPLC and various other methods. However, we had to bring back some samples to the laboratory to analyze them on larger instruments.

What motivated you to come to France via the Chateaubriand Fellowship Program?

My US lab and LSCE had an existing partnership, starting officially about 7 years ago with research on Congo Lobe, Rhone River and Gulf of Mexico. My research advisors, Christophe Rabouille (LSCE) and my advisor in the US Martial Taillefert (Georgia Tech), had known each other previously because they had the same research advisor during their own PhD. Since we had the existing collaboration, we were working together, but it is very beneficial to be in the same time zone, have productive discussions about the data, and work together to write papers summarizing our findings. Furthermore, I have been learning some of their techniques. I have been in the lab a couple of times to learn the type of measurements, so I can take those skills back to my lab in the US.

Moreover it is very productive to be able to work with French collaborators because their expertise is in carbon cycling whereas our expertise is in metal cycling (and manganese in particular) so it is a very nice and complementary partnership. Outside of the professional opportunity, the cultural aspect and the opportunity to live in another country in Europe are a great experience.

Is it complicated to go to France when you are not a French speaker?

In fact it is more complicated, but it is possible as an English speaker. When I arrived I did not know any French, so I have taken French courses. I know some basics that help a lot more.

What are the main differences between France and the US?

The main difference is in public transport. I really appreciate the transport here in France. It is easier to get around in Paris than in Atlanta. From a professional point of view, there is a nice sense of community in the lab. Thanks to general communication, coffee breaks, you feel connected to your environment and to your co-workers. Concerning the lab work I think it really depends on your work and your laboratory. In my personal experience I was independent in my lab in the US with direction from senior graduate students and my advisor. Here, in France, it is different because I spend more time writing than in the lab doing lab work. But I saw that in the lab, although the techniques and analysis are different, the structure seems similar.

But personally, I realize that France is really different from the US. For instance when I am going to Paris or a small town, I really appreciate to take some time to watch the differences in architecture, the presence of cafés outside, in other terms I really enjoy the atmosphere in France.

What do you think about Université Paris-Saclay?

I was very pleased when Université Paris-Saclay welcomed me and explained their organization. They gave me the impression to be very willing to help which I appreciate because the paperwork to come to France is very complicated (finding housing, bank account and so on). Moreover, Université Paris-Saclay seems to be a large network, it offers a lot of opportunities for both private and public research.

What are your plans for the future?

After my PhD, I would like to do a post-doc to gain a few more skills that will be valuable in the oceanography field. It is a nice opportunity for me being in Europe because I am able to make some connections here so possibly I will do a post doc in Europe, in France. But I am also looking for other opportunity in the US as well. Moreover, since I have been a teaching assistant, I had teaching opportunities and I really enjoyed it. So my long term goals could be in a university where I could do courses and research at the same time.

Do you have any advice for future fellows?

First, I would encourage anybody to apply to the Chateaubriand fellowship program because it is a great opportunity to extend your network, learn different skills during a PhD, and learn more about a new culture. For those who are afraid to be alone once in France, some help is provided by Université Paris-Saclay, your advisor in France and other organisations such as Science Accueil. If I had one piece of advice to give it would be do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.