I’m steering my career to combine my passions as a BioDesigner with being an explorer and researcher, understanding and working symbiotically with nature is essential to be successful and sustainable in this field of work. I have been loving learning how to design with nature, not against it and I wish for this ethos to be harnessed in all fields of work and walks of life. Over the past few years I’ve won multiple scholarships based on my innovative BioDesign ideas which embody coexisting with nature. These range from harnessing the beauty and power of bioluminescent algae to create living interactive clothing; designing personalised garments which grow to the shape of the body using bacteria; to incorporating extremophiles within garments to increase our chances of survival in extreme environments. I’m continuously motivated and inspired by the natural world and continue learn from it every day. The ethos and mentality of learning to coexist with nature and the ocean is so imperative and is a shift that needs to happen in our global community in order to protect our ecosystems before it is too late. People seem to not care about something that doesn’t impact them, if we combine BioDesign into the everyday world and connect people with the environment around them we will be able to educate and change people’s actions to live harmoniously with nature.
Designing with sustainability in mind is essential to create a product which can begin to exist symbiotically with nature. We must ensure that our actions protect and regenerate the environments we explore. This ethos drives my work as exploration and innovation work hand in hand, and if done correctly and conscientiously can lead toward a world where we can coexist with the environment around us. An example of my work embodying this concept is through my current involvement with Ocean Culture Life – a storytelling and educational community dedicated to raising awareness on ocean-based issues. I am their Sustainable Textile and Merchandise volunteer, re-designing a new seaweed-based textile range for their merchandise line. I am connecting with seaweed-based fabric innovators such as Pyratex, Ecosphere and Keel Labs to explore the potential for this project to take form. Ecosphere and Keel Labs have already agreed to collaborate together under my direction, to set up a new manufacturing location in the UK where Keel Labs fibre can be turned into textile at Ecosphere’s spinning factory. If this project goes ahead OCL will be the first organisation in the UK to take this step towards a 100% seaweed-based merchandise line! It is amazing to be a part of this community that not only champion and amplify problems happening related to the ocean, but also want to extend their mission and ethos of coexisting with the oceans right through to their merchandise. OCL has expanded my network to connect with marine biologists involved with the Sheba Hope Grows project which will provide valuable insight for my thesis design.
I have also just joined the community of SHE Changes Ocean, a collaborative initiative dedicated to driving more women-inclusive decision making, empowering women working at the forefront of ocean health – I am excited to see where this will take me. It would be an incredible opportunity to explore the reefs in the Seychelles and learn from leading scientists. I have already my Advanced PADI and I am actively seeking more expeditions which will advance my knowledge and diving skills. I want to become a PADI Divemaster so that I can expand the variety of projects I can apply my unique background of BioDesign, exploration and conservation to, which is why I am applying to research divemaster internships for when I graduate!
