Researcher biography
Qualifications:
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Applied Geology from Presidency University, Kolkata, India.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Geology (Hons.) from Jagannath Kishore College, Purulia, India, affiliated to Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University.
Project title:
Phytoliths from modern soils of Australia and their application in Quaternary sediments.
Project description:
Phytoliths are tiny silica structures that form within living plants and become deposited in the underlying soil after the plant's death and decay. Consequently, the composition of phytoliths in soil can serve as a historical record of past plant communities. Phytoliths are particularly well-preserved in arid and semi-arid regions with aerobic conditions, where other indicators like palynomorphs, charcoal, and macrofossils may be scarce. This makes phytoliths an increasingly valuable tool for reconstructing the paleovegetation dynamics of grasslands. In the context of paleoecological research, the development of a comprehensive modern reference collection is essential. Such a collection is vital for facilitating the taxonomic identification and comparison of phytoliths. The primary goal of my Ph.D. project is to establish an extensive modern reference collection of phytoliths derived from Australian soils. Additionally, the project will investigate the utility of phytoliths in the examination of Quaternary sediments in Australia.
Funding:
ARC Discovery Project
Advisors/supervisors:
Principal Advisor: Dr. Francesca McInerney; Co-Advisor: Prof. Patrick Moss; Asso. Prof. Alison J Crowther