Muhammed Fa�h Sert (Turkey) I am an alumnus of the NF-POGO-CofE training programme during 20102011 at the Bermuda Ins�tute Ocean Sciences (BIOS). Currently, I am reading for my PhD at the Arc�c University of Norway and I would like to give a brief account of my research work here. I am specializing in methane hydrate research (h�ps://cage.uit.no/), in par�cular, methane driven dissolved organic ma�er dynamics in the Arc�c Ocean. Dissocia�ng gas hydrates, submerged permafrost and gas bearing sediments, release methane into the water column. The seeping methane dissolves and it supports the growth of aerobic methanothrophs. As a result of their metabolic ac�vity, organic intermediates and cell lysis products are released into the water column and contribute to the dissolved organic ma�er pool. Considering the massive flux of methane and elevated rates of methane oxida�on, methane driven dissolved organic ma�er contribu�on may be an important control on the water column biogeochemistry and food web structure. We published our first research paper from this project (h�ps://www.fron�ersin.org/ar�cles/10.3389/ feart.2020.552731/full) and are working on two other manuscripts for a complementary study. It’s been 10 years since I completed my NF-POGO training. Looking back, I can clearly see that all the skills I gained through the programme have basically shaped my career in marine sciences. It guided me through the ini�al steps of marine observa�on, and provided the best possible learning environment for almost every aspect of oceanography. Even a�er ten years, I s�ll use the same skills that I developed and frequently reapply the techniques which were introduced to me for the first �me. In my teaching, I frequently use the materials and techniques that I learnt and prac�sed in Bermuda which were disseminated by the most prominent researchers in their respec�ve areas. Being a NANO member also means belonging to a scien�fic community, which has members from around the globe. It enhances the possibility to collaborate, to establish new research and to keep socializing in mail groups and at scien�fic conferences. A�er ten years, I am s�ll grateful to be a NANO member and so thankful to the people who made it all possible for us. I sincerely hope that the programme will con�nue and will provide opportuni�es for the next genera�on of researchers.
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Onur Karakus (Turkey) I am currently a PhD student at the Alfred Wegener Ins�tute. My main research interest is to understand and model the biogeochemical processes in the ocean, while focusing on representa�on of zooplankton in biogeochemical models. Also, as I am interested in the carbon cycle, I would like to use those models to understand the effects of the climate crisis that we are facing severely. A�er a great 10 months of training in NF-POGO CofE in Helgoland, I went back to Turkey and completed my master's degree. Now I am back at AWI, the place where I am reading for my PhD. The NF-POGO-CofE training not only provided the lectures and prac�cal, but also the contacts with a lot of great scien�sts which helped us to build a career path in research. Also, I should not forget my fellow scholars (CofE Germany - year 4) from all over the world. It was great to meet all of them!
Contact us: info@nf-pogo-alumni.org NANO website: www.nf-pogo-alumni.org
