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Congratulations to Dr. Femi Anna Thomas
Posted 1 month ago
Dr. Femi Anna Thomas, Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at Union Christian College, Kerala, has achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected to participate in the prestigious 44th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. Representing her institution and state, she will be part of a scientific mission to the icy wilderness of Antarctica from December 2024 to March 2025, focusing on a critical and timely research topic: “Understanding Microplastic Pollution and Plastisphere Community Dynamics in Antarctic Environments: Implications for Conservation and Management.”
This ambitious project is a collaborative venture with Dr. Anu Gopinath, Professor and Head, Department of Aquatic Environment Management at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). Approved by the National Committee on Polar Program (NCPP) and facilitated by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Goa, the project aims to shed light on the far-reaching impacts of microplastics and associated microbial communities in one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems.
Selection for this expedition was no small feat. Dr. Femi successfully cleared the stringent medical examination at AIIMS, Delhi, and completed the snow acclimatization training conducted by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Auli, Uttarakhand, in August 2024. The rigorous 11-day program included trekking, rock-craft, rappelling, and snow-tent pitching, all designed to prepare the team for the extreme Antarctic conditions. “The training was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, teaching us teamwork and resilience in the face of harsh environments.
Dr. Femi’s Antarctic mission will involve an ocean voyage for sampling and intensive fieldwork near India’s Antarctic research stations, Bharati and Maitri. Her study will contribute to the global understanding of environmental conservation and sustainable management practices for polar regions.
Dr. Femi is no stranger to polar science. She previously participated in the Indian Arctic Expeditions in 2017 and 2018, where she conducted pioneering PhD research on bacterial diversity and metal-bacterial interactions in Arctic glacier and marine ecosystems. Under the mentorship of the late Dr. K. P. Krishnan, a pioneer in India’s Arctic operations, her research resulted in significant publications in high-impact journals such as Science of the Total Environment and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.
Her work also led to the discovery of a novel bacterial species, Phenylobacterium glaciei sp. nov., from Arctic glacier ice—a testament to her scientific acumen. This work was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Dr. Femi also represented India at the Arctic Frontiers Emerging Leaders Program 2020 to discuss about the Arctic Sustainability, Potentials & Vulnerabilities in Norway, and the program was fully funded by the Norwegian Embassy.
The first time I stepped foot in Ny-Ålesund, Arctic, in 2017, I was overwhelmed by excitement and the challenge of completing all the research within 45 days. The sight of melting glaciers and Atlantic water intrusion underscored the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. During her time in the Arctic, she encountered the enchanting Arctic wildlife, including foxes, seals, and reindeer, and formed lifelong bonds with fellow researchers.
As she now embarks on this Antarctic adventure, she views it as another opportunity to unravel the mysteries of microbial ecosystems in polar environments. “I look forward to meeting new microbial friends in the South Pole and dedicating this work to my mentor, Dr. K. P. Krishnan,” she said.
Dr. Femi is among the few Malayalees to have participated in both Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, an achievement that places her at the forefront of polar research in India.
As she prepares to venture into the icy expanses of Antarctica, Dr. Femi carries with her the hopes and pride of Union Christian College and Kerala, setting a benchmark for scientific excellence in polar research. We wish her success in her journey and groundbreaking discoveries in the frozen frontier!
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