Aerosolve - Faith February
Faith February: Physical Oceanographer; PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town in Dr Katye Altieri's research group; OceanWomxn fellow.
Her Research: Faith studies marine aerosols, tiny particles that are created when waves crash and when the wind stirs the ocean up. They are a very important part of our understanding of global warming, as these particles reflect and absorb heat and energy and are involved in cloud formation, but we don’t know nearly enough about them. Faith’s research will help change what we know about marine aerosols and inform the computer models that predict how our climate is changing.
So then what are these aerosols? When you go to the beach and feel that mist that coats everything, you’re feeling the beginnings of the aerosols that Faith studies. Those droplets of water, salt, and other organic molecules that you can feel are quite big. The water continues to evaporate the longer that they exist and eventually they become tiny particles as small as bacteria (1 micron big - there are 1000 microns in 1 millimeter) or even smaller. They drift in the atmosphere and though they are small, the fact that there are trillions and trillions of them means that, collectively, how they scatter and absorb heat and light really matters.
Faith captures counts and analyses marine aerosols in False Bay, outside of Cape Town. Because the wind blows from the South and the nearest land to False Bay is thousands of kilometers away in Antarctica, Faith is able to measure what marine aerosols are like without interference from land, pollution and other aerosol sources. These measurements can then be included in climate models and compared to other locations.
You can read more about her in the international magazine Forbes or watch her share her science with other scientists.
What sparked your interest in science? “My curiosity about how things work and the eagerness to help others with Maths and Science led me to do a BSc degree in Physics and Mathematics at University.”
Have you ever failed a subject? “Oh yeah! I failed Chemistry miserably in my first year of varsity and I also failed Maths in my 3rd year, but that did not deter me to follow my dream to become a scientist.”
Her Heroes: “My dad, Abraham October. He is so steadfast in his faith and at the age of 83 he still walks to church and prayer meetings. To me he is a great inspiration and encouragement. Prof. Phakeng and Dr. Altieri. They are both women in STEM and such well-rounded individuals. I aspire to be at the forefront of my research field and still maintain a balanced life as they do.”
Rank in order the following characteristics you need to succeed? hard work, creativity, curiosity, and communication. What else do you need? positivity and determination.
Her strengths as a scientist: Presenting, educating, science communication
Connect with Faith: Twitter @februaryfaith ; LinkedIn Faith February