​Humans of ASE part 3: Wenshu – PhD student and TA

Humans of ASE is a nine-part interview series by the ASE Club Publicity team (previously published on Instagram). This part features YAP Wenshu, PhD student studying coastal hazard, and teaching assistant.

 

Wenshu working in the lab. 

 

Could you do a quick self-introduction? Include an interesting fact about yourself.

I am a 3rd year Ph.D. candidate under Assoc Prof Federico Lauro. My background is Plant Sciences, but I am now studying Earth Sciences related subject.

 

What is your main area of expertise/research focus?

My research is about studying historical coastal hazard events from geological records using the microbial approach.

 

What drew you to this specific area of interest? (i.e. your origin story)

I got the opportunity to work with Adam Switzer as an RA in his lab that is focusing on coastal hazard study. I was assigned to work on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami project in Thailand and India. This work experience triggered my interest in this field, that’s how I started my journey with the wave and sediments.

 

What would you like to say to aspiring earth scientists/students who might wish to join this course?

ASE is a school that provides a platform for students who are interested in environment and sustainability issues. The course is not limited to classroom lectures and exercises, but also hands-on field experience that is useful for future work application. This is the best course for any aspiring earth scientist/students because we are equipped with world-class researchers and we are located at equatorial where all sort of earth science related studies are needed but limited.