Alix Post

Dr Alix Post is a Marine Geoscientist at Geoscience Australia in Canberra. She
first joined the organisation in 2002 as a graduate, and now works in the Seabed Mapping and Characterisation group (SMAC for short). The focus of her work is to investigate whether the physical properties of the sea bed can be used to map the distributions and diversity of the fauna and flora that live there.

Her interest in marine geology began at the University of Tasmania, where she completed an Honours degree in 1998, and then a PhD in 2004. Her studies then were focussed on the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean, and in her work she developed an understanding of the climate record contained in microfossils.

Her interest in microfossils also extends to the living biota. "I am keen to see what the biologists might find lurking on the sea floor during this voyage," says Dr Post. "Hopefully nothing too smelly!"

Through this voyage she is hoping that we can add to our understanding of what lives where, and why. In addition to collecting sediment samples during the voyage, Alix will be responsible for some of the sea bed mapping equipment, in particular the sub-bottom profiler. Profiles of the seabed will reveal the underlying sediments and basement rocks, which will help to define the different types of benthic habitats.

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Updated: 29/03/07