Tiah Louise Bampton
Meet PhD student Tiah from the University of Adelaide, and the 2023 recipient of the Adolph Bolliger Award
What is your current area of research?
I am in the final stages of my PhD at the University of Adelaide working at the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area in South Australia. I work in the realms of palaeontology and stable isotope geochemistry, pairing the two fields to gain a greater understanding of the environment and fauna of the Quaternary. Using these methods I reconstruct the climate and environment of the past directly derived from the fauna living within the environment, and the palaeoecology of extinct fauna, namely rodents, that have little to no ecological records. In particular, I use stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen to determine the diet and water source of rodents to try and understand the drivers of extinction of Australian rodents.
Tell us about your background; what made you interested in research?
As a child, my parents always encouraged my love of rocks and especially fossils. I always wanted to be a geologist until I had a family trip to the Naracoorte Caves and found out what a palaeontologist is and that was it for me, being a palaeontologist became my dream job and Naracoorte my dream field site. My passion for the field only got stronger through school and especially through university. I double majored in geology and evolutionary biology, so I could have the best of both worlds. I started my honours in geology with a focus on applying stable isotope geochemistry on fossils to reconstruct climate and environment in Blanche Cave at the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area. Once I had my foot in the door at Naracoorte there was no turning back for me. I formed a little niche with isotopes at Naracoorte and began broadening the application to also look at palaeoecology and had the pleasure of leading a palaeontological excavation in one of the tourist caves.
What are some of the highlights from following this career path?
There are many highlights so far but there are definitely some that standout. I have been interviewed for ABC interviews and an article for my palaeontological dig in Alexandra Cave. And of course, leading the first systematic palaeontological dig of Alexandra Cave has been a massive highlight. Another was being a panel member on the opening night of ‘A Curious Thing: The story of Mary Anning’, where we discussed women in palaeontology.
What do you consider are some of your best achievements?
I have been very fortunate to present at some brilliant conferences. I presented a talk at the International Union for Quaternary Research 2023 XXI INQUA Roma congress – ‘Time For Change’, where I represented my research group and our wonderful field site. I have also received awards at other conferences such as the Adolph Bolliger Award for Best spoken presentation by a student at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Mammal Society and the Geological Society of Australia (Victoria Division) CAVEPS 2023 Student Prize for excellence in research on the geologic context of vertebrate fossils at the18th Conference on Australasian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology & Systematics.
What is your favourite activity in mammal research?
Obviously, Fieldwork and outreach are the best parts! Exploring caves I'm always on the lookout for fossils and beautiful stratigraphic sequences and seeing pure and untouched cave formations makes the bruises and squeezes worth it.
Being able to share the passion and love I have for my field with fellow scientists and with anyone who will listen is the most important part of my job. Inspiring others, especially kids, to consider the fantastic field of palaeontology and geology, just as I received as a kid, is what keeps the wheels of our field turning. You never know when you will be shaping the future of our field.
Do you have an interesting mammal anecdote?
As my field sites are tourist caves with daily tours I am always coming across tours while doing research. One of my favourite interactions with a tour was when a school group came into Alexandra Cave. The tour guide knew I was in a small tunnel and decided not to bring the tour over. I had finished my work for the day and could hear them nearby. For fun, I popped out of the small entrance tunnel from my excavation site and accidentally frightened the school group and the guide. After assuring them I was a person and not a cave goblin I was able to have a great chat with the group.
Do you have any advice for other students interested in mammalogy?
Always follow your passion and the field you like, but never turn down an opportunity to pursue another field that interests you. I always wanted to be a palaeontologist and geologist but never considered geochemistry. After reading an honours project proposal focusing on geochemistry on fossils I decided to give it a go. You never know when you will find your niche in your dream field.
Post a comment
You must log in or register to post comments.
If you are visiting this form to renew your membership enter your email address and password below.
Click on the forgotten password option if you are not sure of your password.