I think I was in year 9 or 10 when I saw a documentary on the Three Gorges Dam in China, and I was just so fascinated by the problem-solving, the innovation, the sheer size of the project. It definitely inspired me to continue engineering throughout my GCSEs and A levels, and then onto degree level at Bristol, where I studied Civil Engineering. I loved every second of it, especially having to think outside the box. I was extremely fortunate to receive a scholarship for my undergraduate and MScR research from the Harriet Munro Scholarship via the University's Philanthropy Office.

My research project

My project looks at the environmental impacts of micro hydroelectric dams in Nepal. This was sparked by a research project I did during my undergraduate degree, and how on the face of things hydropower is viewed as being really environmentally-friendly, but that’s not necessarily the case. 

I couldn’t travel to Nepal for my research so I had to look at remote methods of research and data. It quickly became apparent that the methods used in existing literature weren’t really suitable, so my research became about exploring this directly. That’s when I came across a modelling R package called riverconn. It was a very new method, so I used it to carry out some studies in the UK in order to understand more about it and gauge whether it would be suitable for application in Nepal for future research. I was actually able to get in touch with the creator of the software, which was really helpful. 

A meeting of minds 

Cabot offers lots of opportunities for networking, but by far the most valuable event for me was taking part in – and winning – an Impact and Engagement Award that allowed me to attend a conference in Dubrovnik. People in general don’t really understand my research so to be in a room full of people doing similar work was just brilliant. I made a lot of really valuable contacts and met some truly inspirational people. It was probably the most amazing opportunity I’ve ever had in my life! 

Nothing to lose 

I never thought I’d be research-focused but I’m so glad I gave it a go because I love it! I’ve done so much learning this past year, and I want to continue doing so with a PhD. The MScR is a fantastic opportunity to explore something that you’re interested in, and to really see whether you want to take it further. And if at the end you decide you don’t, you still have an amazing qualification to your name.