October 31, 2018

Antarctica research trip the opportunity of a lifetime for science graduate

Jack Simmons relishes sharing love of chemistry with local school students

The past four years at the University of Wollongong have been an adventure for Jack Simmons.

His degree has taken him to the tip of the world and back, a rare opportunity for an undergraduate student, and seen him spend six months among the breathtaking scenery of Colorado, in the United States.

Graduating today with an International Bachelor of Science (Honours), Jack said he has loved his time at UOW, and relished every experience he has had along the way.

A passionate scientist, Jack has spent his years at UOW juggling his studies with his role as a science mentor.

He has travelled to schools throughout the region to share his passion with school students, and also been a mentor for the annual UOW Science Fair, run by the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.

He is also passionate about sustainability and, as a member of UOW’s Enviro Collective, has been a driving force behind the environmentally-conscious changes that have been occurring on campus, such as the introduction of Boomerang Bags in the IGA, and encouraging students to bring reusable coffee cups and cutlery.

“I’ve had a great time at UOW,” said Jack, who majored in Chemistry. “I was drawn to the degree because I was really interested in science at high school, but I’m also interested in the global challenges facing the world, and the degree really covered both those areas.

“Science is exciting in its scope. Nothing stands on its own, it’s all connected. Chemistry is part of the basis for all that; it is the weather, the climate, the air we breathe and the environment around us.”

Early on in his degree, Jack became involved with the Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry at UOW. It provided him with an insight into where his love for chemistry could lead, but it also provided him with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – taking part in a research trip to Antarctica.

He spent two months aboard the CSIRO marine research vessel, the RV Investigator, as it voyaged to East Antarctica last year.

Jack Simmons after disembarking from the Antarctica research vessel last year. Photo: Paul Jones

It was a dream for the research student, who measured particles in the atmosphere of the far Southern Ocean.

The data gathered during that adventure provided the basis of Jack’s honours research.

“It was completely different to what I expected,” Jack said of the trip. “But it was an incredible experience. It was an opportunity to see what is involved in scientific research in the real world.”

In the future, Jack hopes to combine his love of science education with his love of research.

“It’s great to be able to connect with students. It’s really validating to see them get excited about science.”