Dr Vince Chukwu

Biography

I graduated with a Master of Science degree in Environmental Microbiology with Distinction as the best graduating student in 2015. In 2016, I was awarded the prestigious University of Aberdeen Elphinstone PhD scholarship to pursue a PhD degree in Environmental science at the University of Aberdeen. My success in being awarded an Elphinstone PhD scholarship further demonstrates my potential as a early career researcher in the field of science. In 4th July, 2022, I graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a PhD in Environmental Science. I have published seven research articles as lead author. In recognition of my achievements in postdoctoral academic research, I was endorsed by the Royal Society as a potential Global Talent under the Exceptional Promise category. In recognition of the significant contribution of my research in environmental, agricultural and soil science, I have been awarded a number of research grants. I was awarded the highly competitive Federation of European Microbiology societies, School of Biological sciences early career research and travel grant, and the Alfred Clyne scholarship and Charles Sutherland Scholarship to conduct experimental field work overseas, consolidate the laboratory costs of my research and to attend academic conferences in the UK and Europe. I have also received conference travel grants from the British Society of Soil Science and the Microbiology Society, for conference and meeting attendance. Since my arrival to the UK in 2017 for my PhD research, I have contributed to the wider society and the University community. I have supported the university community as a Unibuddy Volunteer and as a STEM Ambassador. During my PhD studentship, I also served as a student ambassador to the School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen. I supported both prospective and current postgraduate students with vital information concerning living and studying in Aberdeen. 

Prizes and Awards

1. UK Royal society endorsement

2. Individual Excellence in Stem Innovation award

Research Overview

I am a Research Science professional with years of experience in applied research, with a focus on soil assessments focused on delivery of climate mitigation benefits, sustainable land use and management, environmental sustainability, and mitigating the impact of climate change on environmental function through targeted monitoring and modelling to inform policy and environmental regulation.

Current Research

My current role is associated with the delivering of Research Fellowship and associated activities in the School of Biological sciences on the Holistics management activities, modelling and monitoring for European forest soils Holisoil European Commission project. 

Past Research

1. Scientist-short rotation forestry (Soil and Climate change) - During 2022, I was recruited as a Research Scientist at Forest Research to work on short rotation forestry. I led the team on database analysis and construction, field work and scientific writing for delivery of data on tree growth in UK short rotation forestry and agroforestry systems to the client, UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

2. Research scientist/consultant (Soil Carbon) - After the successful completion of my PhD research in 2022, I was employed as a Research Consultant in the Soil Carbon Data Group at Regrow Ag, a leading global agriculture and climate technology company, which focuses on reducing the effects of climate change on agriculture by measuring and modelling impacts of crop and soil management practices on soil carbon and greenhouse gases. I successfully created 31 data collections that quantify the impact of different soil management practices on soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, allowing a bespoke parametrization of the DNDC model to be completed.

Collaborations

1. Regrow Agriculture

2. Holisoil project