Snip, snap, snute …

While luck (being in the right place at the right time) is certainly a factor in a successful research career, and being a good researcher is definitely important, but a large part is being organised and effective. Rodewald has clearly demonstrated that she has all of these characteristics.

Last week she completed the final components of her Masters work on anti-predator behaviour in juvenile cod. She was part of the Aquatic Behavioural Ecology research group, working in particular with Professor Anders Fernö, Researcher Jon Egil Skjæraasen and post-doc Justin James Meager.

Already this week she is packing up to move to her new position as a PhD student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, with most of the empirical work being conducted at the Kainuu Fish Research Station research station run by the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute. Beginning 1 June, she will be working with conservation biology in salmon! The project's aim is to develop natural methods for reintroducing and conserving endangered salmon and trout populations with the goal of increasing the biomass of wild salmon and trout in Finnish rivers.

Rodewald had actively sought several different PhD options, but the project in Finland seemed the best fit. She came to Bergen from Ålesund two and a half years ago as part of a group of four students who came to Bergen to study Biology. All are doing well she reports!

Rodewald will not have much of a break to enjoy being finished her Masters; the field season will be in high gear when she arrives in Finland. However, it all sounds like a great beginning to a promising research career.