Earth, Life, and Data: Understanding Our Planet Through Science

From 36 £ /h

My lessons explore the fascinating connections between science, the environment, and the invisible microbial world that shapes our daily lives. Drawing on my experience as a researcher at MIT, Imperial College London, and CSIRO, I integrate concepts from biology, chemistry, earth science, and statistics to help students build both a broad understanding and strong technical skills.

Classes are interactive and tailored to each student’s level and goals—whether you want to strengthen your general science foundation, prepare for exams, or dive deeper into advanced topics like microbiology, environmental engineering, geochemistry, or data analysis. I emphasize clear explanations, real-world examples, and problem-solving approaches that make complex ideas approachable.

With my background in tutoring and mentoring university students, I focus on creating a supportive, engaging space where curiosity leads the way. By the end of each lesson, you’ll not only understand the material but also see how science connects to bigger questions about our planet, health, and future.

Extra information

Bring your own laptop, materials.

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At student's location :

Around Dalserf, United Kingdom

At teacher's location :

Carluke, UK

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

I’m Cameron, a scientist and tutor with a PhD in Sustainable Civil Engineering and postdoctoral research experience at MIT, Imperial College London, and CSIRO. My work has focused on microbial ecology, environmental science, and data analysis, but my teaching spans a wide range of subjects—from general science to advanced topics in microbiology, geochemistry, and statistics.

I enjoy making complex ideas clear and accessible, using real-world examples to show how science connects to everyday life and global challenges. As a mentor, I’m patient, approachable, and committed to helping each student grow in confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.

Education

University of St Andrews, Scotland; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (09/2010 – 06/2014)
• BSc (Hons): Environmental Geoscience (Upper 2:1). Supervisor: Timothy Raub.
University of Glasgow, Scotland; School of Mathematics & Statistics (09/2014 – 12/2015)
• MSc: Environmental Statistics. Supervisor: Ludger Evers.
Cathedral Capital Ltd and Cathedral Underwriting Ltd, London, England; Catastrophe Modelling Team (05/2016 – 09/2018)
• Exposure Management Analyst & Capital Modeler (Cargo, Specie & Fine Art).
Imperial College London, England; Departments of Environmental Engineering & Bioengineering
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Perth, Australia; Land & Water (09/2018 - 05/2024)
• PhD & Diploma of Imperial College (DIC): Sustainable Civil Engineering. Supervisors: Adrian Butler, Claire Stanley, Geoffrey Puzon, Matt Morgan, & Henry Lee.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (08/2023 – 03/2025)
• Postdoctoral Associate, Experimental Geobiology, Bosak Lab. Supervisors: Oliver Jagoutz & Tanja Bosak.

Experience / Qualifications

Research and employment summaries

University of St Andrews
• This course provided a comprehensive overview of earth, biological, and environmental engineering sciences, focusing on the interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, and the Earth. Key topics included geodynamics, structural geology, and environmental issues like climate change and acid mine drainage (AMD), analyzed using tools such as ArcGIS and global climate models. I was particularly interested in extreme geobiology and how microbes respond to environmental stress such as radiation or contamination.
• Environmental fieldwork involved professional sampling and analysis, including arsenic contamination studies and freshwater analysis through techniques like ion chromatography (IC). Advanced modules covered biochemistry, geomicrobiology, and methods for heavy metal bioengineering in ecological systems.
• The thesis explored the mapping of lightning strikes on the Isle of Rùm, with a focus on apatite's role in life’s phosphorus cycle, using geophysical tools like fluxgate magnetometers and XRF analysis.

University of Glasgow
• This course focused on mathematical theory and statistical methodologies applied to environmental issues, such as toxicology, climate change, and human impacts on ecosystems, including marine systems.
• Key modules included probability theory, environmental and biostatistics, data analysis, and regression models, all of which heavily utilized R programming, python, SQL, and supercomputing. The course also covered spatial relationships in air and water pollution using GIS tools like ArcGIS. Additionally, training in scientific design and professional writing prepared me for publishing research papers.
• My thesis, “Physically-inspired statistical models for the spread of petroleum contaminants in groundwater,” developed a hybrid fluid dynamic model that outperformed standard geostatistical models when modelling methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) contamination. This model was then shared with Royal Dutch Shell for further evaluation.

Cathedral Capital Ltd and Cathedral Underwriting Ltd
• I managed the cargo, specie, and fine art portfolio, using Risk Management Solutions (RMS) for probabilistic modeling, conducting portfolio management, variance, and statistical analysis on large datasets.
• I modelled exposure of the portfolio to earthquakes, hurricanes, severe convective storms, wildfires and marine contamination catastrophes.
• Responsibilities included preparing monthly underwriter reports and regulatory returns, such as Lloyd’s RDS loss estimations and capital model reports. I also prepared reinsurance data submissions and coordinated with directors, senior underwriters, and actuarial analysts across the organization.
• Additionally, I managed post-catastrophe loss analysis using internal models and GIS tools, as well as contributing to the R&D of marine contamination and wildfire models.

Imperial College London & CSIRO
• Petroleum-contaminated sites have complex sources of contamination in soil and groundwater, posing health and environmental risks to nearby areas and are costly to treat. While engineered methods initially reduce petroleum mass, natural attenuation (NA) by subsurface microorganisms becomes more critical over time as petroleum products weather.
• This PhD project, in collaboration with CSIRO and BP in Western Australia, studied chemotaxis; the movement of microbes toward petroleum hydrocarbon to enhance NA models.
• Through 16S Illumina sequencing, predictive metagenomic profiling, molecular ecology, and geochemical analysis, the project investigated microbial community interactions and biodegradation, aiming to improve risk assessment for groundwater contamination at legacy petroleum sites. I also through genetic engineering investigated the interactions of different microbes based on their chemotactic ability, this included plant and fungi interactions as well.

MIT
• I utilized enrichments of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) collected from around the world to enhance the dissolution of waste gypsum created during the production of fertilizer or the flue gas desulfurization process. This minimized the environmental risk and costs associated with its storage and contributed to the sequestration of carbon dioxide by transforming the gypsum into carbonate.
• Culturing this enrichment also involved experimenting with mixing it with different types of municipal sewage to determine if a synergistic relationship could be attained between microbes present in the enrichment. Several enrichments were also trialed for their bioleaching potential for rare earth elements (REE) present in the system.
• The MIT enrichment was grown over multiple generations and maintained in a stable anaerobic environment. It was novel compared to the other enrichments tested, as it emitted minimal methane and was placed in a continuous-flow bioreactor for future study.

Laboratory and fieldwork skills

• Machine Analysis: optical fiber spectrometry, XRD, XRF, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), ICP-OES, IC, NMR and geophysical techniques, such as the use of conductivity and resistivity instruments.
• Computer Software: CAD software, R, R Studio, python, biopython, terminal, EdGCM, geoR, SAS (SQL), SPSS, Minitab, Quickgrid, Pages, ArcGIS, QGIS, Matlab, MS Office, Mindat, Digimap, Maple, Quickgrid, HighScore Plus, and Adobe CC 2024.
• Professionally trained in the use of petrological and biological microscopes, standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol, restriction enzyme digest protocol, plasmid construction, genetic engineering, gene deletion, electroporation, DNA/RNA extraction, 16S rRNA bioinformatics, microfluidics, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) bonding and autoclaving.
• Trained in the use of anerobic chambers and anerobic enrichment culturing, as well as trained in the handling and sampling of bloodborne pathogens. Also trained in performing chemical assays to characterize aqueous solutions of bioreactors, measuring Fe2+, total Fe, and sulfide.
• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) representative and Biosafety Representative at MIT.
• Masters class representative for the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow.
• The Engine, start-up incubator cohort member.
• Field Work: 100+ days of structural geology mapping field work including air, water (marine, freshwater, glaciers and groundwater) and sediment sampling in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Australia. Environmental geobiology field sampling in Sicily, Italy and Plumb Island, Massachusetts, USA.

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

30 minutes

45 minutes