Researcher Profile: Craig Woodward

By: Christie Evans

Craig Woodward is a research scientist specialising in paleoecology. In particular he examines mud samples from both lake and ocean to archive environmental change. He is aboard the RV Investigator due to his sediment coring experience.

Craig is responsible for choosing an appropriate site off the coast of NSW to get the best result from coring. He also makes sure the core is stabilised and preserved to go back to the lab for analysis.

Craig enjoys field work as it gets him out of the office and gives him the chance for adventure and the prospect of discovering something new. Having always had an interest in fossils, from collecting them as a child in a local quarry, he studied a Bachelor of Science then followed on to do a PHD in environmental science.

He remains curious about the world today as well as what was and his work gives him a glimpse into the past.