Chris Peck
Q&A with grad student Chris Peck
Roughly 3600 students are enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Graduate Studies. They come from Canada and around the world to study here and CEOS is getting to know some of them on a more personal level. We want to know who they are, what sports they like, and what’s their favorite snack.
PhD student: Chris Peck
Studying in: Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Advisor: Jens Ehn/Zou Zou Kuzyk
http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/environment/departments/ceos/people/jehn.html
http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/environment/departments/ceos/people/zkuzyk.html
Where are you from?
Sheffield, England
Why did you choose CEOS?
I obtained my Bachelor’s in Marine Biology and Oceanography, and my Master’s in Applied Marine Science, so when I noticed that CEOS was offering a PhD program in Oceanography and sedimentation, I applied for it.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I am preparing 5 ice tethered moorings that will be deployed later this week in North-East James Bay to measure the salinity and temperature directly under the ice. These instrument records will also allow us to calibrate the salinity record that we will obtain from ice cores, which we will be taking in late March.
What did you want to be as a kid?
A pilot.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love playing Rugby and play on a team here. I also love to Scuba Dive although I haven’t really been able to do that in awhile.
If you could be a SuperHero, what SuperHero would you be?
Iron Man or Captain America. Who doesn’t want to be a genius in a suit?
Salty or sweet?
Salty. Back home my favorite snack is sausage rolls, but here it’s chips.
Favorite movie?
Gladiator
Favorite TV show?
Scrubs for all-time. Right now it’s Game of Thrones.
Do you miss anything particular about home?
The food. I miss Steak and Ale pie and a good Sunday roast. I also miss watching Rugby games with friends, but since I’ve been here it’s now been replaced with Hockey.
What have you noticed about life in Canada that is different than back home?
You drink a lot more coffee than we do in England. The food here is different; we don’t have poutine or beaver tails back home. And you embrace the cold a lot more.
Are there things that people wrongly assume about you because you’re British that drives you a little crazy?
People assume that I drink tea all the time and that we have a set tea time. They also assume I love soccer (football). Which I don’t.
Since we’re talking about England, have you seen the Queen?
No, but I have seen Prince Charles. He toured my old department in Bangor, Wales.
Favorite Royal Family member?
Prince Harry
Do you watch Downton Abbey?
No
What puts a smile on your face?
Spending time with Kasey and friends, rugby and video games.
One thing not too many people may know about you:
I fell off a balcony once.