Professional summary
Hi š, Iām Sam - an environmental modeller and self-proclaimed research software engineer at UKCEH in Lancaster, with a background in quantum physics and software development. My main specialism is in the development of emissions, fate and exposure models of potential pollutants in soils and surface waters, including micro- and nanoplastics, pharmaceuticals, PFAS and nanomaterials. This work lays the foundation for environmental risk and impact assessment, helping us understand the chemical drivers of environmental change. Through this, I am particularly interested in integrating models to better quantify these impacts and provide deeper insight into human-environment interactions.
My work also extends into the realms of digital research, including software engineering, data science and AI. I use expertise across digital research and environmental science to empower environmental modellers to develop better models by leveraging modern digital research paradigms. This includes research into how contemporary software architecturesm, such as microservices, can support the development of environmental models that are more FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reproducible). I lead community initiatives to support this vision, connecting researchers across the globe who share the goal of advancing the next generation of environmental modelling. Ultimately, I am motivated by ensuring our models are capable of meeting future needs, including the need to rapidly generate policy-relevant knowledge and decisions at the pace demanded by accelerating environmental change.
I am a keen advocate of, creator of and contributor to open source software and open science. I am a Fellow of the Software Sustainability Institute and an active member of communities such as CSDMS, CEEDS, OMF, iEMSs and SETAC. I am an experienced project leader and frequent contributor to session chairing, workshop coordination and educational resources.
In my free time, I can usually be found running, walking, climbing, cycling or skiing in the hills and mountains of the UK and further afield. I am a qualified winter mountain leader and have previously worked as a freelance outdoor instructor.
Find out more on my personal website, or find me on GitHub, BlueSky, Mastodon or LinkedIn.