Jack Horne

Background

About Jack Horne

I am a final year Ph.D. Student, funded by the East of Scotland Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (EASTBIO DTP), and I am based between the University of Aberdeen and SRUC. I am investigating the link between the biochemical properties of agricultural soils, in particular the relationship of soil pH, and the soil microbiome and it's functional capacity to cycle heavy molecular weight nitrogen compounds. My overall aim is to identify new biological criteria for soil health assessment, and to utilise this to advise a framework to improve the sustainability of the UK agricultural sector. I have had previous research experience through a project based at SRUC, funded by the Stapledon Memorial Trust, where I investigated the link of microbial respiration with the physical properties of soil before and after a major physical disturbance where we translocated 450 tonnes of soil. This was further developed into my undergraduate honours thesis at the University of Aberdeen. Prior to my Environmental Science BSc, I completed 2 years of the MPhys Physics with Astrophysics program at Northumbria University, Newcastle. I have previous volunteer experience in a variety of roles, with the longest role being a voluntary climbing instructor where I have taught climbing since 2014. I have also achieved my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, where I volunteered for a year at Cragside National Trust. Here I gained communication skills for talking with the public about historical sites and science of the surrounding landscape. I have also been an instructor with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, where I attained the rank of Cadet Sergeant. Here, I mentored cadets through their BTEC in Aviation Studies. While in the cadets, I obtained many qualifications from radio operation, leadership courses, and my solo glider pilots license.I have previously volunteered as Lead Student EDI Representative for EASTBIO and I am currently volunteering as the Lead Student EDI Representative for SRUCs Doctoral College. I facilitated the communication between the student subcommittee and the EASTBIO management, while I also structured and developed the role of the committee to be functional as to represent and provide feedback across the entirety of the EASTBIO institutions. I operate independently as the EDI representative for SRUC, and act as an intermediate for advisory requests and conflict resolution. Previously I have volunteered as the Disability Liaison Officer and COVID Officer for the Consent Awareness and Sexual Education Group for the University of Aberdeen.