Name
Sophie Babbs
Which campus did you study at?
Fusehill Street campus
What years did you study with us?
2016 to 2020
What did you study at University of Cumbria and why did you pick this course?
I chose to study BSc Zoology at the University of Cumbria because I knew I always wanted to work with animals, particularly in conservation and research. However, I didn't know which area took my fancy the most. To me, all animals and areas are equally as amazing and exciting, from birds and eagles to mammals and marine life. Therefore, Zoology gave me the ability and time to learn about all areas in one course. This, and my previous PADI qualifications, made me discover my love and passion for the oceans and marine life from which I have never turned back!!
Do you remember any tutors? Did you have any favourites, if so, what made them special?
My favourite tutor, who helped me enormously during my time at the University of Cumbria, was Dr Alex Dittrich. When I was starting to struggle academically, he took the time out of his busy schedule to help me understand why. He suggested that maybe I am dyslexic, something that was never mentioned before now. He was right, in my third year out of four, I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia which made me finally understand everything. Why I worked differently to everyone else, why assignments took me three times longer than my peers, why I couldn’t understand anything unless I read it out loud. Alex continued helping throughout the rest of my time at the university, giving me tips and pointers on how to achieve my dreams and I can't thank him enough!!
Who were your friends, have you stayed in touch?
The friends I made at Cumbria remain my closest friends to date! I don't need to mention their names they know exactly who they are!! We meet up on mini reunions, holidays and still have a great time together! I met my friends for life in Carlisle.
Were you part of any sports groups, clubs or societies?
I helped run the zoology society for a time whilst at UoC which was challenging, stressful, but immensely rewarding!! We managed to build a pond, vegetable and flower garden, as well as had many fun nights including, pub quizzes, and even a murder mystery night of our own making!! "Rainbow Star" the Unicorn Diva was my favourite character!
Job title
Assistant Science Officer
Current Employer
Sharklab-Malta
Briefly explain what your job entails
My role in Sharklab-Malta is fundamentally to conduct research on a number of sharks and rays around the Maltese islands, as well as education and awareness. I conduct snorkels and dive surveys around Malta to identify what species are around and monitor any changes. This is mainly for a project called Fly With Bull Rays, to help monitor and collect information on these amazing rays as they are critically endangered and have no protection. I have help on fisheries studies to monitor what species are being caught around the island. From this, any sharks and rays that are pregnant at the market we collect the eggs to rear, tag if large enough and release back into the wild once they are around one year old. The last main project I helped with was education and awareness, giving talks at the aquarium and in schools, running a stand at science fairs to help break the stigma around sharks.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
How can I pick just one satisfying thing about this job, there are some many! I might have to choose two. Before coming out here, I knew what bull rays were, but I didn't think they would become such a massive part of my life. The first bull ray I saw in the wild was phenomenal, these rays literally fly through the water. They are so graceful to watch, it is amazing! Being able to lay on the sand staring into the eyes of these critically endangered rays, knowing they might not be around much longer, if nothing changes, makes me emotional. Each time I see them I get the same thrill, as if it was the first time all over again!
Secondly, I had the chance to personally release some baby nursehound sharks back into the wild. This was after seeing the full process from egg to hatching, and back to the wild again!! This was amazing to be able to put even a few sharks back into the wild, after us humans as a species, destroying their long-term chances of survival. One of the babies I released even sat between my legs as if to say "don't leave me, this is a big and scary ocean", I think it wanted a bit of extra reassurance before swimming off into the darkness.
What were your career ambitions when you started studying and do you think that you have achieved them?
When I started studying, I knew I wanted to go into research and conservation, but I had no clue what area I wanted to go into, much less what species fascinated me the most. At the very beginning I was obsessed with birds of prey; I still am to be honest. I became a falconer and did everything I could to be able work with them one day! However, as my studies progressed, I discovered the oceans, and realised how many more unknowns there were, and how much more there is to find out. As cheesy as it sounds, I fell completely in love with this area and decided to do a Master of Research in Marine Biology, with the aim to focus on behavioural ecology.
I don't think I have fully achieved my dreams, because each time I get close the dream gets bigger! But I do feel I am well on the way to achieving my ambitions, especially as I am already a researcher working on some novel projects at such an early stage in my career!
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of myself, for never quitting, even when I suddenly got diagnosed with dyslexia so late and had to change my whole study method. I decided quitting was the easy route, and therefore not the route for me to take, this little thing wasn't going to stop me. I realised my weaknesses, embraced them, and adapted. In the end I achieved a 1st class BSc honours degree from the University of Cumbria. But I decided this wasn’t enough for me and I have now gone on to achieve a distinction at a Master of Research in Marine Biology. It just takes perseverance and adaption.
What are your ambitions for the future?
My ambitions for the future are always developing, currently my goal is to achieve a PhD in shark and ray behavioural ecology. That way I can fully make my mark on in the sector. I want to be able to conduct more research, to discover many of the unknowns and unanswered questions, and make a real impact in the marine world! I want to discover some groundbreaking research to be able to save species in the wild, to keep them around for many more generations to enjoy.
As a newly qualified PADI divemaster, from Corsair Diving Malta, I also want to progress my diving career even further. I want to one day become an instructor, scientific diver, and keep diving as a part of my career and life from now on! As I have never felt more at home than I do when I am underwater!
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for students today?
The best advice I can give is to never quit. No matter how hard things seem, however many late nights it takes to get essays done, no matter how many declined job applications you have, don't quit. I have had about 200 declined applications since leaving. But it always works out eventually, if it is your passion and your dream, it will happen!
Anything else you wish to add?
I came from a non-traditional background prior to university. I was originally home educated until the age of 16 which for me gave me so much more than I could have imagined looking back, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I learnt through a very hands-on approach, through basing all subjects around a topic. I then completed GCSEs, through teaching myself, with a little help from mum, before attending college. So, I want to say a massive thank you to my mum who helped me, I couldn't have done it without you and your support!! This can be a very controversial background to have come from, but it worked for me, and I have achieved loads, but no matter where you come from if you want to achieve your dreams you will regardless.
Follow Sophie’s career (and see cute pictures of the baby nursehound sharks) on her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marinebiosoph/
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