The Naked Scientists Podcast Titans of Science: Antje Boetius
12 snips
Jan 14, 2025 
Antje Boetius, a renowned microbiologist and director at the Alfred Wegener Institute, reveals the fascinating relationship between methane-eating seafloor species and its global implications. She reflects on her inspiration for deep-sea research and unique underwater encounters. The discussion turns to deep-sea mining's ecological impacts and the need for urgent research on Antarctic climate change. Boetius emphasizes the critical role of microbes in maintaining marine ecosystems and their potential to combat climate change.
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Childhood Dream
- Anja Boetius's childhood passion for the ocean, fueled by Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, led her to a career in deep-sea research.
- Her grandfather, a captain and navigator on the Hindenburg, further inspired her interest in exploration.
Grandfather's Navigation
- Boetius's grandfather, a navigator on the Hindenburg, highlighted the historical context of navigation and survival.
- His experiences during wartime demonstrated a reliance on the ocean for livelihood rather than pure exploration.
Deep Sea Perspective
- The deep sea, despite its hostility, offers a unique research perspective.
- The journey to the seafloor provides time for focused work and observation of unusual life forms.
