Kochi: A faculty member from Jain University, Kochi, has taken part in India’s crucial Arctic research expedition focused on gathering vital data regarding climate change and oceanographic transformations. Dr. P. Lakshmi Devi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Sciences, served as part of the 17th Indian Arctic Expedition organized by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. She returned to Kochi after completing a month-long research tenure.
The research was conducted at Himadri, India’s Arctic research station located at Ny-Ålesund in the Norwegian Arctic. Ny-Ålesund is known as one of the northernmost international scientific research hubs in the world. Bringing her background in research from Kerala’s tropical marine ecosystems, Dr. Lakshmi traveled to Norway to study the effects of melting sea ice on marine ecosystems of the Arctic.
Dr. Lakshmi’s primary research focused on the population bloom of jellyfish in the Arctic region’s Kongsfjorden and the key environmental factors contributing to this occurrence. This study is expected to play a critical role in assessing the impacts of global warming and climate change on polar marine ecosystems, as well as the future of marine biodiversity.
Ny-Ålesund serves as a global gathering point for scientists from across the world studying climate change and marine environmental shifts. Through its Himadri research base, India continues to play an important role in this international scientific community. University authorities stated that Dr. Lakshmi Devi’s participation in this nationally prominent mission reflects the recognition of Jain University, Kochi’s ongoing contributions to scientific research of international significance.
****
