»The seafloor is like a window into the past.«
Katharina Pahnke-May
Prof. Pahnke-May, do you remember the first time you saw the ocean?
Not really. I grew up in Schleswig-Holstein, but we weren’t a typical beachgoing family. There was one memorable event, though: My dad and I went to a presentation about a reenacted research expedition with a sailboat and the sense of adventure really appealed to me. I even put up a poster of the boat in my room.
Why were you so interested?
I found, and still find, it amazing that you can retrace the history of the ocean and Earth’s climate using the layers of rock in the ground and the sediment layers on the seafloor.
If you could time travel, what era would you most want to explore?
I’d like to see the last ice age in fast-forward – not just a single moment, but the transformation over time. In paleoceanography, it always comes back to the chicken-and-the-egg problem: What came first, changes in the ocean or the atmosphere? Then I’d know the answer.
Has your job changed your personal connection to the ocean?
No, I still associate the ocean with the infinite and it fills me with awe. What’s particularly impressive: being on a research ship in the middle of the ocean, with water extending 4,000 meters below you. That’s when you realize how small we really are. It’s not frightening – but you do get goosebumps. I’ve only been scared once – back in 2022, the first time I was out to sea again since my daughter had been born. We were on the Tasman Sea and got hit by one storm after the next.
How would you describe your work to a non-expert in just a few words?
We investigate traces of metals in the ocean in order to identify the origins and routes of water masses in the past and present. This allows us to track how ocean currents have changed throughout our climatic history.
Sounds very specific.
Absolutely, but also very relevant. In paleoceanography, we always provide one piece of the greater puzzle. We collect water samples and drill sediment cores from the seafloor to determine how conditions have changed over the millennia.
Why is your research important?
It’s essential to understanding the climate. We have to know how the climate and ocean have naturally changed and affected one another; only then can we predict what the future holds.
Have you had any major breakthroughs during your research career?
There wasn’t any single major breakthrough, but plenty of smaller ones. Especially during my dissertation: I analyzed a sediment core collected in the South Pacific, off the coast of New Zealand, and identified changes in the intermediate-water current that were previously undiscovered. This led me to question how the same current affected more distant and sensitive sites. It’s real detective work.
How often do you get to go on expeditions these days?
Not as often as I used to – I have a daughter I want to spend time with.
You’ve lived and researched in cities all around the globe.
Yes, and every move was an adventure. After finishing my studies in Kiel and my Ph.D. in Wales, I moved to the US – first to MIT and then to the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University in New York. Later I lived on Hawaii for several years before returning to Oldenburg.
Wasn’t that tough on friendships and other relationships at times?
It was a truly nomadic lifestyle, and I savored every minute of it. Back then, I usually wasn’t tied down or the moves came at good times. That gave me so much freedom. I could seize opportunities without having to think of others, could follow my curiosity and take on new challenges. I didn’t have a career plan; I just tried to get as far as I could without having to commit too much. That’s what I try to pass on to my younger colleagues: Do things you enjoy and don’t be afraid to take risks every now and then. Above all, don’t get fixated on making a career in research – and if it doesn’t work out, don’t see it as a failure.
What’s the academic system been like for you as a woman?
Actually, I never felt that I had more obstacles to overcome than men – with one exception. Three years ago, when I first led a longer expedition, I felt it was harder for women to be respected by a ship’s crew. Otherwise, I never felt that conflicts had to do with my gender.
Then why are there still fewer women in marine research?
In Germany, academic careers are hardly the most reliable choice. Many women are uncomfortable with that or worry about being able to make it and reconcile their career with having a family. Men are often more optimistic in this regard. I don’t think women need to copy male behavior – though self-confidence can help.
What were your own experiences trying to balance your family and research?
I didn’t have a child until late in my career. Though it didn’t mean a snag, it did mean I had to rethink things. I had to learn to cope with the feeling that I could never fully satisfy both sides (career and family). It’s important to find your own peace of mind and to have the support of your partner. My child doesn’t suffer from going to an all-day school – what counts is the time we spend together.
Were there times when you thought about giving up?
Yes, especially when I was getting started at MIT; I had troubles with my supervisor. There was a time when I asked myself if I had to less friendly and more ruthless to survive amid all the huge egos out there. I ultimately decided not to, and to stay true to myself – which was exactly the right choice.
What lessons has your career taught you?
Fun and curiosity are the most important aspects in research. If you can preserve them in your work, you can make real headway. And: You should look for friends among your coworkers. In many cases, that’s more important than anything else.
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Prof. Katharina Pahnke-May, born in 1975 in Kiel, is a Professor of Marine Isotope Geochemistry at the Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.
