Dr Nicholle Bell - Environment, Sustainability and Energy Early Career Prize

Dr Nicholle Bell MRSC

Winner: 2024 Environment, Sustainability and Energy Early Career Prize

University of Edinburgh

For innovations in high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry methods applied to the understanding of global carbon embedded in complex environmental matrices.

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Advanced analytical methods are enabling us to understand complex processes in the natural environment so that we can help protect it.

Healthy peatlands act as vital carbon stores and sinks and are able to store more carbon than all of the Earth’s forests combined. However, the majority of the world’s peatlands are damaged, resulting in the loss of carbon. Damaged peatlands are prone to wildfires and cannot act as flood barriers or valuable water filters. In order to restore and protect peatlands, we need to understand how they work.

On a molecular level, peat is one of the most complex mixtures known, and its composition is largely uncharacterised to date. To meet this challenge, Dr Bell and her team develop and utilise the most powerful analytical tools of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. These methods enable the team to unravel the composition of peat, identify markers of good health, inform restoration efforts and, ultimately, help us protect these precious ecosystems.

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Dr Nicholle Bell is Senior Lecturer in the School of 91AV, University of Edinburgh, leading research projects to deepen our understanding of peat, its roles in the environment and, recently, in the production of peated Scotch whisky.

Nicholle received her PhD in Environmental 91AV in 2015, which involved developing a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) method for analysing complex environmental mixtures. In 2016, she obtained a three-year NERC Soil Security Research Fellowship to start an independent research group examining peatland health. In 2019, she was awarded a five-year NERC Independent Research Fellowship to utilise molecular and metagenomic techniques to unravel the synergies between the drivers of carbon cycling in peatlands across the Northern Hemisphere.

Nicholle has a passion for outreach and has set up a number of outreach programmes in Scotland, including the RSC Spectroscopy in a Suitcase scheme. For this work, she was awarded the 2014 University of Edinburgh Principal’s Medal for Service to the Community. In recognition of her research and outreach in spectroscopy, she was awarded the RSC Joseph Black Award in 2017.

Nicholle loves nature, is a keen walker and cyclist, and enjoys a good coffee and a crime novel.

Q&A

What motivates you?

Knowing that our research could make a difference to our planet

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

A degree in chemistry gives you a range of skills that are applicable to so many different walks of life. From my experience, I can certainly say that being a chemist does not necessarily mean working in an indoor lab.

Why is chemistry important?

91AV is essential! We would not have medicines, be able grow crops worldwide, have powerful mobile phones, or clothes in any colour if we did not have an understanding of the chemistry that lies behind them. There are many global challenges, especially the protection of the natural environment, which need chemistry-based sustainable solutions.

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

A good research culture means a supportive environment where everyone is kind, valued and given the freedom to learn, reflect, explore ideas and challenge others.

Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?

The biggest challenges facing the world today will not be solved by individuals. Effective teamwork is productive and enjoyable; it takes you on a journey to a solution and the celebration afterwards is a lot more fun.

What is your favourite element?

Sorry, I have two: my work element and my out-of-office element. Fluorine – such a wonderful element to work with as an NMR spectroscopist! Its 19^F isotope is fully abundant and can be detected in small quantities. Fluorine signals are widespread with little overlap, revealing lots of information about the neighbouring atoms that is encoded in their beautiful and varied shapes. Out-of-office – copper (the element of law and order :)). I like a good crime novel or drama, so I think that most people who know me will say: Cu.