After a former supervisor shared an announcement for a PhD position focused on studying the Earth’s magnetic field, Marine Foucher became intrigued. In the fall of 2013, Marine made it official and became a Husky, learning what she was so interested in studying Earth magnetism and geophysics. Dr. Aleksey Smirnov’s advising proved successful when, in 2018 she defended her doctoral thesis to committee members Dr. Greg Waite, Dr. Thomas Oommen, and Dr. Elisa Piispa. It’s always great to hear from alumni/ae who continue to make a difference in their fields! Keep reading to learn Dr. Marine Foucher’s perspectives.
View Dr. Foucher’s publications.
Q: Why did you choose MTU?
A: A former supervisor shared an announcement for a PhD position focused on studying the Earth’s magnetic field, which I was very interested in.
Q: What has your career path been like since you graduated?
A: I worked outside of academia for a couple of years (COVID!) until I found a postdoctoral position. I am now a visiting professor of Environmental Sciences and Geographic Information Systems in the Natural Resources Management department at New Mexico Highlands University.
Q: How did your time at MTU prepare you for industry/career?
A: I conducted research in the lab and on the field, managed labs as well as students and their research projects, taught classes, participated in many outreach activities, attended classes, conferences, and workshops, and interacted with people of various fields and different backgrounds.
Q: What’s it like to return to the campus now? Have you noticed any changes?
A: It is weird and it reminds me that I miss it there. There is another elevator now! I hope it works better than the other ones.
Q: Most impactful memory of your time here?
A: I still hold all the connections I have made.
Q: What is your favorite activity when you return to campus?
A: Catching up with Brittany and the other members of the GMES department, meeting the new students, looking at the atrium view, walking around campus and by the waterfront.
Q: What advice would you give someone just starting at Tech as a Husky?
A: Try all the winter outdoor activities you can (including the polar bear plunge), find the one(s) that will make you happy, and do them. Do not hesitate to contact the staff, professors, and other students for help.
Q: What role did the community or extracurricular activities play in your overall experience?
A: A massive role, especially as a foreigner. Having a family/community and things to do is extremely important when you are far from home, no matter how fun your job is.
Q: Looking back, what opportunities do you wish you had taken advantage of during your time here?
A: I wish I had started cross-country skiing my first winter, not my second. And I wish I knew how much fun ice fishing was before my last year. Professionally, I wish I would have explored collaborations with professors from other fields.
Q: What networking opportunities did you take advantage of as a student?
A: Blueberry farm fall semester GMES get-together, Spanish y cerveza, workshops, and summer schools organized by other universities/labs where you meet people from all over the world in the same field.
Q: What is your current position’s unexpected benefit/skill set? What did you not realize at first was a part of what you do?
A: I am now a UAV pilot and the lead person in charge of my university’s ESRI organizational account and GIS needs. I also work with additive manufacturing. I was also surprised to learn I have to do other people’s work for them or teach them their jobs (even though I have never held a position like theirs).
