Online Tutor Stephanie

When I am not tutoring, I am studying towards a PhD in Biological Anthropology. My research focuses on the evolution of human hands in extreme environments. In extremely cold conditions, human hands often lose blood flow to reduce heat loss from the body, but this can dramatically compromise our dexterity, which is essential for survival, and may even put us at risk of frostbite. Some individuals are better at maintaining their dexterity in cold conditions, but this variation in the human population has not been properly documented and is poorly understood. My research will sample a wide range of the human population, and use a range of technologies, such as 3D scanning, plethysmography, thermal imaging and immersion testing, to determine which individuals are more susceptible to hand function loss and frostbite in cold conditions. This research will include an expedition to Everest Base Camp in collaboration with the Xtreme Everest team. During the trek we will collect measurements from Sherpa guides and non-Nepali trekkers, to determine what variables correlate with dexterity loss and susceptibility to frostbite. This research will have positive implications for a wide range of fields, from medicine to extreme snow sports, allowing us to tailor frostbite prevention and treatments, and to design bespoke safety equipment such as gloves.
In training for my Everest expedition, ...