Kirstin Deuss

Dr. Kirstin Deuss is the inaugural appointee to the newly established position of Early Career Researcher (ECR) Representative on the NZSSS Council. Kirstin grew up on a small farm in Pāuatahanui and spent 10 years working in a horticultural business that supplied culinary herbs to the local restaurant trade. Following her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at Victoria University of Wellington, she changed paths and moved to Germany to undertake an M.Sc. in Horticultural Sciences at the Technical University of Munich. It was during her Masters that Kirstin discovered and developed a passion for soil science. After moving back to New Zealand, she began a job with Environment Southland coordinating a regional soil sampling project and carrying out fieldwork for surface water hydrology projects.

In 2017, Kirstin began a Ph.D. in Soil Physics at Lincoln University under the supervision of Peter Almond and Sam Carrick. Her research involved a multi-disciplinary study of the soil and catchment hydrology of a mole-and-tile drained, loess-mantled landscape in Southland. Kirstin's work was awarded the 2021 Fertiliser Association Award, which recognises the efforts and present, or likely, contribution to New Zealand soil science arising from a Doctorate study.

After graduating in 2022, Kirstin began her current role as a soil scientist and pedologist at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in Lincoln. Her research interests are varied and include pedology, digital soil mapping, geomorphology and soil hydrology. She is currently leading the S-Map expansion project in the Marlborough region and is regularly in the field for soil survey.

Kirstin is actively involved in the ECR community and looks forward to contributing her passion and energy to the NZSSS. She was part of the organising committee for the 2022 NZ Soil Judging Competition, as well as being co-organiser of the ECR Events at the 2022 NZSSS Conference. She has taken part in several Soil Judging competitions in both NZ and Australia and views these events as an invaluable opportunity to gain directly applicable soil skills and knowledge, as well as networking within the soils community. She also is active in promoting soils to the general public and enjoys bringing together people with an interest or background in soils and soil science.

Outside of work, Kirstin enjoys mountain biking and tramping, and any other activities that get her into the outdoors.