Growing up in northern Germany, Katrin Iken loved nature.

"Even as a small child I loved to be outside, exploring nature and being with animals. In school I became very interested in biology and wanted to know more about biology, life and nature. And I was most fascinated by ecology — how do organisms manage to live in a certain environment and with each other? My curiosity wasn't satisfied after a few years at university, so I decided to go on with research and to explore more of it myself."

That thirst for knowledge has now taken Iken, 36, to Antarctica four times. In this fifth trip, she continues her passion for studying ecology amidst the vast bio-diversity at Palmer Station.

"The closer the departure comes the more excited I am getting about it," she said. "We are interested in how life and living together is organized in this polar environment. There are many climatic, hydrographic and biological features unique to the Antarctic, and it is important for our overall understanding to learn how life is possible there."

Although Iken has been four times before, she's far from bored in earth's final frontier.

"I am still as fascinated by Antarctica as I was on the first day I went there. It's like a virus, once you have it you cannot get rid of it," she said.

"Antarctica is such a fascinating place in many respects. It is not just the cold and icy place many people may think of. It is spacious, quiet, clear air — in a way it is untouched, even at the places where humans have set foot."

Iken came to UAB as a post-doctoral fellow in biology from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany. After completing her Ph.D. in biology at the AWI, Iken contacted McClintock about coming to UAB to work with him on Antarctic research.

"Dr. McClintock, Dr. Baker and Dr. Amsler have done excellent work in Antarctica and are internationally known for their Antarctic research," she said. "I am honored to have the opportunity to work with them."

A diving and hiking enthusiast, Iken has prepared for the trip physically and by seeking medical clearance for the trip, a step all Antarctic researchers must do before leaving.

"That is a huge part of our preparation," she said.

She also had to think about what to take both for research and for personal needs, she said.

"There are no shops down there!"