# @ucirvine on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DINCMshuRFZ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/32187067-ucirvine-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/3fc15f44a3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-04-08T23:15:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** UC Irvine (@ucirvine) — https://gondola.cc/ucirvine

## Caption

🌍❄️ An academic first in Antarctica❄️🌍 

Most students defend their dissertations on campus ground—but Ratnakar Gadi (left) took his to Antarctica. (Yes, he succeeded) 🏔️💡💙💛

During his time at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica research station, Ratnakar made history as the first person to defend a Ph.D. dissertation at the world’s only zero-emission polar research facility. 

His work?
🔹 THE Research – Studying Petermann Glacier (Greenland) and Thwaites Glacier (West Antarctica), Ratnakar discovered how seawater intrusion at ice grounding zones accelerates glacial melting, impacting global sea levels. 

🔹 Fieldwork on Ice – Before his defense, Ratnakar embarked on a 24-day Antarctic expedition with his advisor, Professor Eric Rignot (right), covering hundreds of kilometers to collect vital data on ice-ocean interactions. 

🔹 A Dissertation Like ✨NO✨ Other – His defense is believed to be only the second ever held in Antarctica 🌨️

Ratnakar’s work is pushing climate science forward, proving that Anteaters' impact extends far beyond our campus 🐜🍽️✨ #UCIPride #UCIrvineImpact 

Read the full story via the link in bio 🔗

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 0
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 6

## Tags

ucipride, ucirvineimpact

---
Copyright (c) Gondola