Natalia Sarmanto - joins the 2025 expedition team from Finland

Natalia Sarmanto filled in the online enquiry form and clearly showed her strong desire and established interest and activities in environmental science and a drive to live life to the full. Following submission of an impresive application form and an online interview, Natalia, along with other new members, has been successful in being invited to take up a place on the 2025 expedition to Tempelfjord, Svalbard.

Natalia holds a Master’s degree in Science and Technology of Sustainability from the Polytechnic University of Catalunya and currently works for the United Nations in the field of sustainable water resource management. She also runs her family-owned restaurant in Helsinki.

With the internet as the main means of raising awareness about the Arctic Research Group, it is inevitable that there are international connections made between the ARG and those who are keen to come on an expedition. It's happened before, with Siri Enckell-Hartas, also, totally coincidentally, from Finland, and who also lives in Helsinki

In her free time, Natalia enjoys being outdoors and is always up for new activities. In the winter, she spends a lot of time snowboarding and ski touring in Finnish Lapland. When the sea isn’t frozen, she surfs in the Baltic Sea, with the stormy autumn months being the best season. In the summer, she takes every chance to go gravel biking and hiking. Lately, she has also been spending a lot of time on her newest hobby—climbing.

Dr Steve Staley commented "I'm delighted that Natalia has accepted the invitation to join the 2025 expedition to Tempelfjord and it is clear from her enthusiasm and the conversations we've had that Natalia will be an excellent member of the team. Before even being invited on the expedition, Natalia was helping by identifying a grant opportunity to support the ARG's environmental research".