THEY grew up as sisters and both had bright futures.

While Dr Katharine Giles fostered an interest in the environment and climate change, her sister Nikki came to Brighton to study at the University of Sussex.

They remained close, even when Katharine was involved in pioneering work in the Arctic and Antarctic measuring the thickness of sea ice.

Tragically, though, Katharine died suddenly in a cycling accident in London in April 2013. She was 35.

Her older sister Nikki, now living in Brunswick Terrace, Hove, and coming to terms with the loss, saw an opportunity to give her a lasting memorial when an online poll was launched to name a new polar research ship.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) asked the public to suggest names for the £200-million ship, due to set sail for Antarctica in 2019.

While several worthy suggestions, including David Attenborough, saw traction in the poll, the joke suggestion, Boaty McBoatface, raced into the lead.

Since issuing a plea for votes through The Argus, Nikki has seen votes for Katharine's name on the boat more than double, from almost 3,000 to 6,500 at the time of printing.

But there is some way to go.

Nikki, 36, said: "I'm not against Boaty McBoatface, and think it's quite funny, but when it comes to the actual name I would much prefer to see my sister's on there because it would be fitting.

"We've had a good response so far ... but it's a long way to go to rival Boaty McBoatface."

The name Boaty McBoatface has added a humourous aspect to the naming but Nikki can't help but feel her sister's name is more deserving.

Before her death, Katharine was a research fellow based at the Centre for Polar Observation and Measurement (CPOM) at University College London (UCL). She was a key member of a team using satellite data to measure sea ice and the height of the sea surface. She developed these techniques to understand sea ice cover, wind patterns and ocean circulation.

Katharine was educated in Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex and Bishop's Stortford in east Hertfordshire before her interest in the environment led her to study a MSci in Earth and Space Science at UCL, graduating with first class honours in 2000. She went on to study for a PhD at the same university.

Katharine performed some of the first ground-based experiments to show how satellite observations could be accurately related to sea ice thickness. This led her to undertake field campaigns that, in 2007, identified the extent of sea ice thinning in the Arctic.

Her ideas relating to the changing climate of the poles meant she was awarded a personal Fellowship from NERC.

Nikki said: "Katharine Giles was committed to communicating science to the public and young people in particular. She had a popular website and blogs of her Arctic and Antarctic missions.

"She presented live to many thousands of young people and was a stylish role model.

"Unusually for a physicist she subscribed to Vogue as well as Physics World. She loved fashion, dancing, surfing and spending time with her many friends."

Katharine was the great, great grand-daughter of an earlier climate scientist, Edward Walter Maunder (1851-1928), who was an English astronomer best remembered for his study of sunspots, the solar magnetic cycle and their affect on climate.

Nikki said: “Katharine dedicated her life to scientific research in the polar regions. It would be a brilliant legacy to her work if the ship went out with her name on it.

"We've had messages of support from so many friends and others around the world."

The NERC has said the final decision will be announced in due course.

The poll closes tomorrow, April 16.

To vote for RRS Katharine Giles, search Katharine at nameourship.nerc.ac.uk and click on the heart symbol.