Date: 19 January 2005
The Marine Institute's special award at the Esat BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2005 was presented by Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO, to Lee Caplin, a fourth year student at Stratford College, Rathgar, Dublin for his project, which examined the production of histamine in fish with reference to histamine poisoning in humans.
A budding marine biologist also featured among the main awards with the individual runner-up award going to Kevin O'Reilly from Christian Brothers Grammar (Abbey) School, Newry for his project entitled "The feeding behaviour of freshwater shrimp (Gammarus)". He was awarded €750 and an Esat BT Perpetual Trophy.
The number of entries this year reached a record total of 1,064 projects submitted, up 22% on last year, with students competing for one of the coveted 480 places to exhibit their discoveries at the annual exhibition in January. A marked increase in the number of projects with a marine theme was also notable throughout the exhibition area.
The Marine Institute's underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) and aquaria were both big attractions to visitors. "One budding marine scientist left the Marine Institute stand musing on how to build his very own ROV" according to Dr. John Joyce, Marine Institute.
The Marine Institute launched its "220 million acres under the sea" awareness campaign at the Exhibition, which will also feature at the Inshore Expo in Galway 11th and 12th February and at the Boat Show at the RDS , 23 - 27th February.
The Institute was exhibiting in the "Green Space" at the exhibition, alongside the "Planet Aqua" project on promoting awareness of the sea to school children through a special themed exhibition later this year.
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For more information or images, please contact Lisa Fitzpatrick, Marine Institute, email: lisa.Fitzpatrick@marine.ie or tel.: 091 730 428 / 087 293 7476