Poster presentations showcase the work of Marine Institute’s Bursary Students

Students on the Marine Institute's Bursary programme recently showcased their work experience at a poster presentation day, held at the Institute Headquarters in Oranmore.

Twenty-five undergraduate students are currently undertaking eight to twelve week placements, and gaining experience in a variety of areas including fish and shellfish assessment and monitoring, catchment research, maritime finance and the management of the national research vessels.

"To showcase the work experience the bursar students have gained during the placement, students designed and displayed posters and discussed their work with peers and staff at the Marine Institute," said Ms Helen McCormick, Bursar Programme Coordinator and Senior Laboratory Analyst at the Marine Institute.

"The high standard of the poster presentations was impressive, and students were enthusiastic to explain and showcase the skills and experiences they have gained over the last eight to twelve weeks of the programme," Ms McCormick said.

A panel of judges reviewed the posters and presented seven awards to the bursary students.

First place was awarded to Signe Martin (GMIT), who has been comparing River Boyne Salmon Scales from 1944-1973 in the Marine Institute's Newport Facility.

Sibeal Regan (GMIT), explored the preparation of Whitefish Otoliths and Illicia in the preparation laboratory at the Marine Institute Oranmore, was awarded second place.

Third place was awarded to Louise Lenighan (GMIT), who has been looking at how glass eel recruitment varied over a period of time, at the Marine Institute in Newport.

In the group presentations, Orla Mallon (NUI Galway), and Colin Guilfoyle (NUI Galway) working in the Newport facility, and David McClean (University of Ulster), working at Loughs Agency Derry, were awarded first prize. The team members have been working on the National Salmon Tagging Programme at the various locations.

The People's Choice was awarded to Poppy Keogh (NUI Galway), for her presentation on the SeaRover 2018 Sensitive Ecosystem Assessment and ROV Exploration of the Reef.

The Marine Institute's Bursary Programme is a highly sought after work experience programme in the marine science sector and continues to offer a promising gateway into the expanding areas of marine science and research in Ireland.

The programme is aimed at undergraduates who have completed at least two years' study in a relevant discipline and is advertised on www.marine.ie in February each year

ENDS

For more images of the poster presentations please click here.