Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Aberystwyth University zoology graduate Victoria Franks is the Science Engineering and Technology Awards (Europe) Biology Student of the Year for 2011. The announcement was made at a glittering awards ceremony attended by hundreds of academics, industry executives, and senior figures from government, scientific and technical institutions at the Millenium Hotel in London. Of 600 nominees, Victoria, who studied at Aberystwyth’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), was one of just three finalists, selected on the basis of a synopsis of her honours project. Titled “Brains or daring: shoaling fish follow the leader”, Victoria investigated social learning in tropical guppies. The finalists were judged by five leading scientists on the basis of a presentation and interview, held at the Society of Biology in London. Accompanied at the Awards ceremony by her project supervisor, IBERS Lecturer in Animal Behaviour Dr Rupert Marshall, and her mother, Victoria was st...

Aberystwyth zoology student Victoria Franks has been short-listed for the “Best Biology Student” prize in the 2011 European Science, Engineering & Technology (SET) Awards. Victoria is one of only three out of 600 to have made it on to the short list. She now faces an interview in London to decide the overall winner. Victoria graduated with 1st Class honours earlier this year and had to write a 2,000 word synopsis of her final year honours project. Titled “Brains or daring: shoaling fish follow the leader”, it investigated social learning in guppies, a tropical fish. On hearing the news, Victoria said “I’m amazed but delighted. I loved being at Aberystwyth, and studying the guppies’ behaviour for my project was fascinating!” Victoria was nominated by her tutor, Dr Rupert Marshall, lecturer in Animal Behaviour at Aberystwyth University. “I am thrilled for Victoria. She was an excellent student, excited by science and a delightful person to work with. I wish her well fo...