IBERS student wins prestigious travel scholarship

An IBERS Marine and Freshwater Biology student has been awarded a £1,000 travel Scholarship by the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales (formerly the Welsh Livery Guild).

The Worshipful Livery Company of Wales (WLCW) was established in 1993 for the purpose of promoting the arts, science and technology in Wales and in particular the development of the skills and professional competences within these activities. One of the ways it achieves these objectives is by offering a limited number of £1,000 Travel Scholarships in various sectors of education and personal development activity. The Scholarship enables recipients to travel abroad and to undertake a study project which will significantly assist in furthering their careers and enhancing and developing their talents.

Emily Groves is in her second year at Aberystwyth and this summer will be travelling to and camping along the coast of Norway to study the differences in thermal tolerance in kelp (Alaria esculenta). Emily will be collecting data from shore surveys along the west coast of Norway to see if individuals living in the centre of the species’ range are larger and more abundant than those at the range edge.

To secure the award Emily had to undergo a rigorous interview by Madeline Bidder and Bob Clarke from the WLCW. In presenting the award both Madeline and Bob congratulated Aberystwyth University for fielding such a strong shortlist of candidates to be interviewed. Bob Clarke said “All finalists were high calibre and I am confident they will all go on to excel in their chosen fields” Madeline added “What we particularly liked about Emily was the enthusiasm she clearly had for her subject, she is clearly very driven and passionate about her chosen field of study and we wish her and the other candidates all the very best in the future”.

Tony O’Regan from Aberystwyth University said: “I would like to thank the Welsh Livery Company of Wales for their kind comments and generous sponsorship of this award”. Emily’s degree scheme coordinator Dr Pippa Moore added “Emily is an exceptionally bright, dedicated and committed Marine and Freshwater Biology student and truly a worthy winner of the award”.

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