Plymouth student impresses judges in Parliament

A Plymouth University student has been highly commended in a national research competition after presenting her work to MPs in the Houses of Parliament.

Marine Biology student Victoria Sleight received second prize in the annual British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) competition, which invites students from all disciplines to submit their work in various forms including poster presentations, papers or creative outputs.

In its second year, ten students were selected from over 40 entrants at the Westminster event to present their projects to the judges.

Victoria said: “I was very proud to be highly commended. The calibre and diversity of student work was mind-blowing! The passion in the room was second to none and it was a real privilege to present amongst such a great group of undergraduates. I have no doubt many of them will pursue careers in scientific research.

“There is no point in doing science and not telling anybody about it. My success is thanks to my supervisors and the great academic staff at the Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, especially Dr Stacey DeAmicis, who encouraged me to enter.”

Victoria’s project focussed on plastic pollution. She investigated whether harmful compounds found on the surface of small plastics, known as microplastics, go into the tissues of the animals which eat them with the potential to transfer these harmful pollutants into the food chain.

Professor Stuart Hampton-Reeves, Chair of BCUR and Professor of Research-informed Teaching at the University of Central Lancashire, said: “Posters in Parliament showcases the fantastic value of research-based learning. We champion undergraduate research as it allows students to really delve beyond their formal learning and in some cases produce work which is of a PhD standard. It is a powerful learning tool which among students promotes originality, creativity and rigor.

“The judges had a really difficult decision to make as the quality of the posters was exceptionally high, but Talitha Bromwich (Sussex) and Victoria Sleight (Plymouth) produced outstanding research which they were able to explain to non-specialists with passion and conviction. Plymouth hosted the British Conference of Undergraduate Research in 2013 so it is really pleasing to see that Plymouth's commitment to promoting undergraduate research continues to produce such excellent students.”

Other posters included details of an innovative electronically controlled turbocharger which can reduce carbon dioxide emissions to a study of internet addiction in China.

Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning, Dr Karen Gresty, who accompanied Victoria at Westminster said: “I’m delighted that this is the second year running a student from our University has made their mark at this high profile event. It shows a continued dedication to the field of student research and we hope to keep this momentum going in the future.”

Victoria is now studying a PhD at the British Antarctic Survey looking at how Antarctic clams build their shells.

Registration is now open for the next BCUR conference at the University of Nottingham in April this year.

For more information http://www.bcur.org