AFBI students demonstrate cutting edge of research

Postgraduate students in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) recently held a symposium at AFBI’s headquarters at Newforge Lane, Belfast. Over 60 participants, including full and part-time students and their supervisors met to share their research and experiences of postgraduate student life in AFBI.

AFBI has over 50 postgraduate students carrying out research across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including monitoring ash dieback across the island of Ireland, the nutritional implications of cow’s milk on human health and the economic impacts of rural development programmes in Northern Ireland and investigating methane emissions from livestock.  Eleven of the students gave short oral presentations on their research while others presented their projects as posters.

All oral presentations were assessed by an expert panel. Dr Cecil McMurray, AFBI Board member and a member of the panel commented, “All presentations were of a very high standard and the final selection was not easy.  I look forward to hearing more from the postgraduates in the future as they are a vital part of the AFBI community”.

Maria Kelly, a first year PhD student in Food Science Branch, was named as one of the runners-up for her presentation on “Nutritional aspects of cow’s milk produced in Northern Ireland”.  A second runner-up prize was awarded to Lourdes de la Mata Saez , a second year PhD student in Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch for her presentation on “Genetic and molecular characterization of Phytophthorora ramorum and kernoviae in Ireland”.  First prize went to Mark Little, a first year PhD student working in Agriculture Branch for his presentation on “Nutritional influences on immunity in dairy cows”.
 

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies. 

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office.

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