autumn 201 autumn 2012016 666 leaves & leatherleaves & …€¦ · and is ready to go....

AUTUMN AUTUMN AUTUMN AUTUMN 2012012012016666

IIIISSUE 21SSUE 21SSUE 21SSUE 21

In this issue:

Welcome to our new

students!

Wellow makeover

Alumni Profiles (2, 15,

19, 22, 27, 30)

Correct names matter

Marine field trip

Newts at Newton Park

Slimbridge visit

Malham Tarn summer

school

Mexico OpWall trip

Research excellence

Meet the staff (16, 23)

Tree humour

Wellow working

The power of crystals…

Global Citizen:

Cambodia

Craig’s cheetah tales

Staff research, etc.

STOP PRESS! Biosoc

369,400 what??

Green, the best colour

Bill’s research

Bath biosensors…

Bath Spa triathlete

Graduation 2016

Welcome to Environmental Science and Biology!

Leaves & LeatherLeaves & LeatherLeaves & LeatherLeaves & Leather The NewsletterThe NewsletterThe NewsletterThe Newsletter of Bath Spa University’s of Bath Spa University’s of Bath Spa University’s of Bath Spa University’s

Environmental Science and Biology awardsEnvironmental Science and Biology awardsEnvironmental Science and Biology awardsEnvironmental Science and Biology awards

By way of welcome to our Freshers, we provide some words of wisdom/quotes - from various

sources (some more reputable than others…) - on how to survive Induction/Welcome Week.

There is a lot of stuff to take in this week, and you are unlikely to remember it all. So, if there’s

ANYTHING you are unsure of, please do ask a tutor. If s/he doesn’t know, they should know

somebody who does [NC]

SN is the abbreviation for Stanton; ST is the abbreviation for Stable [Hercules]

Remember you’re at University for three years; you don’t need to drink that quota in the first

week [J Walker, J Bean, R Bacardi, M Rose, J Cuervo, R Bull]

Pace yourself! [M Farah, S Cram, S Coe, D Bedford…]

Make sure you can log-in to your Bath Spa University account [W Gates, E Snowden]

Discuss your module choices with your Tutor, before you confirm them! [NC]

Make sure you know where (and when, and how to get there…) your first class is [JK Rowling]

Explore the campus! [R Fiennes, R Mears, B Grylls, T Heyerdahl]

Remember, everyone around you is in the same boat, don’t feel you’re the only one who is

feeling the way you are [S Redgrave, T Heyerdahl, F Drake, J Corbyn], and finally:

Don’t panic! [D Adams]

We hope you enjoy biology and environmental science at Bath Spa!

Your friendly, neighbourhood Tutors

New Year, new Wellow…

This summer has been an exciting time for the technical and academic staff of the BSU science

team. The Wellow building has had a face lift, a tummy tuck, and a nose job. Whilst the outside

remains much the same, inside is a large new teaching space which can be divided for more

intimate classes. With a dedicated project lab with black benches and its own safety cabinet,

this is a must for all budding microbiologists. The instrument room is slimmer and trimmer,

with all the old favourites of AAS, HPLC and GC, plus scanning spectrophotometry capability,

and is ready to go. There is a new prep. room with a new autoclave and glasswasher. These

machines will speed up the process of media-making and washing-up – very important with

the full time-table and large class sizes.

Blue is the colour, with accents of brown, turquoise and pink. We recycled a lot of the

kit so not everything matches or fits. But, the new space will seat 53, yes close to double the

capacity of the other labs. For practical sessions there will be two members of staff to assist

and advise you, an academic plus a technical demonstrator, and also a technician to replenish

kit.

The project lab will allow access from 9 am to 5 pm for dissertation and project

students – i.e. no more fitting in around classes or having to clear everything away. Two 4hrs

sessions per week day are envisaged and a booking will need to be made 7 days in advance.

This request should be accompanied by a complete list of your media and equipment

requirements.

Funding for this wonderful new laboratory complex has come from a HEFC grant and

BSU central funds. The lab with a price tag of nearly £300,000 is a significant investment in the

future of science at Bath Spa.

Jenny Beard &

Derek Beard, Technical Demonstrators

What have you done since graduating from

Bath Spa? After graduating I took some time

out to care for my Mum. After that I went

travelling for a year and loved it. I was

fortunate enough to go to be able to explore

the wonders of Morocco, take a 2 month road

trip (covering 6000 miles) around America with

three friends, brave travelling alone to New

Zealand and Australia and finally a short trip

around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

When I returned home I took a job in a

wonderful children’s book centre while I looked

for work. I decided after my degree that I

definitely did not want to do any more

education…

What made you want to pursue a Masters?

I found that my degree wasn’t proving to be

enough to get the job I wanted and decided

that I needed to do something to further

myself. I was deciding between applying for

internships or a Masters when I stumbled upon

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)

(www.cat.org.uk). I did my research and

decided that I wouldn’t be able to find

anywhere more suited to what I wanted to

study. I booked onto an open weekend and fell

in love with the location of the site and the

course.

What masters did you choose to study and

why?

I chose to study Sustainability and Adaptation. I

wanted to learn more about sustainability and

ways in which we can adapt to climate change.

The range of modules offered included learning

about the ways in which cities can become

more sustainable, energy flows in buildings,

building sustainably and with renewable

materials, and sustainability in food production

just to name a few topics.

Why CAT?

The course was something I’d not seen

anywhere else with a really special and

beautiful off-grid site as an added bonus. CAT

offer an unusual format for their MSc where

they run one module every month and have

Araminta Jackson [BSc (Hons) Env. Sci., 2011], MSc

Leaves & Leather

one week contact time at CAT (with onsite

accommodation provided) and then three

weeks at home. The week at CAT involved

lots of lectures and seminars and tutorials.

This format suited me well as it meant I could

continue to work at home and then fully

immerse myself in the week of intense study

when I was in Wales. It is the most incredible

place to be able to call your home every

month.

Typical module at CAT?

The standard day would be:

- Breakfast

-Hour and a half lecture or seminar

-Tea break


-Lunch break

-Two hour lecture or seminar

-Tea break


-Dinner

-An hour and a half talk usually by a guest

speaker from the industry or an ex-student or

a current student talking about a project

they’re working on.

-Drinks in the bar with students and lecturers

or a wander to the pub in the nearby village.

It was always an intense week but it was

always incredible being able to immerse

yourself fully in what you were learning,

without the distractions from home like

cleaning, cooking and work. It was also great

being amongst likeminded people, chatting to

them about their jobs and projects and

interests.

Most favourite part of the MSc?

Overall I loved learning new things again and

pushing myself to do something I never

thought I would do. But one specific memory

would be the final module I studied; a

sustainable building materials module. It

involved a hands-on week of practical

sessions where we got to learn how to build

with straw, rammed earth, hemp and lime

and timber.

“I booked onto an open weekend and fell in love with the location of the site and the course.”

“It is the most incredible place to be able to call your home every month.”

“It was always an intense week but it

was always incredible being able to immerse

yourself fully in what you were

learning…”

“we got to learn how to build with straw,

rammed earth, hemp and lime and

timber.”

Araminta’s biography concluded

… Least favourite part of the MSc?

Calculating U values – my brain isn’t cut out for maths.

How did the course at Bath Spa prepare you for the MSc?

It gave me a well-rounded background and lots of experience. I was surprised to find that I was

one of the only students to come with a science background (many came from the arts and were

wanting to change direction in their careers). This knowledge base stood me in good stead as I

understood the basics behind what was being taught.

The WISE building where lectures take place and where the accommodation is

(Source: CAT, 2016)

Best memories of you time at Bath Spa?

The Summer Ball at the end of university, celebrating the end of three incredible years at a place

that became my second home, with my friends. Many amazing trips to Cornwall with the surf

society, and a week in wet Wales with three of my best friends on the marine biology field trip.

Advice for current environmental science/biology students?

Take any opportunity offered to build your skills and your CV. Do work experience, volunteer or

find an internship. I wish I had done more of this whilst I had as much free time as I did when I

was a student.

Leaves & Leather

“Take any opportunity offered to build your skills and your CV.”

“I’m passionate about spreading the word

that plants are important, etc.”

“Small things, like getting names right,

do matter…”

Getting scientific names right I’m passionate about spreading the word that plants are important, etc. I therefore applaud

attempts that others make to disabuse people of the notion that plants are boring, and

unimportant. However, it is as important to get the message right as it is to spread the word in

the first place. So, imagine my joy when I stumbled upon the botanical accuracy website

[http://www.botanicalaccuracy.com/], a cyberportal devoted to … botanical accuracy. Curated

by Botanist Lena Struwe, it is a revelation! Recognising that mistakes are made in dealing with

plant matters, the "Better Botanical Business Bureau" showcases botanical mistakes – e.g.

wrong common names, wrong scientific names, and – importantly! – corrects them. Thus, it

hopes to provide scientific and educational information as part of a global effort to increase

botanical knowledge. One of the site’s most interesting items concerns the desire to get

newspapers to get scientific names set out correctly. Entitled “Dear New York Times, when will

you start to care about taxonomic accuracy?”

[http://www.botanicalaccuracy.com/2015/09/dear-new-york-times-when-will-you-start.html],

it deserves to be read – and acted upon! – by all print-based media that attempt to inform or

educate the public. Small things, like getting names right, do matter, so more power to the

BBBB in its noble nomenclatural quest!

Nigel Chaffey, Senior Lecturer in Botany

Leaves & Leather

The author

somewhere on Newton Park, before

the field trip…

“With a good night’s rest, we woke to find the gales subsided

and set out eagerly…”

“a strange collision of wild coast and

human infrastructure.”

Croeso I Gymru: Marine Biology over the bridge Last February, the final year Marine Biology students set out on one of the most anticipated

fieldtrips offered by the Biology Department at Bath Spa. Our destination was the Pembrokeshire

coast of South West Wales and our task: to study two different Rocky Shores on the Dale

Peninsula. Journeying to Wales in February you say? What could possibly go wrong?

After filling our vans with luggage and surveying equipment at Newton Park, we set off west

across the Severn Crossing, towards the darkening sky of a storm off the Irish Sea. On arriving at

our accommodation, Orielton House, we found the welcome considerably warmer than the

weather. The place where we were to be staying was a cut above your usual field centre, a fine

Georgian manor converted to dormitories, an excellent dining room with food to satisfy even the

pickiest student, and a stable block converted to lecture rooms which were to be our base for the

coming days. The House is owned and run by the Field Studies Council, a charitable organisation

that aims to promote environmental education in everyone from primary school to university

students. To do that it runs field centres like Orielton across the country at environmentally-

significant sites such as Slapton Ley in Devon and Nettlecombe on Exmoor [more information at

www.field-studies-council.org].

With a good night’s rest, we woke to find the gales subsided and set out eagerly (and only got

slightly lost in the centre of Milford Haven. Ed. – we weren’t lost – we were never lost – we

thought students would like to see the sites since we were in the area…) to our study sites on the

Dale Peninsula. The nearby town of Dale lay quiet after the storms of the previous day and the

views across the Milford Haven Waterway revealed a beautiful green coast of cliffs and little

bays. But the hulking oil terminal and refineries sat atop the hills above, and the conspicuously

large oil tankers sailing past, made the place a strange collision of wild coast and human

infrastructure. More historic evidence of human activities in the area came in the form of Dale

Fort, a Victorian gun battery sited on the tip of the Peninsula that was used to defend Milford

Haven until the end of World War Two. The site is now also owned by the Field Studies Council

and is an important research centre for the local coastline.

Now we were at Dale to do much more than admire the scenery. The geography of the

peninsula provided us with a rare opportunity to study two rocky shores that were in close

proximity but exhibited greatly different physical aspects and ecological communities. Our first

study site, Castlebeach was on the southern side of the peninsula and faced directly out to the

Irish Sea and takes the full force of the wind and waves that blow in. Our second site – Black Rock

– sat in a nearby sheltered bay facing Milford Haven, hidden from the wild elements of the open

sea. The physical differences between the site was impossible to miss, Castle Beach consisted of

near vertical rock, scoured and eroded by the waves, whilst Black Rock formed a gently sloping

platform down to the sea, covered in seaweed and rock pools.

We recorded the differences between the sites using belt and line transects running from the

upper shore to where the rocky shore ended and tidal sand began. We used quadrats to sample

the plants and animals that lived clinging to the rocks along the lengths of the two shores to

answer key questions about how the level of exposure to strong waves affects the local biota.

Which species were specific to each shore? Where on the shore were they found and why? Our

transects were specifically placed to allow us to examine the distinct shore zones created by the

changing level of the tide. Hardy organisms adapted to long periods out of water were found in

the upper shore and species adapted to immersion in the sea and were found lower down the

shore. Our identification of the flora and fauna at the two sites allowed us to create biotope

maps which revealed the distinctly different communities of species adapted to the high

exposure of Castle Beach and the sheltered waters of Black Rock. A favourite activity of mine was

learning to use a theodolite to collect topographical data from the shores.

The many different species from colourful anemones to a tiny blenny fish I found in a rock pool

made the Dale shores a treasure trove of fascinating species with a new creature or unusual alga

to be found beneath every stone and in every crevice. The organisms that did prove a thorn in

our sides whilst we were surveying were barnacles. Whilst they are fascinating creatures that

have amazingly adapted to survive the hostile environment of tidal rocks, their small size and

apparent similarity made species identification more than a little frustrating. I will not apologise

for this as even the great Charles Darwin after devoting a decade of his life to studying barnacle

ecology wrote “I hate a Barnacle as no man ever did before, not even a sailor in a slow-sailing

ship” (Darwin, 1852). But, I must say that, like Darwin, we persevered.

Orielton experience continued… “Our first study

site, Castlebeach…” [‘highlighted’ by

the Editor – NB it IS just one word!]

“Our identification of the flora and fauna at the two

sites allowed us to create biotope

maps…”

“A favourite activity of mine was

learning to use a theodolite to

collect topographical data from the shores.”

“The many different species

from colourful anemones to a tiny blenny fish I found

in a rock pool made the Dale

shores a treasure trove of fascinating

species”

“But, I must say that, like Darwin, we persevered.”

Leaves & Leather

Leaves & Leather

Away from the fieldwork, our learning did not stop. We were privileged to have a talk from

Mr Clive Hurford, a Conservation Monitoring Advisor for Natural Resources Wales (the

Welsh government agency that fulfils the roles of the Environment Agency and Forestry

Commission in Wales). Mr Hurford shared with us something that no scientist should lack

and that is a healthy dose of scepticism. His talk centred on the discrepancies found in the

estimations of percentage vegetation cover and species richness between different groups

of specialist observers and greatly questioned the validity of such data that ecologists use

every day. The take-home message was clear; always assess the true value of your data and

criticise your methodology. His real-world insight was invaluable.

When our final day’s fieldwork was done – after the soirée (!!) – and before we turned in for

the night, we marine biologists lost no time in exploring the local area. It’s not all serious

business in the world of science. As a reward for our hard work our esteemed field trip

leader granted us permission to visit the local pub. There we relaxed with a lovely Welsh

pint and some friendly games of darts and pool to top off our successful trip. Then the final

challenge was finding our way back to the field centre in the pitch dark.

For me, this fieldtrip was the highlight of my final year at Bath Spa. On behalf of the

students I would like to give thanks to our technicians Mr Darrel Watts and Mr Derek Beard

whose knowledge of species and our equipment made our work a success and especially to

Dr Nigel Chaffey without whom the fieldtrip would not have been possible.

I will always say that there is no substitute for getting outdoors, seeing the world around

you, watching the waves and getting your hands into rock pools. This is the only way for an

ecologist in training (not to mention valuable to many other disciplines of Biology) to truly

appreciate the natural world in which they will work and this trip has absolutely fulfilled that

for me. I have now journeyed to new places, seen a new horizon, made memories with my

friends and learned much of coastal environments and surveying techniques which I know I

will use in my future career. Oh, and I had a few lessons at skimming stones.

Richard Spiers, BSc (Hons) Biology, 2016 [photo credits: N Chaffey]

Reference

Darwin, C. (1852) Personal written correspondence from Charles Darwin to W.D. Fox. 24th

October 1852 [Online] Available from: https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/DCP-LETT-

1489.xml. [Accessed 5th April 2016].

Marine machinations concluded

“It’s not all serious business in the world

of science”

“As a reward for our hard work our

esteemed field trip leader granted us

permission to visit the local pub.”

“For me, this fieldtrip was the highlight of

my final year at Bath Spa.”

“I would like to give thanks to our

technicians Mr Darrel Watts and Mr Derek

Beard…”

“Oh, and I had a few lessons at skimming

stones.”

An introduction to the Great Crested Newt

Great crested newts (GCNs – Triturus cristatus) are native to the UK and distributed across

northern and central Europe. GCNs can grow up to 15cm in length, making them the

largest British newt species. They can be identified by their black/dark brown skin, coarse

‘warty’ appearance and bright orange underside which is patterned with irregular black

spots. Male GCNs have a stark white stripe on their tails; females have a yellow/orange

stripe. Males can also be identified by a jagged crest along their backs which becomes

more pronounced during the breeding seasons (April to May).

GCNs favour large ponds with abundant vegetation. They feed mainly on invertebrates

and tadpoles, and lay eggs individually inside the leaves of aquatic plants. GCNs are most

active at night, spending the majority of the day at the bottom of ponds or sheltered in

vegetation/rocks. Although the current conservation status of the GCN is ‘least concern’ [a

category that includes widespread and abundant species;

http://www.iucnredlist.org/static/categories_criteria_3_1], a slow but steady population

decline is taking place. Risks to GCN populations include predation by animals such as

foxes and badgers, habitat loss, the introduction of fish into ponds which predate newt

eggs, and the intensification of farming practices.

Nicholas Pearson Associates (NPA – http://www.npaconsult.co.uk/) are an environmental

consultancy which annually survey and monitor great GCN populations at Bath Spa

University’s Newton Park campus, in accordance with licencing and guidance from Natural

England. It is vital that these surveys are conducted to assess and mediate the effect of

terrestrial habitat loss and disturbance caused by the various construction projects on

campus. And they provide a valuable opportunity for undergraduates to take part…

Survey Methodology

NPA conduct their GCN surveys during the breeding seasons (April-May) when the newts

are easier to identify and more active. The survey I participated in was conducted on the

21st April from 9pm and the 22nd April from 7am, 2016. Two different methods were used

to identify the newts present in various Newton Park ponds; the torching method and the

bottle capture method. The former took place at night where a high power torch is shone

over the ponds and number of GCNs seen is recorded. After the torching method had

been concluded, bottle traps were set up in each pond and examined in the morning.

Results

Torching identified GCNs in both of the receptor ponds, in the Walled Garden and the

Italian Garden (south) (Table 1). No GCNs were found in Italian Garden pond (north),

which could have been due to the presence of fish which compete with GCNs for food and

predate newt eggs. Although fish were also found present alongside GCNs within the

Italian Garden pond (south) this is likely to be due to the fact that this pond had a greater

variety of vegetation and rocks to provide shelter for the GCNs. Examples of Britain’s two

other newt species were also identified in the Newton Park ponds (Tables 1 and 2).

Newton Park’s Newts

“Great crested newts (GCNs – Triturus

cristatus) are native to the UK and

distributed across northern and central

Europe.”

“NPA conduct their GCN surveys during

the breeding seasons (April-May) when the newts are easier to identify and more

active.”

Leaves & Leather

Table 1: Results from the torching method

Pond Observations

Receptor pond (nearest car park

to ‘gardens’ accommodation)

1 male GCN

6 palmate/smooth newts

Receptor pond (west) 9 male, 1 female GCNs

22 palmate/smooth newts

Walled Garden pond 3 male, 1 female GCNs

1 palmate/smooth newt

2 frogs

Italian Garden pond (south) 1 male, 3 female GCNs

Fish

Italian Garden pond (north) Fish

The bottle capture method identified GCNs in the Walled Garden and the Italian Garden (south).

No GCNs were captured in the receptor ponds or in the Italian Garden pond (north) (Table 2).

Table 2: Results from the bottle capture method

Pond Number of

bottle traps set

Results

Receptor pond (nearest car park

to ‘gardens’ accommodation)

12 1 male, 1 female smooth newts

1 male, 3 female palmate newts

Receptor pond (west) 15 6 male smooth newts

15 male, 4 female palmate newts

Walled Garden pond 10 1 male, 1 female GCNs

Italian Garden pond (south) 5 1 female GCN

Italian Garden pond (north) 5 1 male, 1 female smooth newts

Application of results

The results of this survey, as well as others taken annually across the newt breeding seasons, are

collated by NPA and enable them to identify any need for intervention to conserve the newt

populations. Methods put in place by NPA to help maintain GCN populations include leaving

ponds to colonise naturally, adding additional stones and plants to the pond habitats, deploying

barley straw in ponds annually to control algal growth, removing and redistributing fish, and

creating gateways in areas such as the Walled Gardens to improve habitat connectivity. Future

implications of the surveys may involve the creation of more ponds and continued efforts to raise

awareness of the GCN population living on campus.

Conclusions and personal reflection

Taking part in this survey helped to develop my understanding of ecology and conservation in a

professional context. It has allowed me to apply ecological principles to a practical situation and

reflect upon various management strategies that can be applied to protect the environment and

native species such as the GCN. The survey has given me insight into the decision-making process

of the consultancy which could be beneficial for me in future career opportunities.

Lucinda West, Year 3 Biology

Newton’s newts concluded

Leaves & Leather

“Taking part in this survey helped to

develop my understanding of

ecology and conservation in a

professional context.”

Many thanks to Nicholas Pearson

Associates for their work on Newton

Park campus and for giving both

myself and other students the

opportunity to take part in the survey

this year.

“The survey has given me insight into the decision-

making process of the consultancy which could be

beneficial for me in future career

opportunities.”

Leaves & Leather

Science out in the environment… “The second year Ecology module

provided the opportunity to visit

the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Centre in Slimbridge”

“It was really interesting hearing and learning about

the different methods that have

been used to monitor the swan’s

population…”

“we passed through the ‘World Wetlands

Zone’, which showcased six

different species of Flamingo.”

The second year Ecology module provided the opportunity to visit the Wildfowl & Wetlands

Trust (WWT) Centre in Slimbridge (http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/). Our

day at the centre began with a talk about the history of the site. The WWT is a conservation

charity that protects wetlands and the wildfowl that depend upon the habitat. The staff and

volunteers at the centre investigate the threats upon the wetlands on which people and wildlife

depend, and attempt to protect, repair and create new wetlands for people and wildlife.

This talk was then followed by several lectures about specific projects and species that

the centre had been recently working on. The first gave an insight to understanding the causes

of the Bewick's Swan population decline. It was really interesting hearing and learning about the

different methods that have been used to monitor the swan’s population, including computer

software that could predict future population patterns in different habitats.

However, my favourite talk was on the conservation efforts of the spoon-billed

sandpiper on the wetlands of South Asia, whose numbers plummeted to just fewer than 100

pairs in the wild! Slimbridge WWT took action and put everything they could in place to prevent

the species imminent extinction, and a breeding programme was developed at Slimbridge.

Slowly the number of young birds that hatch and fledge from the Russian breeding grounds each

year increased, by the team intervening and hand-rearing chicks. Very little was known about

this bird prior to this research, but now more and more is being discovered about the species

every day. Illegal trapping in Myanmar and Bangladesh is being tackled successfully by helping

hunters find other livelihoods. Huge efforts have been put in place into monitoring spoon-billed

sandpipers in the wild and researchers are now uncovering the mysteries of where they go and

when. For the first time the number of spoon-billed sandpipers appears to have stopped falling,

although it is still at a perilously low level. This talk really inspired me to work hard and continue

with my studies, so perhaps I too could save a species from extinction.

The final talk was about the aims of reintroducing Eurasian Cranes to the Somerset

Levels, from which they have been absent for the past 400 years. The cranes are reared from

hatching by staff dressed in ‘crane puppet/costumes’ to imitate an adult crane [Ed. –

unfortunately, we don’t have a picture of this…]. The juvenile cranes are then fitted with ID leg

rings and satellite transmitters before they are released. The project aims to engage the public,

landowners and the conservation sector, so that more people understand the importance of

conservation and the environment.

During the afternoon we investigated the reserve! After lunch – overlooking the

Eurasian Crane nesting area – we wandered through the ‘Riverlife Zone’, where we spotted

some otters. Walking back to the mini-bus, we passed through the ‘World Wetlands Zone’,

which showcased six different species of Flamingo.

Overall we gained invaluable knowledge and experience from this trip that you can’t get

from anywhere else. I would really recommend supporting and visiting this centre, to experience

first-hand the great conservation efforts that are in place, locally and around the world [Ed. – or

signing-up for the Ecology module and get in for free!]

Rozy Gray, Year 3 Environmental Science

In late July I was one of 50 fortunate undergraduates from universities all around the country

to gain a place on the British Ecological Society (BES; http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/)

summer school. We assembled at Malham Tarn Field Centre [http://www.field-studies-

council.org/centres/malhamtarn.aspx] in the Yorkshire Dales for a week of lectures, fieldwork

workshops, and careers’ mentoring.

The field course started with a plenary talk from Prof. Sue Hartley

[https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/plant-biology/sue-hartley/] who gave an insight

into her work on the availability of silica and its uptake and contribution to pest-resistance in

plants. Throughout the week we received more lectures from a host of guest speakers on

topics including microbiology, conservation, research communication and careers options.

During the stay we received helpful information about how to build professional CVs,

how to get actively involved in organisations such as the BES and Chartered Institute of Ecology

and Environmental Management (CIEEM; http://www.cieem.net/) and it was a great

opportunity to be introduced to the many careers options available to an environmental

science student and to be able to thoughtfully consider these options with advice from

professionals in the industries.

Throughout the summer school there were many opportunities to practise fieldwork

skills – some of which I had already experienced in my first year studying Environmental

Science at Bath Spa – including river kick-sampling, identification (ID) of flora, invertebrate

sampling methods and microbiology microscope work. There were also new skills that I had not

seen or used before, which I was excited to try, and which included cave work, bat

identification using bat detectors, UV invertebrate tracking, animal behaviour, and even

carrying out a titration on a river bank.

There was also time spent developing our ID skills. This mainly focused on the

invertebrates – with a particular focus on moths – and limestone flora. During the summer

school ID skills were regularly emphasised as a skill that is highly sought-after in the industry,

and we should invest time practising and becoming familiar with a variety of methods of ID as

well as becoming familiar with many species from memory.

The BES summer school was Informative, giving us lots of information about career

possibilities and gave us lots of ideas to consider for our futures. It was also a great place to

meet like-minded students and talk about our experiences of university and build friendships

with students from around the country. The best part of the summer school for me was having

the time with experts in their field who were able to give friendly advice in how to excel in their

particular area. I found their advice particularly useful when developing and trying out new

fieldwork skills. I really enjoyed my week on the BES summer school and it will be influential to

the rest of my time at university and has given me a great boost towards preparing for life after

my undergraduate degree.

Lauren Clarke, Year 2 Environmental Science

Summer School at Malham Tarn

“Throughout the week we received more interesting lectures from a host of guest speakers on topics

including microbiology, conservation,

research communication and

careers options.”

“I really enjoyed my week on the BES

summer school and it will be influential to

the rest of my time at university…”

Leaves & Leather

From the top of a hill, hidden deep in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve jungle in the Yucatan

peninsula, to the bottom of the charismatic Caribbean Sea there are many different organisms

to encounter. The beginning of my trip was full of the emotions one might expect; excitement,

apprehension, happiness that I would be spending the next 6 weeks in a foreign country, and

the thought, “what the hell am I doing spending 6 weeks in another country in the middle of

nowhere surrounded by deadly and dangerous organisms?” But, once in Mexico and met some

of the people I’d be living with, I realised what a truly amazing adventure I was embarking on.

Mancolona, the first camp we arrived at, could be compared to basic glamping in

England. We had a dining room, toilets (dry), tents on wooden platforms, bucket showers and a

classroom. The purpose of the first week was to learn how to undertake all the different surveys

and to acclimatise to the hot, humid environment we would be trekking in. Each day a group

would head out at 5am to participate in surveys. The surveys we were focusing on covered

birds, mammals, habitat, or ‘herpes’ (herpetofauna – reptiles and amphibians). Later, at around

7pm, the bat team would leave. Depending on findings, surveys could take up to 7 hours to

complete.

At the end of the first week we had a quiz evening featuring a pub quiz, science

Pictionary, music rounds, animal charades, and the balloon game! Our team, the Coral Snakes,

was at a severe disadvantage as the noise the animal made was used as the buzzer. Hissing

doesn’t compare with birds, ninja turtle or mountain gorillas! However, and after a terrible pub

quiz round, we ended up winning! And duly celebrated by toasting marshmallows and Salsa

dancing around the campfire.

Most people were apprehensive leaving the first camp as we were heading to Dos

Naciones, the toughest, most remote camp in Mexico. The walk up to the camp carrying our

bags was more than some of us could handle, and featured a 1 km hill, which was ridiculously

steep, with no real path (in places approx.. 20cm wide), and with a steep drop on the other side.

If any of us had fallen, the thick foliage would hopefully have caught us. The camp itself

consisted of cocoon hammocks, with Velcro at the bottom giving the illusion of giving birth to

yourself every morning, tarp-covered science and eating areas where food was stored on

shelves made from branches lashed together. A fire, around which there were logs balanced on

stones and there were two hammocks. The toilets were trenches which were dug anew once a

week. It took some getting used to.

The next two weeks were incredible. The amount of different animals, plants and insect

which I saw was indescribable! Living in such close quarters with 19 other people meant we all

got very close and helped each other out all the time. This was extremely important on

transects to keep spirits high, when some were finding them difficult and also when people fell

ill. Living in the jungle was very tiring as everything seemed to take twice as long due to having

to be overly-cautious in even simple tasks such as walking around the camp to avoid stepping on

scorpions, tarantulas, centipedes and – occasionally – snakes. Also, as some groups left before

sunrise, making breakfast on your own in the pitch black while howler monkeys and

chachalackas were waking up around you was very eerie!

Mexico’s many monkeys, snakes, spiders, … “what the hell am I doing spending 6 weeks in another

country in the middle of nowhere

surrounded by deadly and dangerous

organisms?”

“And duly celebrated by

toasting marshmallows and

Salsa dancing around the campfire.”

“The toilets were trenches which were dug anew

once a week. It took some getting used

to.”

“The next two weeks were

incredible. The amount of different animals, plants and insect which I saw was indescribable!”

“making breakfast on your own in the pitch black while howler monkeys

and chachalackas were waking up around you was

very eerie!”

Leaves & Leather

I learnt In Dos Nac there were four transects. Although T1 started only 50m from camp, it

was the most challenging transect of all. There were continuous hills ranging from mild to

nearly vertical where you had to absail (or in my case being so small, find an alternating

route of tree branches and roots and rock climb up). This, however, was my favourite

transect due to the unique diversity of habitats found along it. First there was jungle, much

like the other parts of the jungle I had worked in, but as I moved along the transect there

were patches of Milpa (areas of land that had been burnt down to create space for crop

growth). These areas created a sharp, defined boundary between rich green diverse jungle

and barren ash land. When climbing up and down the steep hills, one side could be dense

jungle while the other recovering Milpa land meaning it was fairly barren with a few dead

saplings and young palm plants. The last 200m of the transect was full of fallen trees with a

diameter greater than 1m which were hard to climb over. The last 10m had palm leaves

that were around 2m long, rather like a scene from The Jungle Book.

Spot the difference: Milpa (on left) and Jungle (on the right)…

From the different surveys, the ones I enjoyed the most were birds, mammals and

habitat. The bird surveys meant getting up at 4am and walking over difficult terrain in very

low light conditions. There were two types of bird surveys; point counts, which involved

stopping every 200m along a transect with the bird scientist noting down the bird species

that could be heard, how far away they were and how many individuals there were. And

bird mist nest surveys, which involved having to catch birds in mist nets to identify age, and

sex and take tail, wing and tarsal length measurements. Mammal surveys could take

anything from 3 to 8 hours. The time taken was dependent on the amount of tracks found

and how long it took to identify the tracks, date and measure them. I found that identifying

and dating the tracks was something I was good at and I enjoyed doing. On my last transect

we found peccary tracks 50m from camp and also a Jaguar footprint 200m from camp. I

had never realised how large the feet of a tapir are until I saw them! The most abundant

species found are peccary (collared and white tailed) together with Mazama sp.

As part of the research into the abundance and diversity of organisms, being

carried out in Mexico Yucatan Peninsula and the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, habitat plots

are also carried out. This involves creating a 20 x 20m quadrat which is split into four

smaller quadrats. In the quadrats the number of saplings, number and species of trees,

percentage canopy cover, leaf density and shrub density is recorded using touch poles

(used rather like a larger version of point quadrats….).

… birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc.

“Milpa (areas of land that had been

burnt down to create space for crop growth).”

“The last 10m had palm leaves that were around 2m,

rather like a scene from The Jungle

Book.”

“The bird surveys meant getting up at 4am and walking

over difficult terrain in very low light

conditions.”

“Mammal surveys could take anything from 3 to 8 hours.”

“On my last transect we found peccary tracks 50m from camp and also a Jaguar footprint

200m from camp.”

“This involves creating a 20 x 20m

quadrat which is split into four

smaller quadrats”

Leaves & Leather

The Hardest Jungle Night

The second Tuesday at Dos Nac I was lying awake listening to the rain landing on my hammock’s

tarpaulin. At the same time, I was praying. Twice before my tarpauling had fallen and drenched my

bedding and the bags under my hammock. Those times were during the daytime though and I did

not want it to happen in the dark!

My tarp was holding well and the sound of the rain was relaxing and welcome due to a

lack of drinking and shower water. As the rain got heavier I watched, by the moonlight, the pool of

water growing in a dip on the tarp and the little waterfall was filling me with hope. At 3am disaster

struck! The hooks of my tarp snapped suddenly making it spring back and shower me in water.

After screaming and using a few choice words I burst out laughing before sliding out of my

hammock, saved my sleeping bag and teddy and ran to the covered science area. After weighing

up the situation I ran back out to grab my raincoat, clothes and backpack that was slowly gathering

water. I managed to get everything to safety in the science tent, put on warm clothes and socks (it

got strangely cold at night), climbed inside my sleeping bag, sat on the bench and read my book.

At 4:15am the bat team returned to find me reading, surrounded by all of my belongings.

They convinced me to try to get some sleep, if I could find somewhere undercover from the rain. I

went to look in the first aid/baggage store area (a structure created from branches lashed together

and palm leaves as the roof and walls). It was at this point my head torch ran out of batteries. I

found the baggage area soaked and full of scorpions so went back to the science tent with my roll-

mat.

I made a bed on the ground under the science tent using two roll mats. I tried to settle

down to sleep but became paranoid I was going to be eaten by a snake or scorpion or wake up

with a tarantula in my mouth. Scared and melodramatic are two of the words to describe how I

was feeling. As well as tired, hysterical and annoyed!

At 4:45am I heard the bird team in the kitchen making breakfast so I went to say good

morning and ask Ezequiel (the bird scientist) if he had a mosquito net. I had a plan…

In the science tent there was a picnic bench made from branches lashed together. I

worked out that my roll mats would fit perfectly underneath the bench and then I could fashion

the mosquito net over the bench to create a “tent”. This plan started with me getting bitten by a

firefly and grabbing a bag with an unsuspecting lizard on it, which scared me when it wriggled

under my fingers. At 5am, I did not fully appreciate the fact I had accidentally caught a lizard,

which I think was an Anoles sp. After creating my tent, I climbed in and tried to sleep. 30 minutes

later I rolled over to find a millipede, about 20cm in length, climbing up the netting in front of my

face. I left the tent quickly and went to join the mammal team for breakfast. I watched the sunrise

while eating cornflakes and tidying the kitchen area, then headed back to bed.

As the sun was up I was less scared of what may try to kill me (not an over-reaction when

lying on the jungle floor virtually unprotected) so I managed to sleep. I was disturbed at 8:30 by

Olly, from the habitat team, collecting his equipment. He was surprised to find me under his feet

but was impressed with my make-shift tent. When I woke up at 11am I found the local Mexican

men who helped around camp talking to Ezequiel trying to work out what I was doing. I explained

and they laughed for a long time.

Although this was the hardest night, it’s one of the moments I look back on and realise

how proud of myself I can be for my quick thinking in difficult situations. It was this event (and the

fact I have managed to fall a total of 10 times on transects and not injure myself once) that earned

me the award of “Bear Skills” during the camp award ceremony.

Mexican nights can be the longest nights…

“At the same time, I was praying.”

Anolis tropicalis…

[Ed. – This is not a mistake. Although scientific names

should be italicised, this one is not

italicised because text in this side

column is italicised. In that situation, that

which should be italicised is left unitalicised…]

Leaves & Leather

Although this was the hardest night, it’s one of the moments I look back on and realise how proud

of myself I can be for my quick thinking in difficult situations. It was this event (and the fact I have

managed to fall a total of 10 times on transects and not injure myself once) that earned me the

award of “Bear Skills” during the camp award ceremony.

Left: what a hammock is supposed to look like

Right: my makeshift ‘tent’ [Ed. – seen through ‘4.45 am camera lens’..?]

In the evenings we tended to sit around the camp fire and talk/read/listen to music or

play games. The lack of technology and places to go meant that as a team we all bonded and

became very close. The group of people I was with were all amazing intelligent people. Aged from

19 to 24, we were from England, Mexico, America, Canada, Spain, Italy and other countries all

over the world, but all got along very well and everyone would help and support the others if they

were ill, homesick or just needed a cup of tea and the fire had gone out.

My favourite jungle experience was during a bird point count on transect 3, when a family

of spider monkeys decided to follow us and “play” with us. Spider monkeys love to play and have

been known to ‘high five’ and hug each other. The males call out and shake trees to encourage

each other to throw branches. They were so successful in this that at one point, Alex, Ezequiel

and I were surrounded by 8 adults and 2 babies. It got scary at times when they started to throw

larger branches, but it was amazing to interact with such incredible animals.

Things I learnt during my time in the jungle; not to walk bare foot, always take more food

and water than you think you’ll need, you will all need each other at some point, monkeys are

hilarious but in groups are scary, you can get very lost in the jungle, I can survive a lot more than I

thought I could.

Overall, working with Operation Wallacea (Opwall – http://opwall.com/) has been

amazing, and educational, and I will take away knowledge and memories I will never forget (and

inspiration for my Third Year Dissertation…)!

Annabelle Caley, Year 3 Biology, Philosophy and Ethics

[Ed. – to be continued in the next issue of the Newsletter…]

Mexican sojourn concluded (for now…)

“The lack of technology and

places to go meant that as a team we

all bonded and became very close”

“My favourite jungle experience was

during a bird point count on transect 3,

when a family of spider monkeys

decided to follow us and “play” with us.”

“monkeys are hilarious but in

groups are scary…”

“Overall, working with Operation

Wallacea has been amazing, and

educational, and I will take away

knowledge and memories I will never forget”

Leaves & Leather

HR Excellence in Research Award Bath Spa has retained its award in the European Commission HR Excellence in Research

Award. There are 291 institutions in total with the Award, 98 in the UK and 193 in other

European countries. The UK may have voted to leave the European Union, but universities still

see the value of the European Research Area. The retention of the award for Bath Spa

University came after a four-year external review, and the University is one of the first 50 UK

HEIs to achieve this benchmark. [Source: University Newsletter]

What have you done since graduating from Bath Spa?

As soon as I graduated I moved to China to teach English. I have lived in China for the past 2

years in various cities, teaching a wide range of ages from 3-50 years old. When I first arrived

I took a job in a university teaching speaking and listening to first and second year students. I

loved this job but I didn’t love the location so much. I was living in Wuhan, a main industrial

hub for China with a population of around 14 million. It has awful pollution and some days

when I looked out my window I was unable to see the building next to mine (maybe 20m

away). After 6 months, I decided to take a job with a new company and moved down to

Shenzhen, a city on the border of Hong Kong. I immediately loved this city as it’s built around

many mountains and has a tropical climate so it’s green all year round. Although the

population size is actually bigger than that of Wuhan, the pollution is nowhere near as bad

(this may be because it’s a coastal city so it’s all blown inland...). With my new company I

spent 6 months teaching grade 1 and 2 of primary school, then got moved to a new school

where I currently work teaching grade 1 and 2 of high school.

What is your current job?

As a high school English teacher I have to design my own curriculum as well as create and

administer spoken English exams. I see each of my classes four times a week, so there’s a lot

of lesson planning. In my spare time I do lots of private tutoring (this is where the money is!)

teaching Biology and English from kindergarten age to adults.

Typical day in the current job...

Classes start at 7:50 so I’m up early in the morning. I teach on average 3 45minute classes a

day so I have plenty of time in between to plan lessons and mark exams. One good thing

about Chinese schools is the 2 hour lunch break. Whilst Chinese teachers take out beds in the

office to have a nap. I go home to cook lunch. The school day finishes at 4pm, when I start

private tutoring or take Chinese classes for myself.

Most favourite part of your current job?

Seeing students grow in confidence. I think the biggest difficulty for Chinese students is

having the confidence to speak. Usually their reading and written English ability is much

better than their spoken ability, simply because they’re too afraid to make a mistake with

their pronunciation. Another good part is that I don’t have to fulfil office hours so although

the school day is 7:50am – 4pm if I only have one class, that’s me done for the day. Also the

food, I LOVE Chinese food!

… least favourite part?

Designing the curriculum. It’s pretty difficult to think of a year’s worth of topics, grammar and

vocabulary to study. This, combined with classes of 50+ students of varying English ability,

makes planning interactive all-inclusive lessons a hard task. There are also some parts of

Chinese society that are less likeable. Unless they’re your friends, Chinese people aren’t very

courteous towards others (and there’s a lot of them!). They tend to push in queues, barge

their way onto buses and trains, and will happily spit anywhere. This makes me appreciate

British manners a lot.

How did your course at Bath Spa help to prepare you for employment?

During my course at Bath Spa we had to do many presentation assessments. I think having

the confidence to stand up and speak publicly has helped me a lot in teaching. Also, I am now

looking forward to returning to Bath Spa to start a PGCE in Secondary Biology. Biology,

Hannah Bolt [BSc (Hons) Biology, 2014]

“I immediately loved this city [Shenzhen] as it’s built around

many mountains and has a tropical climate so it’s green all year

round.”

“It’s pretty difficult to think of a year’s worth

of topics, grammar and vocabulary to

study.”

Leaves & Leather

Hannah’s biography concluded

Leaves & Leather

especially human biology, is a topic I’m passionate about so I’m looking forward to returning to a field

I enjoy. English is fine, but it’s not science!

Best memory of your time at Bath Spa?

The moment I handed in my dissertation. Kind of a bittersweet moment where I’d worked so hard to

get it finished and was super happy to have it over with, but, could I have done more..?

Top advice for current Bath Spa Biologists/Environmental Scientists?

Don’t leave your dissertation to the last minute! I took ages deciding what topic to focus my

dissertation on which left me limited time to actually do it. Looking back, I wish I’d thought about it

more in second year and done some volunteering over the summer. This would have given me good

experience and meant my dissertation would have been done early. Ah, hindsight…

“Don’t leave your dissertation to the

last minute”

Ian in his best

mortar board and gown…

“The Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus).

Remember that.”

What, No, What’s brown and sticky???

Meet the Staff: Dr Ian Todd

What is your role? Subject Leader (Head) of Biology.

What do you do? I teach on a lot of ecology and behavioural topics and oversee the Biology

awards.

Favourite part(s) of the job: On graduation day it is great to read out our students’ names as they

receive their awards. It’s also great to guide students in their understanding of biology.

… Least favourite: Paperwork and long meetings for the obvious reason!

Most likely to be heard saying: “Can you send me an email to remind me to do that, please?”

Least likely to say: “Don’t worry about reminding me, I have a perfect memory”

Favourite Colour: Total Recall, because I don’t like answering some questions.

Favourite Plant: Lemon Meringue Pie (the lemon part)

Favourite Animal: The Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). Remember that.

Hobbies: I enjoy singing bass in local choirs, as it’s completely different from my day job.

Who said trees aren’t funny? Q: What did the tree wear to the pool party? A: Swimming trunks.

Q: What did the beaver say to the tree? A: It's been nice gnawing you.

Q: Why did the leaf go to the doctor? A: It was feeling green.

Q: What is a tree's least favourite month? A: Sep-timber.

Q: What kind of tree can fit into your hand? A: A palm tree.

Q: How do trees get on the internet? A: They log in.

Q: What did the tree do when the bank closed? A: It started a new branch.

Q: How can you tell that a tree is a dogwood tree? A: By its bark.

[Adapted from : http://www.ducksters.com/jokes/tree.php]

Leaves & Leather

As part of my Biology course, I chose the 2nd Year Work Placement module, and worked in

Bath Spa’s Wellow lab during the first half of my 2nd year. I chose this module for two main

reasons. First, it allowed me to get a feel for working in a career area that I could potentially

enter after I graduate (a short-term ‘taster’ to see if I’d enjoy such a job full-time…). Second,

it gave me the opportunity to gain experience that would assist in applying for future

positions within the field.

The tasks that I was asked to carry out during my placement were intended to give me a

wide range of experiences in the laboratory, representative of a real-world position, ranging

from preparing media and cultures, to maintaining the stock levels of the stores. In addition

to these tasks that were needed for the smooth day-to-day running of the laboratory, I was

also asked to complete a study to identify which tasks took the greatest time to complete,

and which component actions of the tasks could be changed to make the overall process

more time efficient. However, by the time the data collection for this study had been

completed, plans for the renovations of the Wellow laboratory had been finalized [see item

on page 1 of this issue of the Newsletter], Whilst this meant that the conclusions drawn

from my study were unable to shape the design of the new laboratory and preparation

room, most of the issues I identified were addressed in the new design in some manner.

Some of the most important inclusions which have been incorporated in the new build

include increased area of work surfaces and storage space in the preparation room, as well

as the purchase of an industrial, dishwasher. These additions to the laboratory, as well as

the creation of a dedicated dissertation research laboratory, should ensure that the

experience – for students and staff alike – in the laboratory is much improved.

Looking back at the placement, I can say that I gained many useful skills that will help me in

my dissertation – examining the use of bacteriophages [viruses of bacteria] to control

pathogens – and in future positions I apply for post-graduation. The placement also allowed

me to practise and expand my existing skill set far beyond what could have been achieved in

regular laboratory sessions in class. I have also gained an appreciation for how difficult the

position of laboratory technician is, and all of the work that occurs behind the scenes in the

laboratories on campus to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Before this work

placement, I didn’t really give much thought to how the practical sessions, materials and

resources were prepared. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was aware that the lab staff

prepared the materials, but that was as far as it went. After completing my placement in the

lab, I now realise the great deal of work – and planning – it takes to produce, prepare,

recycle and reuse all of the materials needed for just one single practical session, let alone

all of the sessions that occur every day throughout the year. And, whilst juggling the needs

and requirements of the various dissertation students that use the facilities on a daily basis!

The Work Placement module gave me the freedom to choose something that I would find

useful and interesting, rather than being directed to complete a placement that I did not feel

was useful to my future position. It also gave me the freedom to write the assessment for

the module in a way that allowed me to highlight the sections of the placement that

benefited me, and showcase some of the work that I completed as part of the work

placement. I would definitely recommend the Work Placement module to anyone who

would be interesting in gaining practical experience in a field of biology that are interested

in, and which can only help to make them stand out from the crowd when applying for

future positions.

Oliver Burrows, Year 3 Biology

Wellow work placement

The author

apparently trying to hide behind an ichip (used for assessing microbial life in soil – see Newsletter issue 20, p. 21) [photo credit: I

Haysom]

“I gained many useful skills that will

help me in my dissertation”

“it gave me the opportunity to gain

experience that would assist in

applying for future positions within the

field.”

“I would definitely recommend the Work Placement

module…”

Leaves & Leather

Crystals on my mind… As the end of summer 2015 was fast approaching the thought of starting a new life at university

loomed ahead. Although I was excited for the journey and the experiences university life had to

offer, I knew I was stepping into an unknown environment and this worried me. As a natural

worrier, the thought of this new journey was constantly ticking over in my head, escalating into an

inability to see the positives in the situation. I knew I couldn’t spend the rest of my summer

worried and anxious, my mind-set had to change.

One of my closest friends confided in me that carrying round certain crystals on her person helped

her to deal with different emotions such as anxiety. I listened to what she had told me, but to say I

was sceptical would be an understatement. She told me that my constant worrying had caused my

chakras to fall out of balance. She explained that the chakras refer to seven different wheels of

energy throughout the body [the crown, brow, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, and base

chakras]. Although this sounded a tad far-fetched, it had caught my attention. Out of curiosity I did

some research and discovered that if your base chakra is said to be ‘out’ you may be liable to

insecurity and anxiety. To redress that balance the suggested crystal was red jasper (a type of

quartz given its colour by iron oxide inclusions). Red Jasper is said to bring about the end of

something leading to a new beginning, which sounded very relevant to my situation.

Further research revealed that there were several other crystals that may help this situation, e.g.

smoky quartz which is coloured by natural earth radiation, sourced from Brazil, Madagascar and

the USA. Smoky quartz is said to help the release of pent-up anger and worry. Jet was another

suggestion, formed from the fossilised remains of trees, sourced from Canada and the USA, it is

said to promote calmness and expel worry.

The next step was to put these crystals to use. Literature in books and on the internet suggested

placing the crystals on the chakra at fault. In my case this was the base chakra, at my feet. At night

I slept with the crystals beneath my sheets, in line with my feet. After only a few days of carrying

out this strategy my worries began to disperse; the thought of university stopped being a

persistent burden and instead became a welcomed thought of excitement. Whether or not there is

method in the madness or it is just a placebo of the mind I am unsure, but what I can assure you is

that it worked for me.

Here’s a little extra information that supports the ‘madness’. Crystals’ role in mental and physical

healing has been referred to throughout literature for centuries including Indian texts and Chinese

writings on traditional medicine. The Bible also has 200 references to crystals and their healing

powers. Scientists have acknowledged, but cannot yet explain how, that crystals transmit,

transmute and store energy. Crystals vibrate and under pressure and some can produce electricity,

the piezoelectric effect (and is why some watches use quartz in their construction). Western

scientists have shown that the body’s energy systems such as chakras do exist; the California

Institute of Human Science have produced machines which can prove this.

Since I began using crystals I have recommended them to friends, many of whom have said that

they have helped especially when seeking concentration for exams and confidence for stressful

situations such as giving presentations. I have taken my interest in crystals and the body’s energy

centres to the next step by taking an angel reiki course. It is safe to say it has had a hugely positive

impact on my life.

It may sound crazy but – trust me – it’s worth a try. And, what have you got to lose?

Ben Fisher, Year 2 Environmental Science

Leaves & Leather

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USDA_Mineral_Smokey_Quartz_93v39

49.jpg

“The next step was to put these crystals

to use.”

“The Bible also has 200 references to crystals and their

healing”

“It is safe to say it has had a hugely positive impact on

my life.”

Thomas Bell [BSc (Hons) Env. Science, 2016] What have you done since graduating from Bath Spa? In the period between my final

deadline and graduation, I picked up my previous job as a gardener/landscaper in order to

get a bit of immediate income. A few weeks before graduation Dave Watson advertised an

internship job opportunity. The project involved a comparative study on the use of aerial

drones in assessing habitat restoration of quarries compared to conventional manual

assessment surveys. I didn’t hesitate to apply for this position and successfully got the job.

So since graduation I’ve been dividing my time between both of these jobs.


I’m currently a Graduate Intern working at Bath Spa University on a research project that is

being submitted for the Quarry Life Award (you can find our project here:

http://www.quarrylifeaward.com/projects/united-kingdom/biodiversity-restoration-can-

drones-provide-accurate-efficient-and-safe). My roles in this job have varied due to the

natural progression of this project. For example I’ve undertake background topic research

and literature reviews, I’ve been involved in undertaking floristic surveys, writing blogs to

update the public on our progress of the project (the blogs are on the website above), as

well as processing the photos we’ve taken by drone for data analysis.

A typical day in the current job...

There isn’t a ‘typical’ day; each day has been different depending on what part of the project

has required focus. However, a large portion of the time I’ve been in front of a computer

either researching or processing images as part of the project’s data analysis. The project is

therefore like doing a dissertation.


I love the fact that this internship allows me to practise the skills I learned and developed

during my BSc at Bath Spa. For example the researching element, the species identification

and surveying techniques; it’s great that the skill I learned weren’t just to pass assignments. I

also love the project’s experimental nature which is essentially evaluating surveying

techniques used in the real world; that gives it a sense of purpose. But, best of all, it’s

something different and is giving me an opportunity to learn new skills, e.g. image analysis,

which is new to me. I like that this job has presented me with new challenges to overcome.

… least favourite part?

Although I’ve viewed the image analysis as a welcomed challenge, it has meant that I’ve had

to learn from scratch how to use the ‘Bio7’ software. Whilst it gives me a new skill, getting to

grips with this software has been irritatingly time-consuming and rather difficult at times.


All the field trips that I’ve been on are probably my most memorable times (academically

speaking). It’s refreshing to take the lessons outside and see all the ‘textbook theory’ stuff in

the real world. And you’re always bound to learn about more than just the subject on

residential biology trips. I would go into more detail, but “field trip rules” and all that…

Top tips advice for current Bath Spa Biologists/Environmental Scientists?

Being organised and able to prioritise is a vitally important skill. When choosing modules, go

for those you’ll enjoy, but also with your career in mind. If you’ve got a plan, pick relevant

modules, if you don’t have a career plan, keep your skill set diverse for now. Someone with

relevant work experience is incredibly valuable in the eyes of an employer. So, take on new

opportunities that come your way, e.g. newt surveying, or helping out on Open Days.

Leaves & Leather

Tom, Top 2nd year Environmental

Science student in 2015

[photo credit: N Chaffey]

“A few weeks before my graduation Dave Watson advertised an internship job opportunity to the

biology department.”

How did your course at Bath Spa help to prepare you

for employment? “The modules at Bath Spa gave me both the

knowledge and experience necessary

for this type of job. The majority of the

skills I’ve gained are transferable and so are applicable not

only to this internship but any future employment.”

Leaves & Leather

Thanks to Bath Spa’s Global Citizen Certificate, I was encouraged to find myself some sort of

study abroad programme. I decided to go to Cambodia to collect data in a marine conservation

environment. Marine Conservation Cambodia [http://www.marineconservationcambodia.org/]

is situated on the island of Koh Seh, close to the Vietnamese border and an hour’s boat ride

from the mainland. The conservation project relies on an organic system where volunteers find

their place and contribute in their own way to the overall success of the conservation efforts.

This can be: doing underwater surveys, finding alternative livelihoods for fishers such as algal

aquaculture, teaching the children, helping with cooking/cleaning/maintenance, participating in

outreach projects, going on patrol, beach cleans and creative waste management… Basically,

anything you can think of!

What I learnt from 3 months in Cambodia

I started collecting data on coral-bleaching: swimming out to the coral reef every morning and

taking photos of four different coral colonies to monitor whether they recover their algae or die.

The complications of this were challenging: trying to use a quadrat underwater, getting an

infection and not being able to go in the water, stormy weather, low tides, etc. The four

different species of coral all seem to have re-attracted their algae and thus their colour.

I helped the team work on a presentation that was to be given to local governors, about

the need for more Marine Protected Areas. The presentation was based on reports written by

volunteers using local fish and invertebrate survey data.

I learned about the importance of patrolling in the implementation of Marine Protected

Areas. There are lots of complicated issues to do with corruption in the police, with illegal

Vietnamese fishers paying bribes to be able to keep trawling in Cambodian waters. The

Department of Fisheries are good allies as they genuinely want to protect the ocean. During my

stay, I helped remove nets from the reef and free any living creatures caught in them. We pulled

up several long fishing lines and crab traps. Whilst I was there, an electric trawling boat was

apprehended and the gear was confiscated. We found a dead seahorse in the nets.

Students from the Royal University of Agriculture in the capital Phnom Penh came to

spend some days on the island and it was great to meet the local students and share our passion

for the ocean with them. Most of the students didn’t know what coral was or how to swim

(slightly worrying when these are the future of conservation in the country).

I passed a seahorse identification exam and was able to conduct seahorse surveys, with

the results sent off to an international seahorse database as part of the citizen science project

iSeahorse (seahorse pictured is Hippocampus kuda).

Marine conservation internship: Cambodia “Thanks to Bath Spa’s

Global Citizen Certificate, I was

encouraged to find myself some sort of

study abroad programme.”

“Marine Conservation Cambodia is situated on the island of Koh

Seh, close to the Vietnamese border and an hour’s boat

ride from the mainland.”

“it was great to meet the local students and share our passion for the ocean with them.”

“I passed a seahorse identification exam

and was able to conduct seahorse

surveys”

Leaves & Leather

Cambodia conservation concluded.

The pressure of ever-looming deadlines, be they for a paper, a presentation or an exam,

results in many students becoming reliant upon the ‘on-the-go’ ease of the coffee shop

culture which took the western world by storm through the 21st Century. Bath city centre

alone has: 2 Costas, 2 Starbucks, 2 Café Nero’s, a Prêt-A-Manger, as well as multitude of

independent stores catering for the city’s population. Bath Spa University’s Newton Park

campus is its own little hub within the world’s coffee culture, with 5 outlets on-site –

Starbucks, The Refectory, East Wing Café, the Students’ Union (SU) and vending machines.

The nature of this ‘on-the-go’ culture leads to high volumes of waste production which can

severely dent the green ethos desired by the university. This leads to the question, What can

be done about all this extra waste we are sending to the landfill at our own cost?

When served a beverage, it is important to remember that it is not just a cup that a customer

takes away with them: They get a cup, a plastic lid (and potentially a cardboard heat sleeve),

and a spoon or stirrer. Although the cup may appear recyclable from the outside, its inner

layer is coated with a polymer, which means that the cup is not recyclable. Whilst the extra

components are recyclable within the BSU waste management system, a key question is

whether the consumer will invest the time to separate the recyclable parts from the non-

recyclable components. A quick calculation shows that if every student and member of staff

were to purchase one beverage a day, without using their own cup, 8,333 cups would be sent

to landfill – with a total weight of approx.. 344 kg – daily. Consequently, an academic year of

33 weeks – 231 days – at maximum output would be 1,924,923 cups weighing almost 80,000

kg (80 tons!!!) deposited into landfill. Although these calculations are based on the daily

extremes, this exercise illustrates the enormity of the issue that could potentially be

presented to BSU.

Through a campus-wide survey of both staff and students it was revealed that less than 35%

of the population was aware of the non-recyclability of the paper cup, and that most

purchase a take-away drink on campus between 2 and 4 times a week. It also showed that

Starbucks was the most popular outlet used on campus. From speaking to the SU and

Starbucks regarding the sales figures, it is apparent that combined they used roughly 12,000

cups a month, which would be approximately 100,000 per academic year. This would suggest

that in order to resolve the recycling conundrum the focus would need to be campus-wide.

Suggested ways of solving the issue include: composting, customers using their own reusable

mug, and the addition of a charge for a disposable cup (to offset the landfill costs).

Kirstie Thistlethwaite, year 3 Environmental Science

[Ed. – this was a project undertaken as an assignment to for the environmental sustainability

component of the second year Environmental Science core module and

“The aim is for the play to become an outreach project,

being performed in local schools to raise

awareness about destructive fishing

practices.”

“Another interesting project on the island

is the development of alternative livelihoods for illegal fishers…”

“The next project for MCC was the creation and

deployment of anti-trawling concrete

blocks…”

“I had gained many valuable skills and

enjoyed being part of an unconventional

conservation project…”

Beach cleans are an important and interesting part of life on the island. Along with the debris

itself, data are recorded as to what kind of rubbish is washing up and in what quantities.

Most of the rubbish was plastic, of all shapes and sizes (containers, straws, packaging,

cutlery, lids, bottles, bags). There was also a lot of polystyrene, lots of flip-flops, clothes and

fishing gear. It’s necessary to try and find creative ways of dealing with this waste. Bean bags

made out of grated polystyrene, stools from flip-flops, lampshades made of lighters (see

image on previous page) are some of the projects.

I helped put together a play for children which explains how destructive trawling is and how

alternative fishing methods can be used to restore fish populations. I used cut-up clothes

found on beach cleans to make the back-drops (shown below). The aim is for the play to

become an outreach project, being performed in local schools to raise awareness about

destructive fishing practices.

Another interesting project on the island is the development of alternative livelihoods for

illegal fishers, for example aquafarming. Grape algae, a commercial alga rich in minerals and

protein, is being grown experimentally in tanks and in the sea.

There are four children on the island and I helped them with English reading and writing

every day. We did art classes together and on one of my last days I hosted an exhibition of

their work. We auctioned off the art work and made US$40, which we spent on more art

supplies like paper and paint. It was enlightening to see children home-schooled in such an

unconventional way: they learn from being free to run around the island, interacting with

volunteers from all over the world and listening to the scientific marine presentations.

The next project for MCC was the creation and deployment of anti-trawling concrete blocks

that double-up as artificial oyster reefs, which help filter the water. We helped make the first

blocks as part of a pilot project and I also helped write the grant application proposals. This is

an exciting project as the potential is huge and far-reaching with possibilities of alternative

livelihoods, and investments from the private sector as well as NGOs and the government.

When I left, after 3 months (which I wish could have been longer!) I had gained many

valuable skills and enjoyed being part of an unconventional conservation project, meeting

people from all over the world with the same passion for diving and conservation.

Nina Clayton, Year 3 Environmental Science

Leaves & Leather

What have you done since graduating from Bath Spa? Initially, I increased my hours at the

part-time job I had through University, working as a teaching assistant in a special needs

school, while I applied for other things. Because I did well in my degree, and I enjoyed

research and writing, I thought I might try carrying that on into further study. I had already

been looking for relevant PhDs and there were a couple that interested me. I made it through

to the interview stage both times but came away without success. I was perhaps unlucky

(particularly for one at the University of Exeter where I had great feedback but they took an

internal candidate) but ultimately I think it worked out for me as I’m happy in my current job.

My advice would be if you want to apply for a PhD you either need to start looking very early,

or be prepared to wait a year to get what you want. Applying is tough, it really saps your

energy and you might well have to go through a number of unsuccessful attempts before you

get a place. Also you can always go back to study later in life, so it’s not the end of the world if

it doesn’t work out (as it didn’t for me). So then I broadened my search and started thinking

about what jobs I might like to do…


I’m a Commercial Generation Analyst for Good Energy (a renewable energy supply company)

https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/. In short: I help buy power from renewable generators.


Check my emails, replying to questions/enquiries from potential clients. Produce quotes for

them, perhaps ring them up to talk it over. Attend a meeting to discuss something new or

what we’re up to (!). Go the gym at lunch / go for a run. Work on improving our systems,

making things run more smoothly. Produce a report on… something ?!

It’s a surprisingly varied job and the company wants to be pioneering so we’re always

investigating new things. For example, I’ve worked on a project to incorporate batteries into

the national grid for the first time. Biology-related questions come up quite frequently. For

example, we are contracting a growing number of anaerobic digestion (AD) generators. ADs

are vats of biomass-munching bacteria which produce methane as they break down plant

matter and manure. If they’re powered by cow poo that seems fantastic: use up methane,

reduce climate change and produce power too… But what if they’re powered by energy crops

that can potentially be damaging to the environment to grow..? How about a little bit of

energy crop to top it up..?! How do you decide where to draw the line?


Talking to customers, sorting things out, winning new sites.

... least favourite part?

The amount of time spent inside can sometimes be a bit dull, especially on a hot day.


I think I’m lucky to have the job I have and I would not have been successful if it wasn’t for my

good degree classification and my passion for conservation and the environment. There are

lots of people with “green” degrees in the renewables industry and you might be surprised

how something like a study of kingfishers you did in the second year, can be intriguing and

impressive to your potential employer! FYI, there are lots of jobs in the renewables sector that

might appeal to Biology/Environmental Science graduates. After all, we’ve seen first-hand the

devastating effects of climate change, something to consider I’d say!

Mike Spencer [BSc (Hons) Biology, 2015]

“My advice would be if you want to apply for a PhD you either need to start looking

very early, or be prepared to wait a

year to get what you want.”

“It’s a surprisingly varied job and the

company wants to be pioneering so we’re always investigating

new things.”

“I think I’m lucky to have the job I

have…”

“there are lots of jobs in the renewables sector that might

appeal to Biology/Environment

al Science graduates.”

Leaves & Leather


There were so many highlights, the field trips being particularly memorable. I really enjoyed a

survey of water voles we had to plan and undertake at the Steart Peninsula. We spent all day

wading around in ditches but we did actually find one!

[On another note, try searching on Facebook for a certain Nigel Chaffey. You may or may not

find a video, that may or may not be hilarious, that I may or may not have uploaded…]

Top tip(s) for current Bath Spa Biologists/Environmental Scientists?

Take your degree seriously (it’s costing you an arm and a leg after all!), put effort into

everything you do and you’ll come away with a great sense of satisfaction. Most importantly

never give up… the biggest factor in your ultimate success or slightly less success is not how

brilliant you are, but how resilient you are. Everyone gets a bad mark; everyone feels at some

point like everything is against them. But you get plenty of chances to make amends, and in

the end you’ll make it—promise!

Mike Spencer on life after BSU concluded

Meet the staff: Mrs Laura Dodge

What is your role? I am a Technical Demonstrator.

What do you do? As a headline, I prepare for and assist in practical classes for Biology and

Food and Nutrition. I’m one of the many friendly faces that you will see at Bath Spa and I’m

here to help you to understand and gain experience in new laboratory techniques. I work with

final year students to undertake dissertation projects, and maintain our specialist equipment

that we have, for example our pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen meters. When the

students have all finished for the year, one of my favourite tasks is to work on developing new

practicals and improving any that haven’t quite gone to plan during the year. This past summer

I have been improving my knowledge on using our HPLC (High Pressure Liquid

Chromatography) machine that is located in Wellow. By evolving methods from previous

experiments I have developed a successful method for testing for caffeine in drinks.

My favourite part(s) of the job? The real ‘sciency’ stuff.

… Least favourite? The washing up.

Most likely to be heard saying: I’ve reorganised the cupboards and moved some things

around.

Least likely to say: I’ll stay and do the late shift.

Favourite Colour: Purple.

Favourite Plant: Tulip.

Favourite Animal: Tigers.

Hobbies: With two young children at home, who has time for hobbies! However, I love taking

family days out and picnics, and I’m an avid reader and love to lose myself in a book.

“We spent all day wading around in ditches but we did actually find one [a

water vole]!”

“Take your degree seriously…”

“I’ve reorganised the cupboards and

moved some things around.”

“I’m an avid reader and love to lose

myself in a book.”

Leaves & Leather

African cheetah experience: A long tail…

Now that “Intern life” was a wrap [see my “Safari so good…’’ article in issue 20 of the

newsletter – http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/society-enterprise-and-

environment/newsletters] and my time with GVI had come to an end, there was only time for

a quick embrace with my new found friends before I was to head off for pastures new. My next

destination, just a short six hours drive away, was “Nambiti game reserve” [www.nambiti.com]

situated just outside the historic town of Ladysmith and home to Kwa cheetah breeding

project [http://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/kwazulunatal/kwa-cheetah-breeding-

project/]. On arrival I was met by Desmond and Elizke Gouws, the project’s general managers.

After a short debrief and a quick tour of the lodge, myself and two other volunteers were

thrown straight into the deep end, after an introduction to Zulu the resident meerkat and Vega

the leopard cub, we were placed on ‘baby-sitting’ duties. Both animals were found abandoned

and lucky to be taken in by the project.

Only 11 months old and still in its infancy, the project was established primarily as a cheetah

breeding centre as well as offering a rehabilitation/rewilding programme to other injured or

abandoned animals. In addition to this was the inclusion of educational talks to any guests who

came to visit. Cheetah numbers have been rapidly declining in recent years; it is believed that

there are only 8 - 10,000 left in the world – including those in zoos and other captive projects.

This reduction in population is largely due to three major reasons. First, habitat loss, where the

open savannahs, a cheetah’s natural hunting ground, are increasingly being used for

agriculture and cattle grazing. Second, spotted cats including leopard, cheetah and serval have

historically been hunted for their skins to be used as part of ceremonial clothing within Zulu

culture. Big strides forward have been seen in recent years with charities (e.g. Panthera.org;

https://www.panthera.org/) working with churches within the Zulu communities to promote

the use of faux furs. Thirdly, and somewhat ironically, a cheetah’s biggest threat towards

extinction is itself! During the previous ice age around 10,000 years ago, numbers dwindled to

near extinction and consequently, today’s cheetah has been blighted with problems ever since.

Due to their poor genetic diversity, the world’s “fastest cat” is host to many issues such as cubs

born with deformities, males born sterile, and low fertility/reproduction levels. In an attempt

to save the cheetahs from themselves, South Africa’s Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has

orchestrated a meta-population programme across all wildlife reserves. This incorporates the

collection of each cheetah’s DNA for cross analysis with another before any relocation may be

permitted in an effort to increase genetic variation, and expand the population’s gene pool

and chances of survival.

The author (not in Africa, but the sun-

drenched Isle of Purbeck, UK)


“My next destination … was Nambiti game reserve.”

“the project was established

primarily as a cheetah breeding

centre”

“a cheetah’s biggest threat towards

extinction is itself!”

Leaves & Leather

The cheetah’s tale – extended…

In the beginning the Kwa cheetah breeding project was home to three adult cheetahs; Shadow

and Savannah, two female siblings, and Mikka the male. The role of us volunteers was to offer

daily support to Des and Elizke, i.e. enclosure-cleaning, feeding, implementing enrichment

strategies to all the animals, and assisting with daily interactions with guests. Often in the

evening, the lodge would need help to serve the returning guests from an evening game drive.

Life at “Nambiti” never had a dull moment; each and every day offering something different.

One of the hardest – but most pleasurable – jobs was being placed on cub duty with

Vega and the project’s two newest arrivals. Sky and Storm were two cheetah cubs found

abandoned on Nambiti game reserve by another lodge During my stay, the reserve’s ‘resident’

female cheetah had recently given birth to five cubs, but within days of their arrival, Namibiti

was struck with the sad news that three of her cubs had been killed by hyena. Mortality rates for

cheetah cubs in the wild, stands around 70% with many facing threat of predation from lion,

baboon and rock pythons. The remaining cubs were observed for a period of 24 hours for any

signs of a ‘re-emergence’ of their mother, but to no avail…

So, where there was only one, there were now three, and cub-sitting entered a new

dimension. Empowered with the responsibility of regular bottle feeds and walks around the

grounds of the lodge, the “tearaway triplets” as they were now known, gave cause for each

volunteer whose turn it was to sit them to become a nervous wreck. So much so, that, when nap

time came that didn’t just include the cubs!

“…and assisting with daily interactions with

guests”

“each and every day offering something

different”

Leaves & Leather

The cheetah’s tale concluded [for this issue!]

“During my time at the project the

management ran regular health

checks and also kept an ‘oestrus

log’…”

“Shadow was looking ever so

slightly heavier than a few weeks prior.

Might she be pregnant?”

But, first and foremost, this project was established as a breeding programme with the goal of

one day being able to reintroduce animals back to the wild. Unfortunately, the cheetahs already

in the project’s possession will never have the chance to return to the wild. They were born in

captivity and as such don’t possess the necessary skills to survive in the tough reality that is the

“wild”.

The current strategy employed by this project, and others alike, is to implement a three-tiered

generational system that ultimately ends with cheetahs being able to return to the open

savannahs of any of the Big 5 reserves. This can be only achieved by Shadow or Savannah’s cubs

becoming habituated to people in order that they may be trained to hunt in the natural

environment. This process can be passed down generationally with the eventual removal of

human interference. During my time at the project the management ran regular health checks

and also kept an ‘oestrus log’ to check the possibility that mating may have taken place.

Time, as you would expect, quickly passed and my three months at the project soon neared its

end. The cubs were growing fast and still living up to their reputation: Zulu the meerkat was still

trying to be boss, while Mikka, Savannah and Shadow were all doing fine, with only one slight

difference. Shadow was looking ever so slightly heavier than a few weeks prior. Might she be

pregnant? Pseudo-pregnancies are commonplace in cheetahs – Savannah experienced one a few

months before. With gestation lasting 90-100 days, unfortunately I wouldn’t be present for any

new arrivals, if there were to be any. But, I was hopeful that a new chapter for Des and Elizke and

the cats was about to begin.

Before I left for the UK, I still had time to say my goodbyes. I expected it to be a sad day, but for it

to be quite such a painful one came as a total surprise. For now, for me, the dream was over, but

not for long…

[The tale continues – look out for the next episode in the Spring 2017 issue of the Newsletter…]

Craig Buckton, Year 3 Biology

Leaves & Leather

Holly Dawson [BSc (Hons) Biology, 2015]

Holly ready for the wilds of Wales on the marine biology trip…


“I was ecstatic at the opportunity as I

struggled to keep motivated after

multiple job rejections.”

… least favourite part of your job?

How stinky the pathogen lab can be!

But, I’m becoming accustomed to the smell of raw poo sludge now…”

Best memory of your time at Bath Spa? “I had a great time and miss being a student as the real

world is tough!”


Since graduating, I received an offer for a Scientist position with Wessex Water

[https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/] in the microbiology lab. I was ecstatic at the opportunity as

I struggled to keep motivated after multiple job rejections. But, fear not! It will always work

out in the end – with persistence and self-confidence.


As a microbiologist with Wessex Water I undertake the analysis of water samples from homes,

reservoirs and rivers, and also sewage sludge from treatment works. Throughout the

laboratory there are multiple daily methods carried out to determine water quality. My main

area is within the pathogen lab where I test for the presence of faecal coliforms such as

Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and other pathogens including Salmonella in sludge

and Legionella in water samples. All of which gives an indication of whether the raw and

treated samples will have harmful impacts to human health. I have also been trained in the

Cryptosporidium lab where complex methods are used to enumerate this parasite from water

samples and recover the oocysts to view under a microscope (which look really cool!).


There is sufficient training experience within the lab as there are opportunities to be trained in

other areas. This provides an interesting mix of methods and microbiological techniques

ensuring no day is the same. Typically, the day begins with checking all equipment, calibrating

before use and planning the day to be efficient and get all analysis completed. There are time

restrictions with each method as samples must be analysed carefully, incubated accurately,

and results read within the correct time frame.


I enjoy the buzz of the lab and working with such a supportive team whilst carrying out a role

with major responsibility. I am able to focus on tasks and apply my own knowledge to improve

methods and I am encouraged to develop my personal skills. The research and analysis is very

interesting and I have been given an opportunity to start a new project with a senior scientist.

We are comparing two methods statistically, to see if we can get the same result from using

different media. If successful, this will give the customer a result after 24 hours, rather than 72

hours. In addition, Wessex Water paid for me to become a member of the Royal Society of

Biology, where my next goal is to apply to become a Registered Scientist.


Previous experience from modules at Bath Spa helped me massively. Although I took some

modules in medical and microbial biology, I lacked microbiological experience. However, that

wasn’t a hindrance in applying for my current position [and my course did provide me with the

knowledge and understanding of aseptic techniques that I now use on a daily basis].

Additionally, I have a much better understanding of statistics from my dissertation that I can

use in my job now.

Top advice for current Bath Spa Biologists/Environmental Scientists?

My advice to any student would be to start looking for jobs early, be prepared and get help

with writing your CV to make yourself sound amazing. Secondly, be yourself in interviews, my

employer loved my enthusiasm to learn and thought I would fit in with the young team; they

want you to enjoy work and get on with everyone. Wessex Water are always very keen for

work experience students in the lab…

Research papers

de Sequeira A, Haysom I & Marshall R (2015), Food Safety Training and Teaching in the United

Kingdom and Europe in "Emerging Issues in Food Safety Systems and Ecology", Ricke SC,

Donaldson JR & Phillips CA (editors), Elsevier.

Hill J, Thomas G, Diaz A & Simm D (2016) Borderland spaces for learning partnership:

opportunities, benefits and challenges. Journal of Geography in Higher Education 40(3): 375–

393.

Simm D & Marvell A (2015) Gaining a “sense of place”: Students’ affective experiences of place

leading to transformative learning on international fieldwork. Journal of Geography in Higher

Education 39(4): 595-616.

Slowakiewicz M, Whitaker F, Thomas L, Tucker ME, Zheng Y, Gedl P & Pancost RD (in press)

Biogeochemistry of intertidal microbial mats of Qatar: new insights from organic matter

characterization. Organic Geochemistry.

Technical Reports

Greshon S, Russell L & Starkie G (2016) Ecological Impact Assessment to support detailed

planning application for Phase 1 development of food processing factory. Technical Report for

TSL Projects Ltd.

Greshon S (2016) Annual Review of Works undertaken in 2015/2016 and planned for 2017

(pursuant to condition 23) at Hines Pit, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset. Technical Report for

Hanson Aggregates Ltd.

Thomas L (2016) Technical report (unpublished) for Hanson UK; Mells Valley S106 Tufa Springs

Monitoring. Hydrochemical and biological factors.

Thomas L (2016) Report for the Riverfly Partnership database (unpublished): Riverflies in the

River Mells. Sampling and identification of key species in order to monitor the biological quality

of the river water. The Mells Valley Monitoring Group.

Conferences

Johnson RM, Edwards E, Gardner J & Diduck A (2015) Understanding the vulnerability and

resilience of mountain communities- an appraisal of the Phojal Nalla watershed, Himachal

Pradesh, India. Perth III: Mountains of Our Future Earth, October 2015.

Diduck A, Edwards E, Gardner J & Johnson RM (2016) Community heritage and resilience in

Indian Himalayan landscapes changed by disastrous flood events. Landscaping Change

Conference, BSU, March 2016.

Edwards E & Johnson RM (2016) Floods impacting the vulnerability and resilience of mountain

communities. Delhi School of Economics, Geoforum Symposium, April 2016.

Simm D & Marvell A (2016) Applying pedagogies to wicked problems in Geography. Paper

presented at RGS-IBG annual conference at Royal Geographical Society, London, August 2016.

A selection of staff outputs This is a selection of

the various publications, scholarly communications, and other outputs from –

and funding successes of – members of the

Biology and Environmental

Science tutor teams since the previous

Freshers’ Week issue of the Newsletter (No.

19).

Names of BSU staff are shown in bold.

Leaves & Leather

Leaves & Leather

Selected staff outputs concluded

BSU’s new Biosoc!

Book Reviews

Chaffey N (2015) http://aobblog.com/2015/11/the-beast-is-released

Chaffey N (2016) https://aobblog.com/2016/06/blooming-brilliant-botanical-miracles/

News columns

Chaffey N (2015) Plant Cuttings, September. Annals of Botany 116(3): iii-v.

Chaffey N (2016) Plant Cuttings, August. Annals of Botany 118(2): iv-vii.

Invited lectures

Chaffey N (2015) The sensitive plant [a TED-type talk delivered in Freshers’ Week 2015]

Chaffey N (2016) 10 things everybody should know about plants. [An Open Lecture delivered to

visiting 6th Formers in June 2016]

de Sequeira A (2015) Food of the future – What will be on our plates?, A paper presented at the

Food and Nutrition Awareness Day, Bath Spa University, UK.

Grants, awards, and funding

Edwards E & Johnson RM. Bath Spa/Santander Pioneer Award: Visit to Mexico and USA (University

liaison in Mexico City, India research meetings/data collection in Colorado, presentation of India

and Lake District flood research at the 5th International Palaeoflood Conference – South Dakota,

USA) (May 2016).

Edwards E & Johnson RM. HEQR Seed Funding: Visit to British Library to research newspaper/

documentary accounts of historical hazard events in the Kullu Valley, Northern India (June 2016).

Hosker B. HEQR Seed Funding. [See Bill’s item about this in this issue of the newsletter].

Thomas L. HEQR Seed Funding for pilot study: Development of a low-hazard organic fertiliser.

Watson D/Bath Spa Biology and Environmental Science Team. Quarry Life Award. [see Tom Bell’s

item about this in this issue of the Newsletter]

STOP PRESS: Biological Society!

As of this academic year (2w016/17), Bath Spa University will have its own Biosoc! The Biosoc

aims to provide a range of activities including study help and weekly study meetings, biology

themed day trips, lectures, and socials.

Biosoc committee members are as follows:

President – Hannah-Jade Parker; Secretary – Laura Murray; Treasurer – Chelsie Dyer; and Social

Secretary – Jess Carr-Taylor.

Watch out for more announcements about this exciting venture.

Leaves & Leather

Claire Soulsby [BSc (Hons) Biology, 2013]

“I’ve also spent three years

volunteering at Cheltenham

Science Festival; it’s brilliant!”

“I also like Cake Mondays!”

“Bath Spa taught me a lot about time

management, organising and

prioritising my work load, being able to

communicate to and work with a wide range of people.”


Lots of different jobs, I’ve also spent three years volunteering at Cheltenham Science Festival;

it’s brilliant! Not only do you get to meet and see world famous scientists, you also meet lots of

other students, graduates and PhD students. In October I’m starting a Masters Course with the

Open University in dementia and drug development.


I’m a Laboratory Assistant at Bath University, it’s our job to make sure that everything is set up

and ready for practical, this could be getting animals, plants and equipment ready, making

solutions, pouring plates and dispensing liquids.


We usually have a number of make-up sheets on the go, these are giving to us by the person

running the practical and list all the things that are needed. As well as these we need to feed

and clean the various animals we keep, we have a corn snake, frogs, axolotls, giant African land

snails and helix snails. Every term we have one or two groups of children come in from local

schools for widening participation days. We set up a number of experiments for them to do

and support them; it’s noisy but lots of fun! At the interview I was asked if I minded creepy-

crawlies. I don’t, and mentioned that I did my dissertation on giant African land snails. It turned

out they had a colony of these magnificent molluscs, but no one really knew anything about

them; they were just put out for comparison to our native snails. So, I produced a fact sheet

and was asked by the lecturer to give a short talk about them to the first year students, which

was nerve-wracking but a great experience.


No two days are ever the same. One day you could be setting out fossils and preserved

animals, the next you could be pouring 700+ agar plates. We are a small friendly team. I also

like Cake Mondays!

... least favourite part?

Probably the same things I didn’t like as a student, for example practicals that are scheduled to

run till 6pm on a Friday! Lots of equipment means lots of washing up.


Apart from the obvious skills in Biology, it taught me a lot about time management, organising

and prioritising my work load, being able to communicate to and work with a wide range of

people.


The friends I made. As a mature student I thought I’d not be as active in the socialising side of

University life, but I was made to feel like just another student and invited to many a good

night out and house party. We still keep in contact and it’s great to see how everyone is getting

on since graduation.

Top tip(s) for current Bath Spa Biologists/Environmental Scientists?

One, while your Degree grade is important, most employers look at the whole picture. They

want to see you got involved in wider activities, which could be short- or long-term

volunteering, societies and/or part-time work, even if it has nothing to do with your long-term

plans. I spent most of my time in my interview for this job talking about Cheltenham Science

Leaves & Leather

Claire’s biography concluded

“… be nice to your Laboratory Assistants and Technicians, tidy up after yourselves, and say thank-you”

“the most up-to-date tally is now 369,400

angiosperm (flowering plant) species…”

“31,128 plant species currently have

documented uses”

“21% of global plant species are currently

threatened with extinction”

plans. I spent most of my time in my interview for this job talking about Cheltenham Science

Festival, Bath TAPS and the Widening Participation job I had as a student. I also bonded with

one of my interviewers about how we both had had retail jobs and hated them! Two, be nice to

your Laboratory Assistants and Technicians, tidy up after yourselves, and say thank-you. You

never know when you might need their help or advice, even long after graduation when you

need seeds for a practical and can’t find a stockist anywhere (thank you, Darrel!)

Feel free to follow me on twitter @talesfromme for daily mumblings of a Lab Assistant and the

things I get up to at #cheltscifest, which I did again last June.

[Ed. – since penning this piece Claire has been promoted to Teaching and Research Technician.

This role has extra responsibilities such as taking care of the glasshouses and growing rooms at

the University, attending research meetings, supporting research staff and PhD students and –

during term time – preparing and supplying the plants for undergraduate practicals…]

How many???

Being an avid supporter of the importance of plants, I’m always keen to share with my

students [well, any- and everybody really…] how many plant species there are. For several

years the best – i.e. biggest! – number I’d found was 352,000 species of flowering plants (Alan

Paton et al., Taxon 57: 602–611, 2008). Although officially an estimate, it’s quite impressive.

However, the most up-to-date tally is now 369,400 angiosperm (flowering plant) species (RBG

Kew (2016) The State of the World’s Plants Report – 2016 – http://science.kew.org/strategic-

output/state-worlds-plants).

But, and regardless of how many there are, why should we be interested in all – or

indeed any – plants anyway? Well, directly (e.g. as food for humans) or indirectly (as food for

the animals whose flesh and/or other products we humans eat), plants are essential to keeping

people alive. But they contribute so much more than that. That same Kew Report states that

31,128 plant species currently have documented uses

[https://stateoftheworldsplants.com/useful-plants], over half (19,192) of which are used

‘socially’ (! ) or medicinally, more than a third have a materials use, and 9,187 are exploited as

food for humans and other animals. All of that’s on the positive side for plants.

On the negative side, 21% of global plant species are currently threatened with

extinction according to IUCN Red list criteria [http://www.iucnredlist.org/], i.e. are in the

Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered categories (Neil Brummitt et al., PLoS ONE

10(8): e0135152. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135152;

http://www.threatenedplants.myspecies.info/; http://www.kew.org/science-

conservation/research-data/science-directory/projects/sampled-red-list-index-plants). And –

maybe surprisingly – almost a third of that risk is because of conversion of land for agriculture

[https://stateoftheworldsplants.com/extinction-risk]. Which basically means that, if we are to

have any chance of studying the plant diversity that exists (or is estimated so to do), we need

to work to conserve the habitats wherein plants live (i.e. look after this planet a whole lot

better than we’re doing at present! Now there’s a novel notion…).

There’s much more in the Kew Report than those facts I’ve cherry-picked above (but

best to do so whilst there are still cherries left to pick…), so do download your own copy – it’s

free – and find your own reasons to be cheerful/scare yourself to sleep with its somewhat

depressing statistics.


Suicidal cells, smoked sausages, and spices…

I was kindly given some ‘seed-funding’ (i.e. money) (thank you, Bath Spa!) to buy some equipment

and reagents to start investigating the effects of potential antioxidants on reactive species (RS),

and the effect these may have on cells. Many different RS are produced by cells in your body

constantly through metabolic processes. Your cells are also exposed to them in other ways, e.g.

through diet (processed meats such as smoked sausages have been in the headlines recently). RS

can react with important molecules in your cells and prevent them functioning correctly; RS have

been linked to disease states, such as cancer (where cells survive and proliferate inappropriately),

neurodegenerative diseases (where neurons die inappropriately) and type 1 diabetes mellitus

(DM), where pancreatic beta cells die.

The inappropriate cell death involved in many neurodegenerative diseases and type 1 DM

is cell suicide, where the cells themselves initiate their own destruction. There is a lot of research

that suggests excess RS, or a limited ability of some cells to safely deal with RS, is involved in

initiating this suicidal death. Most cells in your body have the ability to commit suicide, and it is a

good job to! Individual cells committing suicide protects you (as a whole, fantastic organism) from

cancer. It is an advantage to a multicellular organism (such as your lovely self) to have cells with

this ability, as it allows cells that have suffered significant DNA damage to eliminate themselves,

preventing proliferation of such DNA-damaged cells that may lead to mutations, and which may

lead on to tumour formation.

Epidemiological studies which look at and compare populations often suggest foods that

could offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases and cancer (e.g. some spices have been

suggested to protect from both). Much of the work I plan to do will use chemicals found in foods

that are thought to act as antioxidants. I will test their antioxidant abilities against a range of RS

and use the newly-bought equipment to measure the effect, if any (and it is an ‘if’ – this is

research!) on cell viability (answering the question, do more cells live or die in the presence of the

antioxidant?). As important will be measurements of the number of cells dying by committing

suicide in response to the RS and putative antioxidants.

“12% lower rate of all-cause non-accidental

mortality”.

“green vegetation has some ‘protective effect’

on humans.”

Bill takes a sideways

look at life…

“The inappropriate cell death involved in many

neurodegenerative diseases and type 1 DM is cell suicide,

where the cells themselves initiate their

own destruction.”

Leaves & Leather

I like plants-and-people stories – especially those that demonstrate benefits of humankind’s

association with our vegetable co-habitants of planet Earth.

This item certainly fits the bill. It’s a medical study whose main message is elegantly

summarised thus: “Women in the U.S. who live in homes surrounded by more vegetation appear to

have significantly lower mortality rates than those who live in areas with less vegetation, according

to a new study” (www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160414170015.htm). That new study –

of 108,630 women in the USA – by Peter James et al. (Environmental Health Perspectives 124:

1344–1352, 2016) demonstrates that those living in the greenest areas (chlorophyll levels were

determined by a satellite image-based vegetation index) had a “12% lower rate of all-cause non-

accidental mortality”.

Although the team acknowledge that more research is required to determine the nature of

this relationship, and between other natural environments and health, the results do at least show

that green vegetation has some ‘protective effect’ on humans. Well, at least they do for the study’s

cohort, who were primarily White, non-Hispanic women of normal weight, but with low levels of

physical activity living in metropolitan areas of the USA. However, I suspect this ‘green advantage’

can be found for all peoples – even men – but I’m enough of a scientist to acknowledge that we

ought to await evidence-based reports before we can conclude that definitively. Is that an idea for

a student project..?


Green really is the best colour

SC, SS, and S concluded… Determining if an individual cell is in the process of suicide is not easy, but there are clues; one of

these is the packaging up of the destroyed nucleus (see picture). During the suicide process the

cell will destroy its genome (DNA) and neatly pack it up (shown in the UV light microscopy

images to the right).

Non-suicidal pancreatic beta cell,

seen under light microscope (X400)

Same cell, stained with acridine orange.

Nucleus is whole.

Suicidal pancreatic beta cell,

seen under light microscope (X400)

Same cell, stained with acridine orange.

Nucleus chopped to bits and neatly packed.

If an effect is identified, there could be further work to understand how an RS can cause a cell to

commit suicide. For example one could investigate molecular changes that may alter signalling

within the cells, which could lead a cell to commit suicide and understand how the putative

antioxidants can interfere with this.

Bill Hosker, Senior Lecturer in Human Biology

Sources:

Happy emoji https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smiley.svg in public domain.

Sad emoji https://pixabay.com/en/emoticon-sad-cry-unhappy-sadness-937608/ in the public

domain.

Leaves & Leather

“Determining if an individual cell is in

the process of suicide is not easy”

“If an effect is identified, there

could be further work to understand how an RS can cause a

cell to commit suicide.”

During my 2nd year at Bath Spa University I opted to take the Work Placement module. In all

honesty, I chose it thinking it would be a nice easy module, which would take up little of my time

allowing me to concentrate on my other modules throughout the year. By the end of the year my

opinion had, of course, changed. The Work Placement module is perfect for anyone who loves

hands-on experience and who wants to apply theories learned in a lecture theatre to real-life

situations.

My placement wasn’t one of the more obvious ones found by a lecturer’s eMailed advertisement

or online career-hub page, it was in a PhD laboratory at the University of Bath. Thanks to a friend

who was undertaking his PhD at the time I was able to e-mail one of the professors in the

Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and secure myself a 3 month placement

(getting a good job in the Research and Development sector is all about contacts, with a little

name-dropping for good measure!)

Whilst there I worked with a group of postgraduate Marie-Curie Research Fellows who were

cultivating the idea of a ‘Lab-on-a-chip’. The specific device that I was involved with was a gold

nanoparticle-based platform serving as a biosensor that detects biomarkers for breast cancer.

This work involved postgraduates in the areas of surface chemistry, physics, math, bio-

technology and electronics.

My role at the University of Bath was as a laboratory-based research assistant. This involved

carrying out experiments involving the preparation of measurement buffers, taking

measurements, and collecting basic data to identify optimal parameters for the device. My main

task, however, was in the preparation of the biosensor itself. Before any data could be collected

and analysed the biosensor had to be made anew for each experiment carried out and the

protein sample applied.

This lengthy procedure involved several steps including: Intensive cleaning of gold electrodes

(including a combination of sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide); electrochemical

polymerisation to create a 3D-surface; electrochemical deposition of copper (II) acetate as a

redox marker; incubating the fabricated biosensor in a solution for breast cancer ‘biomarkers

such as HER2 and HER4 (e.g. http://www.mayoclinic.org/breast-cancer/expert-answers/faq-

20058066); and measuring conductivity to analyse stability of the biomarker protein. Only then is

the biosensor ready to detect any change in the biomarker investigated.

This type of device shows great promise as a tool for future cancer diagnosis and treatment. The

test can use various dilutions of blood samples in which HER2 and HER4 can be found and so only

the tiniest of blood samples need be taken for a diagnosis and can be done with relative lack of

invasiveness for the patient. Other characteristics that give this device promise include its

reliability, sensitivity and potential low cost, but also its readily-portable properties (making it

available to even the less economically developed countries and remote places with difficult-to-

access hospitals or clinics).

This was the most academically interesting experience I think I have had so far and has really

made me consider a career in R&D within academia. Also, due to the length of the project and

the work that I undertook, I was given an internship certificate by Dr Pedro Estrela which will help

me immensely when applying for a postgraduate opportunity in the near-future.

Joshua Rainbow, Year 3 Biology

Diagnosing breast cancer … with chips! “I opted to take the Work Placement

module … thinking it would be a nice

easy module. By the end of the year my

opinion had changed.”

The hi-tech testing kit…

“The Work Placement module is perfect for anyone who loves

hands-on experience and who wants to

apply theories learned in a lecture theatre to real-life situations.”

“This was the most academically

interesting experience I think I have had so

far and has really made me consider a career in R&D within

academia.”

Leaves & Leather

High hopes, health , and Human anatomy…

Triathlon is a multiple-stage competition involving the completion of three continuous and

sequential endurance disciplines. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most

popular form, involves swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various

distances. In the UK, the sport is organised by British Triathlon

[http://www.britishtriathlon.org/], a Federation whose members are the Home Nations’

Associations of Triathlon England, Triathlon Scotland, and Welsh Triathlon.

Having followed competitive endurance events for some time, I made the decision to

combine the three principle sports in triathlon at the beginning of 2015. I had been heavily

involved in all three disciplines, although perhaps more mountain biking than road cycling!

Commencing with the ‘Sprint’ distance triathlon – 750 metre swim, 20km bike and 5km run –

and quickly progressing to ‘Olympic’ distance, in which I now compete – 1500 metre swim,

40km bike and 10km run.

After obtaining a row of consecutive thirds, I decided to try an affiliated event in the

hope of qualifying for a major event the following year. With my trusty Bianchi in tow, my Dad

and I made the arduous trek to Ellesmere in Shropshire the day before. After a less than

adequate night’s sleep, I was fully committed from the start, and surprised myself by

qualifying, and have now found myself training hard for next year.

Now I am proud, but still a little nervous, to be a triathlete competing for Great Britain

in the 20-25 age group category at the European Championships in Austria 2017. I’m not the

first, nor will I be the last, to wax lyrical about the benefits of exercise alongside studying. As a

student at Bath Spa, and currently approaching the second year of my Biology degree, the

option to study on a campus that boasts some of the best surroundings for training was

unquestionable. By necessity, I’ve been a fond supporter of improvisation when it comes to

training. There’s no need for specialist equipment when you have natural facilities on your

doorstep. Although I commute roughly 30 miles each day, the rolling hills of Wiltshire and

Somerset are comparable, and certainly gym-replacement worthy!

Nutrition has been essential, in order to enhance my race day performance, which has

been an excellent benefit from my University studies. You really are what you eat, and quality

of movement indisputably depends on what goes in. Perhaps a 750mL bottle of beetroot juice

before the event in an attempt to increase carbohydrate utilisation wasn’t such a good idea

though... I really must dig deeper into my notes.

Alongside triathlon life, I work in a sports shop (PUSH Active Ltd:

http://www.pushactive.co.uk/.) in my home town of Devizes, equipped with gait analysis

software and specific equipment to measure human biomechanics, for both running and

cycling. Having free access to this really complements both my personal performance and aids

my studies as well; mainly as I have more of an interest towards human biology (sorry, Nigel!).

The software works by determining the degree of pronation (defined as the way the foot rolls

inward when you walk and run, part of the natural movement that helps the lower leg deal

with shock) based on a short video clip of the customer, then using angles and slow motion

technology to analyse the gait. A specific trainer type is assigned to the customer be it neutral,

guidance, or support in which the instep rises respectively in order to push you back onto the

outsides of your feet, rather than allowing them to collapse inwards. I often have to answer

customer questions about ideal running style, diet and routine so I have to apply my own

knowledge and what I have learned in training to aid others in their routines. Overall, a

wonderful way to motivate your mental state, and if you’re thinking of taking up the sport,

remember to ask me for a gait analysis☺.

Hannah Land, Year 2 Biology

“triathlon, in its most popular form,

involves swimming, cycling and running

in immediate succession over

various distances.”

Any resemblance to the lakes at Newton

Park is purely coincidental…

Leaves & Leather

Issue 21 Editor: Nigel Chaffey [email protected]

Please send contributions for the newsletter to the editor above. General enquiries can be sent to: [email protected] Note that all items in this newsletter are the responsibility of the individual contributors and the views expressed are not necessarily those of Bath Spa University

or its representatives.

In the great tradition of keeping the best until

last, we share some images from this year’s

graduation. All of our Environmental Science

and Biology graduates had reason to celebrate

on that day, but we’d like to make special

mention of our prize-winners.

The Oxford University Press

Achievement in Bioscience Prize (£150 of OUP

book vouchers) for her First Class Dissertation,

entitled “A study on EMILIN1 in an

inflammatory context: implications for clinical

research”, goes to Francesca Giorda.

Ian Todd (Subject Leader for Biology)

congratulates Francesca Giorda [BSc (First Class

Hons) Biology].

Gaining the Bath Spa University Biology

Prize for outstanding performance in her Final

Year modules is Francesca Giorda. This prize has

a £50 honorarium (i.e. a cheque!) attached to it.

The worthy winner of the corresponding

Environmental Science Prize for outstanding

performance in the Final Year (and the

accompanying £50) was Kirstie Thistlethwaite

[BSc (Hons) Environmental Science].

Unfortunately, Kirstie was unable to receive her

prize on the day.

The Chartered Institute of Waste

Management (CIWM) Prize for the Outstanding

Student in Waste Management (£50 in cash!)

was awarded to Stephanie Goldston [BSc (Hons)

Biology and Drama Studies] for her Dissertation

entitled, “The effect of regional waste

management techniques on the quantity of

We salute all of our students’

achievements, which were

celebrated on that lovely day last July!

Graduation and Prize-winners 2016

Leaves & Leather

recycling collected”. Steph was unfortunately

unable to attend Graduation to receive her prize.

Francesca is congratulated by Nigel Chaffey

(Course Leader for Environmental Science).

And, the Royal Society of Biology Top

Student Award went to Biology graduate

Francesca Giorda for her outstanding

achievement in Biology modules over the 2nd and

3rd years. Francesca’s prize is a year’s Graduate

membership of the Royal Society of Biology (and

a nice certificate). Finally, Erica Mortimer

received the award of PhD for her thesis entitled

“Ecotypic variation in Lotus corniculatus L. and

implications for grassland restoration: Interaction

of ecotypes with soil type and management, in

relation to herbivory” [Supervisor: Dave Watson;

co-supervisor: Nigel Chaffey].

Dave Watson (Head of Culture and Environment)

congratulates Erica Mortimer [BSc, PhD].

autumn 201 autumn 2012016 666 leaves & leatherleaves & …€¦ · and is ready to go....

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