St Andrews scientist awarded Polar Medal

A St Andrews scientist has followed in the footsteps of giants of exploration by being awarded the Polar Medal.

Professor Ian Boyd, a former director of St Andrews University’s sea mammal research unit, received the accolade in recognition of his research on the ecology of seals around South Georgia.

The Polar Medal is given by the Queen to acknowledge valued service given in the Polar regions. Former recipients include Captain Robert Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Prof Boyd, pictured, who is now chief scientific adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, worked with the British Antarctic Survey from 1987 to 2001, spending 12 summer seasons in Antarctica.

He studied the structure and dynamics of the Southern Ocean from the perspective of top predators.

The hi-tech equivalent of contemporary ‘fit-bits’ were implanted safely under the skin of seals, penguins and albatrosses to find out more about their metabolism and energy use.

“I feel humbled to be joining the ranks of many of the people I respect most, from the greats of the age of polar exploration to former colleagues,” said Prof Boyd.

“Of course, the honour of receiving a Polar Medal is small compared with the honour of having spent a significant proportion of my life in the most fascinating and unspoiled region of the planet.

“My surprise at receiving the medal was mainly because I never thought I had done enough to deserve it, although my peers obviously think differently.”