Beneath the surface: all the news from SAMS Congratulations, Dr Fraser

New project to help protect global seaweed industry

THE SCOTTISH Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is hosting early career researchers from three developing nations as part of our lead role in an international project aimed at helping sustain seaweed farming worldwide.

The scientists from Tanzania, Indonesia and the Philippines will be based at SAMS for six months, where they will work with our scientists on the GlobalSeaweedSTAR project before returning home to begin their own research.

The seaweed farming industry is a key employer in many third world countries. It is Tanzania’s third largest industry and employs 25,000 farmers, 80 per cent of whom are women. Over the four-year project, it is hoped to offer solutions for the threats posed to the industry, such as disease, pests and invasive species.

The project, funded by Research Councils UK, will improve education and networking throughout the industry globally. The research team also aims to learn more about seaweed farming practices worldwide.

University open day for prospective students

SAMS UHI will be hosting an open day for applicants and prospective students on Friday March 2. Visitors will get a chance to meet lecturers and current students and tour the campus. To find out more and to register, visit our website www.sams.ac.uk A FORMER Oban High School pupil and new SAMS staff member has successfully defended his PhD thesis at the University of Edinburgh.

It was a double celebration in January for Dr Neil Fraser, who gained his doctorate shortly after his appointment as a physical oceanographer at SAMS.

Dr Fraser, from Easdale Island, was supervised by scientists from both SAMS UHI and the University of Edinburgh during his PhD on ‘Winter time fjord-shelf exchange in Greenland and Svalbard’.

Professor Neil Fraser, centre, with examiner Dr Andy Dale, left, and supervisor Professor Mark Inall.