UHI graduate

UHI Student of the year award. Programme leader Dr John Howe said of the 19 honours students: ‘They have demonstrated exemplary conduct, astonishing maturity, dedication and above all, perhaps most importantly, a strong bond of friendship.’

Dr Shona Magill, Head of Student Services, said the group had made a huge contribution to student activity at SAMS UHI.

Addressing the graduates during his keynote speech, Professor Stuart Monro, scientific director of the Scottish Consortium for Rural Research, said: ‘Go out and use the knowledge and understanding you have gained at SAMS to steward this wonderful world.’

Other prizewinners were: Johanna Fehling Memorial Prize (Best published paper by a PhD student) – Paul Dees; Prize for best EMMS Masters project conducted at SAMS – Kirsten Dinwoodie; Best dissertation for the ACES cohort 2016-18 – Nikko Cabillon; SAMS Council Award for Academic Excellence – Ivan Cautain; SAMS Award for Overall Achievement – Hanna Ewen; Tim Boyd Prize for Oceanography – James Coogan.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS UHI), based at Dunstaffnage, near Oban, is Scotland’s largest and oldest independent marine science organisation.

It is an academic partner within the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Senior academic staff and special guests from this year’s graduation. SAMS UHI’s Dr David Hughes had the honour of carrying the ceremonial mace.

Winner of the SAMS Overall Achievement Award went to Hanna Ewen, pictured with Prof Crichton Lang, University of the Highlands and Islands deputy principal.

Eleanor Wood, above, with director of studies Dr Michele Stanley of SAMS UHI, the University of the Highlands and Islands’ dean of research Michael Rayner, and vice-principal for research Professor Neil Simco, and pictured right in the lab environment.

Paul Dees won the Johanna Fehling Memorial Prize for the best published paper by a PhD student.