School of Biological Sciences

An academic from Queen's University School of Biological Sciences is one of only five academics from across the UK who were asked to deliver an Award Lecture at the 2013 British Science Festival.

Dr Jonathan Houghton, joins the ranks of previous award lecturers including particle physicist and TV presenter Professor Brian Cox, Professor Richard Wiseman, author of The Luck Factor, and space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Dr Houghton presented his lecture on the 10th September.

Each year, five academics from across the UK are selected to take part in the Award Lecture series, with each lecture encompassing a different area of science.

Dr Houghton delivered the Lyell Award Lecture, which focused on the environmental sciences.  Entitled Blue seas research: predators and prey in an ever-changing system, his lecture considered the growing pressures faced by marine systems today.  Complex issues including overfishing, pollution and climate change, seamlessly interweave to bring about wholesale shifts in marine communities over regional and global scales.  The challenge facing marine scientists is not only to identify when such changes have occurred, but to do so before it is too late.  More...

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Professor Ian Montgomery speaking at the conference

Over 600 world-leading wildlife experts flock to Queen's

Ireland's native small mammals will die out in at least 80 per cent of their available habitat unless Governments north and south of the border act to address the problem of invasive alien species, according to a leading academic at Queen's University Belfast.

The warning comes from Ian Montgomery, Professor of Animal Ecology in Queen's School of Biological Sciences as 600 of the world's leading wildlife experts flock to Belfast this week for the 11th International Mammalogical Congress (IMC11) which is being held at the University.  IMC is held every four years and brings together wildlife researchers and leading experts from all over the world.

Currently 25 per cent of all mammals worldwide are under threat of extinction.  Ireland has few indigenous mammal species and these are under threat from alien invasive species such as Sika deer, brown hare, mink, grey squirrel, bank vole, greater white toothed shrew.  Alien mammals are also now appearing in Ireland much more frequently than in the past.  Speaking ahead of the conference, Professor Montgomery, who is also Chair of the Local Organising Committee, said: "We are delighted and honoured to welcome so many eminent scientists and leading experts to Queen's.  Research tells us that without conservation measures many more mammals would be at risk of extinction as the situation would be 20 per cent worse".

"It is critical that we really understand the basic biology of mammals as well as the environmental processes at work.  Often it is a combination of factors, over-exploitation, habitat loss, climate change or disease that undermines conservation efforts.  IMC11 represents a great opportunity to exchange experiences and the latest in ground-breaking research across the world."

Topics being discussed throughout the six day conference include reintroducing rare mammals like the wolf and beaver, and threats to people from big cats including tigers.  Researchers will also be revealing the latest findings into the role of mammals in diseases that affect people as well as livestock and the impact of land management on mammal populations.

The importance of events like IMC11 was highlighted by veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough last month when he received an honorary degree from Queen's for exceptional services to science and broadcasting.  Speaking at the time he said: "For 500 years universities have been the guardians of the truth, the discovery of the truth and the proclaiming of the truth and that's never been more so than today."  The renowned naturalist praised students from Queen's School of Biological Sciences and told them that they would be at the forefront of preserving and restoring the planet.

The conference at Queen's is the first time the congress has been held in Europe since 1989 when it was held in Rome.  For further information visit the IMC11 website.

For media inquiries contact Claire O'Callaghan, Queen's Communications Office, on 028 9097 3087 or c.ocallaghan@qub.ac.uk

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A one year, fully funded MPhil by Research is available within the Institute for Global Food Security.

The project is to develop a rapid biosensor based test capable of detecting a range of antibiotic residues in milk.  The project will be based in the world famous ASSET Technology Centre, David Keir Building and will be supervised by Professor Chris Elliott and Dr Katrina Campbell.

The project is due to commence October 2014.

Full training in the development of sensor based assays will be given.

Applicants must have at least a 2.1 in a Biological Science or related degree.

The Scholarship includes full fees (EU student) and a £1000 per month, tax free stipend.

For further information please contact Prof Elliott (chris.elliott@qub.ac.uk).

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Sir David Attenborough with Queen's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Gregson

On 1st July 2013, Vice-Chancellor Prof Sir Peter Gregson and Head of School, Prof Christine Maggs conferred nearly 200 awards from the School of Biological Sciences including Agriculture, including 10 PhDs, 11 MScs, 1 MPhil, 151 BScs, 11 Foundation Degrees, 11 PG Dips and 3 PD Certs.  In addition, honorary graduate, Sir David Attenborough, received a DSc for exceptional services to science and broadcasting.

Watch Sir David Attenborough receive his honorary degree.

The School of Biological Sciences also presented several awards to students of exceptional merit, which included Erwan Atcheson (Tim Bramley Prize for highest scoring final year Biochemist, Best overall performance at stage 3 in the School of Biological Sciences and Prize for best research project in the School), David Costley (Shirodaria Prize in Virology, awarded for the top mark in level three Virology), Aimee-Louise Leslie (Alan Kirke Memorial Prize, for best performance in Stage 3 Agricultural Technology), Amy Rolloos (Safefood Prize for best essay in Food Quality and Safety), Stephanie Clarke (Yakult Prize, for highest research project mark in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition), Alison Foster (Yakult Prize, for highest final grade in Stage 3 Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition), Aisling McFall (Biochemical Society Prize for highest scoring second year Biochemist) and Hannah Margaret McErlane (Stage 1, OUP Achievement in Biosciences Prize) for highest mark in stage 1 Biochemistry).

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The School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s has been awarded the prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its outstanding progress in promoting gender equality and addressing the unequal representation of women in science.  It is the first School of Biological Sciences in the UK to achieve this prestigious award, with Queen’s becoming one of only three UK universities to hold a Gold departmental award.

The Athena SWAN Charter was introduced in 2005 to advance the representation of women in science, engineering and technology and to address gender inequalities and improve career progression for female academics.  The Athena SWAN awards recognise and celebrate good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women.   More...

Athena SWAN awards announced (November 2012 submissions)

   

Athena SWAN Gold department award application   

Athena SWAN Award submission feedback   

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Tesco Chief Executive, Philip Clarke officially launched Queen’s new Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) which will improve global food safety through the establishment of an international ‘food-fortress’ in Belfast.

An investment of over £33m from Queen’s will see the Institute play a key role in national and global efforts to provide the world’s growing population with a sustainable, safe and secure supply of high quality food. [More... ]

Tesco CEO launches the new Institute - video

Please visit the Institute for Global Food Security web site.

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