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An ‘exceptional’ undergraduate student who has been involved in five research projects and deputised on an oceanographic cruise to the North Atlantic while in only her second year of study, has been named ��ҹѰ�� student of the year.

Nele Thomsen, who graduated today [Friday] along with 44 other students from ��ҹѰ��, a partner of UHI, has undertaken three summer internships during her BSc Marine Science and has travelled to Svalbard and Tromsø in Norway.

In her second year of study she joined a research ship to gain experience but was unexpectedly promoted to replace a senior chemist who tested positive for Covid-19 the day before the ship sailed. Research undertaken by the German student, in addition to her undergraduate degree, has contributed to five scientific studies, which are now in the process of being written as academic papers.

Next month she begins a PhD at ��ҹѰ�� exploring how copepods are affected by environmental stresses and pollution.

Speaking after she picked up the award at Oban’s Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Nele said: “I was in Germany when I got a message inviting me to have a video call with [head of student services] Shona Magill. I thought something bad had happened – perhaps my PhD had fallen through – so I was more relieved than anything when I got the news I’d been chosen as student of the year!”

Asked what motivated her to devote her time off to further study, the 24 year old replied: “I guess I have issues sitting still! I have goals for the future and I wanted to get as much experience and knowledge as I could and this is the time to do it.”

��ҹѰ�� scientist Dr Helena Reinardy, who will become Nele’s PhD supervisor, having worked with her on projects throughout her degree course, said: “Nele is an exceptional student and has achieved outstanding level of academic work and research throughout her time at ��ҹѰ��.

“As early as the end of her second year, she independently approached me to request research experience in molecular biology, and she went on to undertake her first summer internship with me in 2022. Within two months she mastered a number of complex methods, including  RNA extraction; Masters students typically take around six months to gain even a level of competence in these methods.

“She has a very bright future in marine science.”

Nele was one of seven award winners at the graduation ceremony, including fellow graduates Janika Sander, who won the Tim Boyd Prize for Oceanography, Jamie Nathaniel, who was presented with the Overall Achievement Award, and Niamh Docherty, who gained the Academic Excellence Award.

Nicole Allison won the Johanna Fehling Memorial Prize for the best PhD student research paper; Kavya Shibu won the ACES-STAR Dissertation Prize and Adam Francis was awarded the Graham Shimmield Prize for Biogeochemistry.

Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor, was the presiding officer and Prof, Sheila Heymans, Executive Director of the European Marine Board, gave the keynote address in which she encouraged the students to: “Dream big, work hard, be kind and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”

��ҹѰ�� Director Prof. Nick Owens used the Director’s address to congratulate all the graduates and announced that ��ҹѰ�� would begin plans to have ‘The Ocean’ on the Board of Trustees.

Explaining the move would be a world first, he added: “We must have much more thoughtful governance of ��ҹѰ�� by embedding the interests of the ocean on the board.”

If you're interested in studying at ��ҹѰ��, visit: Study — The Scottish Association for Marine Science (sams.ac.uk)