Lewis Drysdale, UHI student of the year

SAMS UHI student of the year 2011 and overall winner of the University of the Highlands and Islands student of the year

A former naturalist guide on marine life survey vessels, now studying full time to become a marine scientist, Lewis devotes much of his time to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as a member of the Oban crew.

Recognised with the award for his academic accomplishments and his contribution to the student community, he achieved consistently high grades in his first two years of the BSc (Hons) Marine Science degree, while representing fellow students on the Education Quality Assurance Committee (EQAC).

Lewis pursued opportunities to take part in the college’s research activities, including a Scottish west coast survey cruise aboard the UK research vessel RSS James Cook, and has just returned from the Arctic where he attended the International Polar Year field school.

He said, “The degree course has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to what the future brings.”

Lewis was chosen as the overall winner for the UHI student of the year 2011.