Laura Hobbs

University of the Highlands and Islands Postgraduate student of the year

PhD thesis: ‘Diel Vertical Migration: a pan-Arctic perspective’

Laura Hobbs, from Hampshire, is a PhD student from the Oban-based Scottish Association of Marine Science UHI (SAMS) and has been named as the University of the Highlands and Islands Postgraduate Student of the Year 2016. She was selected for the award in recognition of her ground-breaking research into small marine creatures known as zooplankton. Laura was nominated for the award by her director of studies, Dr Finlo Cottier, a senior lecturer in polar oceanography at SAMS UHI.

Dr Cottier explained: “Laura has completed 40 months of extraordinary postgraduate achievement and contribution.  She has become a highly skilled and knowledgeable researcher in Arctic marine ecology and has made break-through discoveries in the place undergoing the most rapid change on our planet.  As well as her exceptional academic skills, Laura has been generous with her time and energy in helping fellow early career scientists and the public understand Polar Regions.”

Speaking about her award Laura said: “Doing my PhD at SAMS UHI has been a wonderful experience and the opportunities I’ve had over the last few years have allowed me to develop my skills and networks within the UK and internationally. During my four years at SAMS UHI, I have been able to travel to remote parts of the world and contribute to high-level research.