Part 1
Part 2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-40597299?SThisFB
Claudio with his art peace
Sponsored by Newton fund
Congratulation to Claudio by SU Vice-chancellor
Claudio with his prize
Vice- Chancellor speech
Documenting seaweed diversity and training in seaweed identification in the Falklands
Vacancy for Postdoctoral Researcher, Falklands Marine Forest Habitats
Salary: £32,825 per annum plus benefits
Location: London
Kelp forests provide spawning grounds for the Falklands squid fishery and are a major habitat for red listed cetaceans. However, they are potentially threatened by offshore oil exploration, invasive species and climate change. Falkland’s seaweeds are not well inventoried, yet this knowledge is critical for their Biodiversity Framework. The aim of the project is to provide tools to enable environmental management through habitat monitoring by filling a major gap in baseline knowledge of seaweed biodiversity, populating local information systems and providing training in species identification.
This will include at least one fieldtrip to the Falklands. There will also be opportunities for outreach initiatives. The project officer will also be responsible for the day to day management of the project.
For more information, please click here
Picture by Dr Sara Barrento
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-39923446#
UV protective algae could be used as a sustainable alternative to sunscreen, research at Swansea University has discovered.
There are hopes microalgae, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, could replace synthetic sunscreens.
The natural products, found in the sea, have a high absorbance of damaging sun rays.
Dr Carole Llewellyn, who has led the research, said algae sunscreen would be better for the environment.
“What we found is that algae have their own process of protecting themselves against the damaging ultra-violet rays,” said Dr Llewellyn, an associate professor in applied aquatic bioscience.
“We’re really interested in finding out how they do this and applying it to products we want to use.
“There’s increasing evidence that some of the synthetic sunscreens are quite harmful to the environment when they wash off in the sea.
“Many sunscreens are produced from petroleum sources and the industry is looking for something more sustainable.”
The Abstract submission and registration deadline are now extended to the 23rd of June 2017 for the 7th UK Algae Conference in Swansea
Confirmed keynote speakers:
Professor John G Day (SAMS) – cryopreservation of micro and macro, challenges and future trends
Professor Juliet Brodie (Natural History Museum) – a historical perspective of projects run by the Natural History museum including taxonomy, monitoring kelps for harvesting purposes, citizen science, macroalgae microbiome
Dr Claire Gachon (SAMS) – diseases in macroalgae
Joe MacDonald from Varicon Aqua (http://www.variconaqua.com/) – “Challenges and opportunities for PBR technology suppliers in the algae bio-economy”
Dr Robert Lovitt from Membranology Ltd. (http://membranology.com/)
Dr. John Dodd from AlgaeCytes Ltd. “- AlgaeCytes -A view on the algal product commercialization path”
Reception class learned about the three states of matter in St David’s Catholic Primary School West Cross Swansea.
Dr Claudio Fuentes Grunewald gave a scientific talk to encourage an interest in science for kids in the reception class in St David’s Catholic Primary School West Cross Swansea.
Dig out your best algae-themed photographs.
Keep the date: 9th of June – the closing date for the 2017 Hilda Canter-Lund photography competition.
A prize of £250 will be awarded to the photograph that best combines the informative, technical and aesthetic qualities embodies by Hilda Canter-Lund’s photography. It can be of a micro- or macroalga, marine or freshwater, taken by any photographic medium and the competition is open to all.
More info here
Reuters innovation news article on using algal sunscreens as an alternative to synthetic sunblock, sometimes blamed for adverse effects on human skin. Featuring Dr Carole Llewellyn and Dr Alla Silkina.
http://www.reuters.com/assets/iframe/yovideo?videoId=371513735
