DAERA showcases student research

Postgraduate students, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), presented their scientific research at a Postgraduate Research Seminar, an event which attracted over 100 delegates from the fields of industry, education, environment, research and Government.

The researchers addressed a wide range of issues including ash dieback, pleurisy in pigs, avian viruses, new vaccine technologies, sow nutrition, hedgerow management, nutritional aspects of cows’ milk and management strategies for dairy cows in the transition period.

Guest speaker Professor Elaine Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) outlined her distinguished career and achievements, both at home and on the international stage. The valuable insight and research opportunities highlighted in Elaine’s address provided inspiration to the PhD students as they realised that the door is open to them and the world really is their oyster.

Dr Alistair Carson, Head of DAERA’s Science, Evidence and Innovation Policy Division chaired the seminar, which was held at Greenmount campus.  Alistair congratulated the students on their research and commented: “This year DAERA is funding a total of 34 PhD students, the highest number of studentships we have supported in many years. This has come about as a response to the Going for Growth strategy launched in 2013 and in recognition of the importance of targeted investment in R&D, through our Postgraduate scheme and commissioned research from AFBI and elsewhere. DAERA recognises the advantages of a collaborative approach to research and development through co-funding with strategic partners, sharing knowledge and ideas and we are working towards that goal.”

Further details of DAERA’s postgraduate research including research presented at the seminar can be found on the DAERA website.

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