AFBI scientist provides guest lecture at Queen's University

Dr Adam Mellor of AFBI recently presented a guest lecture on “Hazardous Marine Life” to 3rd year Queen's University Belfast (QUB) medical students undertaking a module on Diving Medicine. The module delivers theoretical and practical experience of the medical issues associated with diving, part of which is an understanding of potential risks from marine organisms.

Adam’s experience of working in the marine environment, both above and below the water, in tropical and temperate zones helped in bringing together the course content. The session on marine life included a discussion on organisms from around the world that pose a risk to divers and people working in the marine environment.

Key areas such as the risks from larger marine animals, venomous and poisonous animals, infections, and zoonotic diseases were presented, with direct lines drawn to areas of AFBI’s expertise such as AFBI's toxic algae monitoring programme and veterinary disease surveillance and investigation work.

The session concluded with a discussion on current best practices for managing injuries and illnesses that could result from contact with marine life. This interesting two-way exchange of information of will be of considerable value for both QUB students and AFBI staff working in the marine environment. 

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