The scientist whose knowledge of crabs could tell us more about the effects of space travel on astronauts will next week showcase his science at a prestigious event.
Dr Peter Fraser is leading a University of Aberdeen team who have been chosen to take part at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition in London – which brings the best of the UK's science and technology research under the one roof.
The marine biologist led the world with his discovery that crabs have balancing systems very like those of humans.
Part of his research, which has earned him accolades, involved sending crabs on a weightless flight, simulating space travel, courtesy of the European Space Agency (ESA).
The crabs were accompanied by a team of students which included Roberto Araujo and Maria Carneiro who are also attending the London exhibition.
Their non-invasive monitoring of the crustaceans provided data for ESA and NASA which could help protect astronauts of the future from potentially dangerous side effects of low gravity in space travel.
More recently Dr Fraser has shown in work featured in Nature that the balancing system also carries information about the depth of water above crabs and sharks.
Some of the shark research he supervises has already made headlines around the world.
Marine biology student Lauren Smith attracted plenty of attention for her work using a hypobaric chamber to test the pressure sensing abilities of sharks.
Her studies came in the wake of an earlier shark habitat study in Florida - which coincided with the arrival of Hurricane Gabrielle in 2001 - when juvenile black tip sharks were seen moving into deeper water ahead of the approaching storm.
Depending on the outcome of Lauren's work, it could potentially lead to sharks being studied for clues of approaching severe weather fronts.
Dr Fraser, Senior Lecturer at the University's Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, is delighted to be involved in the exhibition which runs from Monday to Thursday.
He said: "It's a great opportunity to represent the University of Aberdeen and tell the public about the pioneering research we are carrying out here. Apart from advancing our understanding of how marine animals make use of their three dimensional world, the mechanism underlying this work reveals the importance of atomic scale movements in biological systems."
Lauren added: "The Royal Society exhibition is an excellent event which allows groundbreaking science to be accessible to all. Anyone can come along and learn more about our work, interactive exhibitions such as this will hopefully result in both adults and school children becoming inspired and enthused about science and leave them wanting more!"
Dr Fraser's exhibition is called How do sharks and crabs sense depth? Crabs in space and out of their depth.
The Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition takes place from Monday June 30 to Thursday 3 July. For more information see: http://www.summerscience.org.uk/