The outstanding work of a microbiology student at the University of Aberdeen has been recognised with the award of a top scientific accolade.
Fourth year student Maria Sevdali, who is from Athens , in Greece , has won the coveted Society for General Microbiology (SGM) Undergraduate Prize.
Maria, who is 21 - years-old, will be presented with her award, cheque for £100 plus certificate and membership of the Society for General Microbiology for one year at a special presentation today (Monday, October 25), at the University of Aberdeen's Institute of Medical Sciences.
The SGM Undergraduate Prize is presented annually to an undergraduate microbiology student who must in the penultimate year of their degree course.
Ian Booth, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen 's Institute of Medical Sciences , said Maria's exceptional coursework had secured her place as this year's worthy SGM winner.
He said: “The SGM stipulates that we can nominate one student each year. The criteria that students must meet involve a combination of good work in the laboratory and classroom, as well as a first-rate performance in exams.
“Maria is a dedicated student and, although she is very modest about her achievement, it is a very significant award and she has done very well to win.”
Maria is one of a pool of national students to win the award from their respective academic institutions.
Maggie Smith, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen 's Institute of Medical Sciences , said: “Maria is bright and enthusiastic about her studies and she is very excited about winning this prize. I hope that Maria's achievement will encourage other students and highlight the importance of Microbiology as a subject.”
The presentation today has been timed to coincide with a visit by distinguished microbiologist Professor Jeff Errington, who will travel to Aberdeen from the University of Oxford to deliver a seminar on How bacteria get their shape – a field to which he has made major contributions by his discovery and analysis of a cytoskeleton.
* The SGM is the largest microbiology society in Europe and has over 5,500 members worldwide. It provides a common meeting ground for scientists working in research and in fields with applications in microbiology including medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceuticals, industry, agriculture, food, education and the environment.