‘Lightning Talks’ Showcase Diverse Research in School of Natural Sciences

Posted on: 30 October 2014

The diversity of current research in Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences was highlighted by a recent showcase evening of ‘Lightning Talks’, during which 25 researchers had just two minutes each to present their work. The strict format led to researchers using a number of interesting techniques to deliver bite-size chunks of science to the audience.

The talks by postgraduate students and principal investigators showcased the breadth of current research emanating from the departments of Botany, Geology, Geography and Zoology at Trinity. Topics ranged from Earth’s geological history to biodiversity conservation, embryonic development, animal evolution, and explorations of Mars.

Associate Professor in Botany at Trinity, and Director of Research in the School of Natural Sciences, Jane Stout, said: “The evening highlighted that the breadth and quality of research in the School is incredible – it stretches from the pure science of discovery to understanding the current challenges facing society, often with a view to addressing these issues for future sustainability on this planet. Despite a difficult funding climate, we are still doing outstanding work and all researchers in the School are to be congratulated.”

The lightning talk presentations were judged by a diverse panel comprising Professor of Quaternary Ecology and Head of School, Fraser Mitchell, Senior Scientific Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency, Donal Daly, Press Officer for Engineering, Mathematics and Science at Trinity, Thomas Deane, Education and Outreach Manager at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, Aoibheann Bird, and Diane McSweeney, from the Education team at the Science Gallery.

Speakers were judged on their content, delivery and use of visual aids. Prizes were kindly sponsored by the Trinity Foundation, the Science Gallery, the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, and the Graduate Student’s Union.

PhD researcher in Botany, Brian Murphy, won first prize for his talk ‘A hidden force that will feed the world’. Brian’s research focuses on endophytes, which are fungi that live in the roots of plants and which have great commercial potential for increasing crop yields in an eco-friendly and sustainable way.

Second place went to PhD researcher in Zoology, Sive Finlay, for her talk about Madagascar’s strange tenrecs (mammals that resemble shrews, hedgehogs and otters), while another PhD researcher in Zoology, Kevin Healy, took third place for his talk on the evolution of snake venom. Other prize winners from the evening included postgraduate students Alwynne McGeever, Hannah Hamilton, and Gary O’Sullivan, and Assistant Professor in Botany at Trinity, Mike Williams.

Videos of all the prize-winning talks can be found on the School’s YouTube channel here.