A STUDENT who carried out ground-breaking research into small marine creatures known as zooplankton has been named as the University of the Highlands and Islands Postgraduate of the Year

During her four-year study, Laura Hobbs discovered that Arctic zooplankton react to moonlight in the dark polar winter.

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The 27-year-old from Hampshire observed that zooplankton ascend and descend in response to light levels, perhaps to hide from light-dependent predators. Her findings were published in the Current Biology journal and have been presented at UK and international conferences.

Dr Finlo Cottier, a senior lecturer in polar oceanography at the university, said: “Laura has completed 40 months of extraordinary postgraduate achievement and contribution.

"She has become a highly skilled and knowledgeable researcher in Arctic marine ecology and has made break-through discoveries in the place undergoing the most rapid change on our planet.”

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Ms Hobbs said: “Doing my PhD has been a wonderful experience and the opportunities I’ve had over the last few years have allowed me to develop my skills and networks within the UK and internationally. During my four years I have been able to travel to remote parts of the world and contribute to high-level research."