Exeter Geology students awarded Science Festival prizes

The annual event brings together postgraduate students from across the country, who are funded by the BUFI PhD funding scheme. Students displayed posters of their research to date, and prizes were awarded for the best posters and presentations. The day also included a keynote address from Graham Brown of Geosciences and Exploration, Anglo-American plc.

Dan Parvaz won the first prize of £200 for his poster on exploring for more environmentally friendly copper deposits, using examples on Cyprus. Sam Broom-Fendley’s poster was also highly commended, featuring his work on REE deposits in Malawi. Both students are based at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM).

The BUFI Science Festival is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their research to a broad audience, exchange research ideas and network. Through the BUFI scheme, the British Geological Survey is directly funding university collaboration and encouraging science at PhD level.

Professor Frances Wall, Head of CSM, said: “Congratulations to Dan and to Sam. There were many excellent posters at the festival but Dan’s beautiful 3D image of the weathered rock, together with his clear and enthusiastic explanations, were probably his key to success.”

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is part of the Natural Environment Research Council. As a public sector organisation the BGS is responsible for advising the UK government on all aspects of geoscience as well as providing impartial geological advice to industry, academia and the public. It also undertakes an extensive programme of overseas research, including major institutional strengthening programmes in the developing world.