Newsletter No 1 - December 2019

TY students (December 2019)

In collaboration with the SSPC education and public engagement program, the department of biological sciences hosted transition year students from across Limerick for biology practical’s this week. 

We made the practical’s personal with the students growing microbes from their hands overnight and measuring each other’s hearts rates before and after ‘jumping for science’. 

We also showed them the diversity of organisms in sea shore samples and introduced them to how we determine disease in horses using molecular biology.

Thanks are due to Patricia Cusack, Tara Murphy, Ian Coughlan, Andrew McGovern and all our dedicated Technical team.

 

MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics : a healthy and tasty meal

The 2019 intake students of the course with their mentors at the background

The MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics commenced in UL in 2018. 

It is an interfaculty course with the School of Allied Health and the Department of Biological Sciences. The course has recently completed the CORU accreditation review process and is awaiting the outcome. The first cohort of students will graduate in July 2020. Students undertake subjects such as Food Science and Food Skills where they develop innovative food products and lead and participate in Healthy Food challenges with head chef of Limerick Clare Education Training Board.

Last Tuesday (26th Nov 2019), the students prepared a super meal, healthy and tasty ! Well done to all the students and their mentors!

The menu list was informative and inviting, the 0.0 EtOH wine was great!

Professor of Food Science (closing date 22 Nov 2019)

The University of Limerick (UL) with over 15,000 students and 1,400 staff is an energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education, research and scholarship. The dynamic, entrepreneurial and pioneering values which drive UL’s mission and strategy ensures that we capitalise on local, national and international engagement and connectivity. We are renowned for providing an outstanding student experience and employability and conducting leading edge research. Our commitment is to make a difference by shaping the future through educating and empowering our undergraduate and postgraduate students. UL is situated on a superb riverside campus of over 130 hectares with the River Shannon as a unifying focal point. Outstanding recreational, cultural and sporting facilities further enhance this exceptional learning and research environment. Applications are invited for the following position: Faculty of Science + Engineering Department of Biological Sciences Professor of Food Science - Multiannual Salary Scale: €117,904 - €151,476 p.a. Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to: Dr Ioannis Zabetakis Head Department of Biological Sciences University of Limerick Email: Ioannis.Zabetakis@ul.ie The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 22nd November 2019. Further information for applicants and application material is available online.   Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date. Please email erecruitment@ul.ie if you experience any difficulties Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates. The University of Limerick holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. The University is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to selection on merit welcoming applicants from all sections of the community. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working. “The University of Limerick has implemented a “Smoke and Vape Free Campus Policy”. Smoking and vaping in all forms is prohibited.”

Róisín Mc Grath: winner of All Ireland Young Handler Final

Third year BSc Equine Science student, Róisín Mc Grath, has won the All Ireland Young Handler Final at the National Ploughing Championships in Carlow.  Róisín qualified at Adamstown Show in July, one of five qualifiers.  Fifteen competitors in her age category, senior 18 to 30 years old, qualified for the event with ten heading to Fenagh to participate in the final.  

There is a total prize pool of €25000 for the Championship series with Róisín claiming €1700, a trophy, plus a week’s training in a top yard.  Róisín came third in last year’s final winning €1000 which she immediately reinvested, buying a young Connemara to produce with the intent to sell.  This year, Róisín aimed to improve her game choosing a Connemara she bought for her mother ‘Mahanagh Heather’ as her partner.   

With a pre prepared marketingvideo, a well polished routine using the triangle, impeccable turnout, a sales pitch and correctly answering some on the spot theory questions, they took the spoils.

The Young Handlers Championship series is in its second year.  
This initiative is sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland with a view to encourage more young people into a long term involvement with the sport horse breeding industry.