Conference Prizes are awarded for outstanding student presentations during the NZMSS annual conference
Best Overall Student Talks
Clare Adams – Best Overall Student TalkFirst place: Clare Adams – University of Otago
“Environmental DNA for pāua (Haliotis iris) reflects common genetic variation
Runner-up: Teresa Morell – University of Otago
“The effect of plastic pollution on the reproductive success of cryptobenthic fishes”
Best Student Posters
First place: Erik Johnson – University of Otago
“Wind-related chlorophyll variability at New Zealand’s subtropical front”
Runner-up: Jessica Smith – University of Auckland
“Sound production and associated behaviour of Jasus edwardsii”
Best Student Talks - Special Topic
Coastal Marine Science and Resource Management
Sponsored by: Coastal Special Interest Group
Berengere Dejeans – University of Waikato
“Turbulence modeling of the Kaipara River: Investigation of the performance of the k-ε closure scheme in Delft3D”
Marine Conservation and Restoration
Sponsored by: Department of Conservation
Alex Alder – University of Auckland
“Efficient mussel reef restoration: possibility or pipedream?”
Marine Biosecurity Research
Sponsored by: Biosecurity NZ
Lorenzo Gabriel Ortega Ravalo – University of Victoria
“Shaping up: Using morphometric methods to differentiate lineages of the Mytilus (blue mussel) congeners”
Applied Marine Biosecurity Science
Sponsored by: Biosecurity NZ
Martin Zirngibl – Cawthron Institute
“RPA-based point-of-need detection assay for the invasive Mediterranean fanworm Sabella spallanzanii“
Mātauranga Māori
Sponsored by: MUSA Environmental
Tyla Kettle – University of Waikato
“Mātauranga Māori to understand population dynamics and pipi health, Waihi Estuary”
Marine Biotechnology
Sponsored by: AUZ/NZ Biotech Society
Vanessa Taikato – University of Waikato
“Exploring traditional practices of bivalve translocation: a multidisciplinary approach”
In honor of Dr. Roger Grace
Scientific Diving Award
Sponsored by: University of Auckland
Sara Kulins – University of Auckland
“Investigating the ecological effects of Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve”
Battle of the Labs
University of Waikato
This prize is awarded to the university that achieved the highest average score across all of their student presentations/posters
