Student life in Bangor

David’s African Adventure marks university highlight

David Bavin from Chichester has graduated with the Sir Alfred Lewis Prize, awarded to the best final year student who has completed a degree course at Bangor University’s School of Biological Sciences.

Describing graduating after three years’ hard work as ‘absolutely fantastic,’ David was thrilled to learn that he was a prize winner. He said, “Winning the Sir Alfred Lewis Prize was the icing on the cake for me, and I feel privileged to have achieved this over a number of other highly capable students.”

David travelled the world for over the year before coming to Bangor to study a BSc in Zoology/Marine Zoology; visiting Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, China, Myanmar and India. A keen scuba diver, he chose his degree course because of its emphasis on marine study.

David said, “The course was fantastic. It blended the study of animal physiology and behaviour with evolutionary theory and issues such as climate change. My course specifically had an emphasis on marine zoology, and included detailed focus on aspects of fish biology and marine ecosystems.

“During the course, I was lucky enough to be chosen as part of a team that travelled to Malawi with Professor George F Turner, to survey a small un-chartered lake and its unique cichlid (small freshwater fish) species. The trip was funded by the Zoological Society London, to whom we presented our results on return. The field work was adventurous and challenging and the data we obtained contributed directly to our third year dissertation projects

“The trip to Malawi was definitely one of the highlights of my life, let alone my university experience.”

David also volunteered as a Divemaster for two seasons with Operation Wallacea, working in Sulawesi, Indonesia during the summer months. Although not a paid position, it gave him valuable first had experience working on a research base, and with scientists in the field.

Following his graduation from Bangor, David will now be undertaking an MSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at Edinburgh Napier University.