Twenty-year-old Biomedical Sciences student Danielle Gunn was awarded the Undergraduate Microbiology Prize by the Microbiology Society, a professional body for microbiologists in academia and research worldwide.

As well as being awarded membership to the society, Danielle was also awarded £200 in recognition for her excellent microbiology coursework, which was a portfolio of written reports based on laboratory work.

Danielle, who is originally from Rugby, Warwickshire, said: “Being presented with such a prestigious external award has given me a new confidence and I feel that my scientific knowledge has been recognised. I will appreciate all the prize has to offer, especially the Microbiology Society membership which will help me throughout my final year at university.”

Each year the Microbiology Society awards the prize to an undergraduate student from each qualifying institution who performs best in microbiology in the second year of a Bachelor’s degree.

Danielle’s tutor, Senior Lecturer in Immunology Dr Anna Furmanski, said: “We are delighted for Danielle. This prestigious prize reflects her academic ability, hard work and commitment to her studies. The School of Life Sciences is very proud of her achievement. In the sciences, undergraduate prizes are not easy to come by, so they are excellent for a student’s CV.

“Membership of a learned society is one of the first markers of identifying as a professional scientist. Danielle will receive literature and invites to events – she will be able to keep up with professional activities in the microbiology field, which I hope will be of great interest to her and will enhance her studies this year.”

*Danielle is pictured with Dr Furmanski and Senior Lecturer in Microbiology Dr Arthur Hosie