The findings of research projects undertaken by undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University’s Department of Biology will be showcased at the department’s annual Biology Symposiumon Saturday.

During the event, 18 BSc students and seven MSc students will deliver presentations on their dissertations, abstracts of which have been published in the form of a booklet.

Their research deals with themes related to faunistics and floristics of the Maltese islands, marine and terrestrial ecology, use of plants extracts, applied biotechnology, aquaculture, conservation biology, genetics, and ecological assessment and monitoring.

In their dissertations the students attempt to answer questions such as how the deadly Staphylococcus aureus bacterium (MRSA) becomes resistant to antibiotics, how widely distributed is the protected Noble Pen Shell in Maltese waters, how rich in biodiversity local freshwater pools are, and how climate change is affecting biodiversity in the Mediterranean, among many others.

The symposium is of interest to Sixth Form and University students taking up biology, professionals working in environmental consultancy, planning and management, as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations dealing with aspects of the environment.

The symposium will be held in the University’s John Borg Science Lecture Theatre. For further information e-mail michaela.stivala@ um.edu.mt or call 2340 2272.