Published:
A Heriot-Watt scientific image has been shortlisted in the 2015 Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM) image competition.
‘Not a long time ago, not in a galaxy and not far, far away....’ by Dr Tony Gutierrez, Associate Professor in the School of Life Sciences, shows an emulsion of crude oil droplets from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill which have been dispersed in seawater due to the action of biopolymers produced by oil-degrading bacteria.
The competition allows us to share the hidden, and somewhat enigmatic, beauty of the microbial world.
SfAM is the oldest microbiological society in the UK. The 2015 awards attracted record-breaking entries for the Society, with 1012 images submitted from 61 countries, confirming its position as the UK’s largest microbiological photography competition. The awards’ international judging panel is comprised of esteemed scientists and the competition offers international recognition not only to its winner, but also those on its shortlist. Dr Gutierrez’s image is one of 12 finalist images that will feature on the 2016 SfAM desk calendar to be distributed worldwide.
Dr Gutierrez said, “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award.
“SfAM supports the science of microbiology in its application to the environment, human and animal health, agriculture, and industry. This is important work, and the image competition allows us to share the hidden, and somewhat enigmatic, beauty of the microbial world.”