Students from our Forensic science programme are celebrating a couple of recent research successes;

Ellen Mwenesongole, a PhD student in Forensic Science and Chemistry, has been awarded a prestigious National Research Foundation of South Africa free-standing study abroad doctoral scholarship. The award consists of US $12,000 funding per annum and once off travel grant of ZAR 5,000 to continue her PhD research into the analysis of wastewater for illicit drugs. The assessment of candidates for this award is based on academic merit and leadership qualities of the individual, submitted evidence of research ability and the significance and relevance of the proposed research. Ellen's supervisory team within the department consists of Dr Lata Gautam, Dr Sarah Hall, and Professor John Waterhouse.

In addition to Ellen's success, second year Forensic Science Undergraduate student Lynzi Bennett has also secured a summer studentship from the Analytical Trust Fund of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Lynzi will receive £1,400 of funding from the society to research the forensic analysis of fragrances. Lynzi's project was one of 28 across the country chosen to receive funding from the society, and will be carried out in the forensic labs on our Cambridge campus.

Speaking of the successes, Dr Lata Gautam commented "I'm really glad that the hard work our forensic science students are doing in the department is receiving wider recognition among the research community. This also shows the high profile research and supervision support that we provide in our department and the University."

"Ellen is a bright PhD student and her research is progressing very well. I am sure that her research on analysis of wastewater and illicit drugs will be an important contribution. Similarly, Lynzi's project on forensic analysis of fragrances has a unique potential to contribute in this relatively new area of study. I am really proud of these achievements and would like to congratulate both Ellen and Lynzi on their success."