Animal Section :

Winner: Joana Carmo (University of Aveiro)

Joana Maria Sousa Carmo is currently a PhD student at the University of Aveiro (Doctoral Program in Biology and Ecology of Global Change). She completed her Master's Degree in Eco-Toxicology and Risk Analysis in 2022 and her Degree in Biology and Geology in 2020 both from the University of Aveiro.

Joana was part of the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, CESAM (from March 2023 to December 2023) working on the FCT SLEEP project ''Shedding light on freshwater ecosystems under environmental change and pollution'' which aims to study the effects of artificial light at night on aquatic invertebrates and investigates the role of the hormone melatonin. Joana has several international communications (conference poster and oral presentation) at the conference of the Iberian Society of Ecology (SIBECOL) and XXI Conference of the Iberian Association of Limnology (AIL), at the SETAC Europe 33rd Annual Meeting and and at the Society for experimental Biology Centenary Conference.

Throughout her work in the laboratory, Joana acquired experience in the maintenance of marine invertebrate cultures (Paracentrotus lividus) and maintenance of aquatic invertebrate cultures (Chironomus riparius, Girardia tigrina, Lumbriculus variegatus and Daphnia magna). She has experience with ecotoxicological tests (Determination of thermal tolerance after exposure to artificial light at night and exogenous melatonin in aquatic invertebrates and study the combined effects of light pollution with temperature, salinity, and pesticides on the life cycle of Chironomus riparius).

In addition, she has experience in assessing biochemical responses such as oxidative stress responses and oxidative damage, neurotoxicity, available energy and energy production. Her main research interest is related to freshwater invertebrates and study multiple stressors.

Plant Section :

Winner: Jake Hill (University of Nottingham)

Jake is  a BBSRC DTP funded PhD student at the Wheat Research Centre working on exploring the traits of the wheat wild relative Aegilops umbellulata.
His work revolves around wheat and wheat wild relative genetics alongside the use of phenotypic screening platforms to better understand the role that Ae. umbellulata might play in improving our global wheat crops.

This means you can usually find him in our glasshouses crossing if he is not away using a new phenotyping platform.

Before joining the WRC, he completed an MSci in plant science with a year in computer science here at the University of Nottingham.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Submit an abstract online for a relevant session at the SEB Conference on or before 06   March 2026   and tick the box which states "I would like to be considered for Irene Manton poster prize".
2. A PDF version of your final poster must be submitted via our online portal, by 21 May 2026. Posters will be judged during the poster sessions at the SEB Conference.
3. In the circumstance where your oral abstract submission for the SEB Conference has been accepted for poster presentation, you will still have the opportunity to apply for the Irene Manton poster prize and will need to provide a PDF of the final poster to enter the competition.

IRENE MANTON AWARD FAQS

Irene manton deadlines 

A PDF version of your final poster must be submitted by 21 May 2026.

Where do I submit my Irene Manton Poster

Your PDF Poster needs to be submitted via our online portal.

When will the Irene Manton Posters be judged

 Posters will be judged during the poster sessions on 7th and 8th July at the SEB Conference.

When will the Irene Manton winners be announced 

The winners of the award will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 9th July 2026.

What Happens Next 

Posters will be judged during the poster sessions  at the SEB Conference.

The winners of the award will be announced during the Awards Dinner .