(English) The market for functional foods in Europe, which includes probiotics, could ultimately account for 5% of total food expenditure, which, based on current prices, would equate to US$30billion. The benefits of consumption of probiotics by infirm individuals has been documented. This collaborative research project seeks to establish whether the long-term consumption of a probiotic supplement has any significant impact on the gut bacterial make-up.
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My KESS project is looking at visitor behaviour in the National Botanical Gardens using animal tracking devices on humans. These devices not only track people’s movements throughout the garden but also where they are looking. This allows me to map out the parts of the garden that receive the highest volumes of traffic and those areas where there is less interest. The gardens want to have the best visitor experience possible and it is important for them to know what specific areas their visitors are interested in. The gardens also want value for money and to improve their exhibits, so with this project they will know if the signage that they have is effective or not being looked at, so they can change either the design or the location of signage if necessary.
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Personal Development I’ve been able to use some of the KESS skills budget to acquire and develop an in vivo element to my research; this is something that’s really important in my plans moving forward. Furthermore, this in vivo component was not something that was available at undergraduate level, and will help me with applying for a PhD.
This project has set me up for the future well, it’s helped me develop my skills, and I’ve been able to attend workshops to help develop my skills. These days I appreciate that when applying for funding and different research grants, being able to say that you’ve worked with a company partner and done public engagement work is very attractive.
Darllen mwy »Uchafbwynt Yr uchafbwynt i mi hyd yma yw’r broses o ddechrau casglu’r data. Roedd y wybodaeth a oedd yn dod i law yn gymysg iawn felly roedd yn fuddiol gallu defnyddio’r sgiliau roeddwn wedi’u dysgu o ran trefnu’r data a gweld bod rhywbeth yn digwydd. Roedd yn deimlad cyffrous iawn.
Datblygiad personol Gyda diolch i elfen sgiliau’r prosiect KESS rwyf wedi cymryd rhan mewn sesiynau hyfforddi ar reoli prosiectau ac amser, rwyf hefyd wedi mynd i weithdai ar sut mae cynllunio prosiect a’r hyn sy’n ddisgwyliedig ohonof fel gwyddonydd. Yn ogystal â hyn, rwyf wedi bod yn edrych ar dechnolegau newydd a fydd yn fy helpu gyda fy ymchwil.
Darllen mwy »(English) Personal Development Until I started the KESS project I’d not been involved with commercial science in that sense, I’d only done research for research’s sake, so I’m finding it really interesting doing research that is applicable to pure science as well as industry. It’s enabled me to have a clearer understanding of the way my research can be applied to industry.
The Future I hope that having the commercial awareness will improve my chances when it comes to looking for work as I already have experience of working with a company.
Darllen mwy »The impact for the RSPCA has been significant in that they have been able to review their rehabilitation and release strategies based on the work we have done together. This means more effective and successful care for Badgers in the future but also, the RSPCA (and other organisations) have a framework for best practise for the reintroduction of any rehabilitated animals.
As a result of the public engagement work we have undertaken, such as appearing on television and radio, the profiles of both the RSPCA and Swansea University have been raised. Improving public awareness of environmental issues is an important outcome of projects such as this, with not only societal impact, but future economic impact as it leads to improved student recruitment to the university.
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