UT Students Received 36 Financial Awards and 21 Thank-You Notes at the Studies Competition

Students from the University of Tartu were the most successful participants at the 2012 national competition of research made by students, receiving 36 financial awards and 21 award notes. In addition to highly renowned field-specific awards, one of the grand awards went to Tuuli Sepp, a researcher of animal ecology at the UT, for her doctoral study about the greenfinch (Carduelis chloris).

The awards were given in four fields: bio- and environmental sciences, social sciences and culture, health studies, natural sciences and technology. 92 studies and 20 tutors in total were awarded with 36 financial awards and 21 award notes by the Minister of Education and Science. For students of UT, the numbers were respectively 36 and 21. “It is great to see there are so many excellent P.G.s and students in our science university, who, despite heavy competition, were able to achieve such success“, said Marco Kirm, Vice Rector for Research, praise of the students.

There were two grand prizes given, with nominees chosen from all fields and levels, and worth 3600 euros each. One of these awards went to Tuuli Sepp, a researcher of animal ecology at UT, for her doctoral study “Hematological Health Indicators of Greenfinches: The Reasons for Individual Variety and Answers for Manipulating the Immune System”. According to the Estonian Research Council, Sepp’s study was of high level in discussing the mechanisms of an organism’s immune response and offering original solutions to problems. Tuuli Sepp’s tutor, Professor of the Physiological Ecology of Animals Peeter Hõrak, also received an award note for instructing a grand prize study in the fields of bio- and environmental sciences.