MBA Postgraduate Conference 2024

Shathuki Perera

University of Oxford

I was deeply honoured to be awarded the Student Bursary, allowing me to participate in the MBA Postgraduate Conference 2024 held in Plymouth. As I approach the end of my integrated master’s program, I find myself at a crucial point in my career, where I decide whether to pursue a PhD or embark on a career outside of academia. Attending this conference, and talking to those who has surpassed this stage, provided me with much needed mentorship and advice which will be pivotal in making my decision. The connections I made with other students in this field hold promise for future collaboration and opportunities.



Plymouth, renowned as the epicentre of marine biology in the UK, boasts influential institutions like the MBA, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the University of Plymouth. At the conference, I had the privilege of immersing myself in a diverse set of marine topics from academics and students conducting cutting edge research from these institutions. These covered research on marine organisms such as plankton, kelp, and seagrass, contrasting from my own work on elasmobranchs. Moreover, the conference provided a significant networking platform, enabling me to gain insights into the various opportunities in Plymouth. I also had the chance to present my master’s research looking at the consumption patterns of elasmobranchs in Sri Lanka and contribute to a panel discussion on applied marine science. My talk was received very well, and it led to interesting thoughts and additions from those attending, which I hope to integrate into my thesis. Additionally, a dinner at the National Aquarium next to the shark tank was a definite highlight!