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The research is now being expanded through a PhD studentship, which will represent the first in-depth study of a UK thermal hot spring focused on antimicrobial discovery.

"We're beginning to see that a lot of people just hide behind the studentship. So the student thing is not real, it's not like they need the degrees," he says.

Funders could also offer PhD studentships as part of fellowships and other awards for new PIs, instead of funding students through university training programmes which tend to benefit more established groups.

She says the most difficult period for her was between finishing her masters degree and getting accepted on to her PhD studentship.

Bell Burnell has said her winnings will be given to the Institute of Physics to boost diversity in physics through funded PhD studentships.