Rising Star Award

Alumni Awards 2025


H Make sure you vote for your favourite by 3 March 2025
 
This award recognises a recent graduate who has achieved something extraordinary within just five years of leaving Plymouth.
It celebrates our talented and creative alumni who aren’t afraid to take risks and follow their passions.
 

Meet our Rising Star Award finalists

Oscar McNaughton

BA 3D Design and MA Design graduate
Supporting statement
After graduating from a BA in 3D Design, and MA in Design, Oscar continued his journey in Additive Manufacturing, (3D Printing) at CBM Wales, a branch of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Combining technical skills gained at Plymouth with a growing passion for 3D printing, his work at CBM laid the groundwork for an incredible journey into competitive skills.
Oscar’s work led to his nomination for the WorldSkills UK Competitions. Training rigorously in his spare time, he got through a qualifier and regional competition, and was selected for the national final where following a 2-day competition he earned a silver medal.
His success opened the opportunity for further training and trials, which culminated in a coveted spot on the WorldSkills UK International team, where he represented the UK in the field of additive manufacture at the 2024 WorldSkills competition in Lyon.
Competing over four intense days, Oscar showcased his expertise alongside 1,500 participants from 65 countries across 62 skill disciplines in what is often called ‘The Skills Olympics’. His efforts contributed to Team UK’s impressive 10th-place global ranking. Months of preparation, resilience, and commitment defined his journey, which brought prestige to both his career and the UK’s standing in technical skills.
Oscar McNaughton Alumni Awards Rising Star Award finalist
Post-competition, Oscar is channelling his experience into establishing a training program at UWTSD, by mentoring and creating opportunities for others. He inspires the next generation of Additive Manufacturing professionals.
Oscar aims to foster global knowledge sharing across technical skills. His goal is to contribute to a network of young professionals learning to innovate, and push the boundaries of their fields, across a thriving global skills community.
 

Nikolaos Vlastoudakis

MSc Applied Strategy and International Security graduate (Hellenic National Defence College)
Supporting statement
I am Colonel Nikolaos Vlastoudakis serving in the Hellenic Special Forces. I am honoured to submit my nomination for the Alumni Rising Star Award in recognition of my dedication to advancing strategic security, my academic excellence, and my contributions to international defence initiatives.
I graduated with distinction in 2022 from the Hellenic National Defence College. In 2023, I earned a masters degree and Partnerships Award in applied Strategy and International Security, graduating with distinction from the University of Plymouth’s partnership program with the Hellenic National Defence College.
Following successful examination, I was selected in June 2023 to attend the Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies (MASS) program at the National Defence University’s College of International and Security Affairs (CISA) in Washington, D.C. In June 2024, I graduated with honours, receiving the prestigious Honors Portfolio Award in recognition of superior writing, argumentation, and contributions to the field of security studies.
In April 2024, I represented CISA with distinction at the 3rd Annual Strategy Competition hosted by the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. My contributions were instrumental in developing NATO’s comprehensive policy and strategy to counter and contain Russia's aggression in Ukraine, aimed at defending Ukraine's sovereignty.
Nikolaos Vlastoudakis Alumni Awards Rising Star Award finalist
Additionally, I was handpicked as a CISA representative for the Irregular Warfare Forum, held in December 2023. During the forum, I actively participated in the seminar breakout sessions titled "Mind the Gaps: Preparing for the Future of Irregular Warfare," contributing strategic insights to discussions on policy, doctrine, training, and education.
 

Ankitha Manohar

MSc Marine Conservation graduate
Supporting statement
After completing an MSc in Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth, the nominee worked with Reef Watch, an NGO in India, monitoring and studying turtle nesting sites. They subsequently contributed to Ma Oceans (India), the Marine Conservation Institute (USA), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (India), where they conducted research to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
In 2022, they joined Azim Premji University, Bangalore, as a Research Associate, leading a project titled "The Institutional and Collective Management of Gazani: Study of the Aghanashini Estuarine Ecosystem". Their work included spatial mapping, reviewing Indian policies and regulations, and conducting qualitative analysis. They successfully secured funding for this research as proposal lead alongside other academics. The findings have been published internally and are under review for external publication.
Currently, the nominee is pursuing a fully funded PhD at the University of Leeds, supported by UKRI’s NERC Panorama DTP. Their research focuses on marine aquaculture in the Philippines, employing remote sensing and machine learning to map mariculture sites, particularly small-scale farms. They also analyse socio-economic drivers and the role of mariculture in nutritional security. Their first paper is in progress, and they recently received funding from the Leeds Institute of Data Analytics to attend the AI Turing PhD Connect conference.
Ankitha Manohar Alumni Awards Rising Star Award finalist
As part of the Feed-Care-Protect Doctoral Platform, they contribute to collaborative research on sustainable food systems, with training schools held in France and Brazil. They have also participated in public engagement initiatives, such as acting as a climate scientist for the British Council’s Mock COP28.
 

Emily Bibby

BEng Mechanical Engineering graduate
Supporting statement supplied by Samuel Fortmann
Emily Bibby has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication since graduating with the Babcock International Best Project Prize (First Prize). Currently excelling within the BAE Systems Graduate Scheme, Emily recently earned the Sustainability Graduate award at the BAE Systems Graduate Awards, recognising her impactful work in decarbonisation and vessel efficiency.
Emily is also pursuing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with a focus on using innovative appendages to enhance the seakeeping of high-speed military craft. Sponsored by BAE Systems, her research employs advanced tools like StarCCM+, tank testing, and detailed analysis to evaluate the effects of hydrofoils and other cutting-edge technologies on vessel performance.
Beyond her professional achievements, Emily embodies a commitment to community and personal growth. She volunteers with the RNLI, earning certificates to aid those stranded at sea, and has taken on increasing responsibilities within the organization. Additionally, she dedicates her time to mentoring and inspiring youth as a leader with her local Scout group.
Emily Bibby, Alumni Award Trailblazer Award finalist
Emily’s passion for innovation, sustainability, and community service underscores her multifaceted excellence. Her ability to balance advanced technical research, professional accomplishments, and meaningful volunteerism highlights her as a true rising star, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.