Three UK scientists from the National Oceanography Centre have been honoured at the esteemed Challenger Conference.

Three scientists from the Southampton centre, Professor Penny Holliday, Dr Anna Katavouta and Di Tiago Segabinazzi Dotto have been recognised.

Professor Holliday, a renowned specialist, received a Challenger Medal in acknowledgment of her substantial contribution to oceanography and her tireless work backing others, promoting equality, and offering opportunities for those new to the field.

The professor works on projects to comprehend the circulation and variability of the subpolar North Atlantic, and the ocean's role in climate.

The Challenger Medal, the Society's peak honour, acknowledges a significant UK marine scientist or other individual who has made either a widespread or sustained contribution to marine science, or whose initiative has brought forward new theories.

Dr Katavouta and Dr Dotto have received the Challenger Fellowship.

This recognition is reserved for early career scientists to acknowledge their outstanding accomplishments or potential in a branch of marine science.

The fellowship was created by the Challenger Society in 2000 and is awarded biennially to members of the Society.

The Challenger Conference represents the UK's largest coming together of marine scientists, with around 300 scientists from the UK and beyond in attendance.

Dr John Siddorn, CEO of the National Oceanography Centre, said: "NOC’s industry leading experts undertake in-depth oceanographic science research and work alongside their expert peers across the world.

"It is a pleasure to see our team recognised for their dedication to facilitate world-class agenda-setting scientific research which aims to understand the global ocean and provide real life solutions to world-wide problems."