My secondment at University College Cork (UCC) focused on the analysis of seaweed samples generated from the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) study, alongside the characterisation of fucoidan and alginate fractions obtained from seaweed biorefinery processes. The work involved evaluating the biochemical composition and quality of cultivated seaweed biomass, as well as analysing extracted polysaccharides for their potential applications and valorisation pathways. This secondment strengthened collaboration between partners and contributed to the development of sustainable approaches for seaweed utilisation within integrated aquaculture and biorefinery systems.