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Top Biochemistry and Biotechnology students receive Eli Lilly Awards for Academic Excellence
The UCC Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society hosted the annual Eli Lilly undergraduate and postgraduate awards for academic excellence on Tuesday 20th February 2018.
The students who achieved the highest grades in the MSc Biotechnology programme and in the undergraduate Biochemistry programme were recognised for their achievements. Dr Deirdre Buckley, Technical Services in Manufacturing Sciences Team Leader at Eli Lilly and Mr Gary Kirby, Personnel Representative at Eli Lilly presented the awards to the recipients.
Professor Tommie McCarthy, MSc Biotechnology Programme Director, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, UCC; Gary Kirby, Personnel Representative, Eli Lilly SA - Irish Branch, Kinsale, Co. Cork; Elaine O’Brien (BSc Biochemistry, MSc Biotechnology), recipient of the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in Biotechnology and currently employed @ Eli Lilly as TSMS Upstream Laboratory representative; and Dr Deirdre Buckley (BSc Biochemistry, UCC, PhD Biochemistry, UCC), TS/MS Team Leader, Eli Lilly SA - Irish Branch, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Elaine O’Brien was presented with the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in Biotechnology. Elaine attended Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty, Co.Cork and graduated from UCC with a first class honours degree in Biochemistry in 2016. Elaine was the recipient of the Art Champlin Gold Medal Award, as she graduated top of the Biochemistry class. Subsequently, Elaine went on to complete the Masters in Biotechnology - again graudating top of her class. Elaine's placement as part of the MSc Biotechnology programme was at Eli Lilly and she is now employed by Eli Lilly as a Technical Services representatiive in the Upstream Manufacturing Sciences section.
Professor Tommie McCarthy, MSc Biotechnology Programme Director, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, UCC; Gary Kirby, Personnel Representative, Eli Lilly SA - Irish Branch, Kinsale, Co. Cork; Orla Brosnan, recipient of the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in third year Biochemistry; and Dr Deirdre Buckley (BSc Biochemistry, UCC, PhD Biochemistry, UCC), TS/MS Team Leader, Eli Lilly SA - Irish Branch, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Orla Brosnan received the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in third year Biochemistry. Orla was a top student at Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland, Co. Kerry and has continued to excel at UCC. Orla received the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in second year Biochemistry in 2016. Orla completed her 4th year research project entitled “Investigation of the Effects of Resveratrol in HeLa Cells on Aspects of the SREBP Pathway” under the supervision of Professor Tommie McCarthy. When introducing Orla to receive her award, Professor McCarthy referred to Orla’s exceptional work ethic, which he witnessed over the course of the project.
Professor Tommie McCarthy, MSc Biotechnology Programme Director, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, UCC; Gary Kirby, Personnel Representative, Eli Lilly SA - Irish Branch, Kinsale, Co. Cork; Caoimhe Lynch, recipient of the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in second year Biochemistry; and Dr Deirdre Buckley (BSc Biochemistry, UCC, PhD Biochemistry, UCC), TS/MS Team Leader, Eli Lilly SA - Irish Branch, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Caoimhe Lynch received the Eli Lilly Award for Academic Excellence in second year Biochemistry. Caoimhe is a top student from St. Mary’s Secondary School, Macroom and has continued to excel at UCC, where she was awarded the title of College Scholar in 2016 and 2017. Caoimhe is currently applying for funding to complete a research internship under the supervision of Professor Cora O’Neill.
Professor Tommie McCarthy, Director of the Masters Programme in Biotechnology praised the students for their outstanding performance and remarkable achievements and discussed the traits of high achieving students. Professor McCarthy also thanked Eli Lilly for their support and sponsorship of the awards.
Following the awards presentation, Dr Deirdre Buckley BSc and PhD Biochemistry UCC graduate, and Eliane O’Brien gave a presentation on their roles in Eli Lilly. Dr Buckley’s presentation was entitled “Perspectives from UCC alumni working in Manufacturing Technical Services” and Elaine’s presentation was entitled ““My journey from Science Undergraduate to the Biopharmaceutical Industry”.
Members of the UCC Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society who helped to organise the Eli Lilly Awards night and Career Seminar in UCC on 20 February 2018 last.
The Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society would like to thank Dr Deirdre Buckley and Elaine O’Brien for their very informative seminars, outlining the wide range of opportunities that are available in the Biotechnology sector and for providing the audience with an insight into what it is like to work in Eli Lilly. They would also like to thank the families of the awardees for attending the ceremony and would like to wish the award recipients every success in their future studies and careers.