A welcome message from Professor John O'Halloran, President of University College Cork.

When Maurice and Kandice Barron’s daughter Ava was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, they searched for light in their darkest moment – and found it in the most unlikely of places. Here, UCC alumnus Maurice discusses how a simple letter to US President Joe Biden brought Ava’s own story of hope to the world. In conversation with Jane Haynes.

Following the release of her third book, set in her alma mater, UCC alumna and author Catherine Kirwan reflects on her lifelong love of crime fiction, her unique path into the world of writing, and that Graham Norton moment. In conversation with Jane Haynes.

UCC and IGNITE alumni Amy Boyden and Niamh Murray are the founders of ForgetMeNot, an app that uses reminiscence therapy to improve communication for those living with dementia. Here, Amy and Niamh share the deeply personal motivations behind the app and how it is already changing lives. In conversation with Jane Haynes.

Le blianta beaga anuas tá borradh fés na deiseanna fostaíochta do dhaoine le Gaeilge ar an Mór-Roinn, mar a mhíníonn Feena Tóibín.

In the first instalment of our new series, Alison O’Mahony tells the love stories of couples Zaheera and Peter, and Eva and Hauke, who entered UCC to pursue their studies – and ended up finding love.

We reflect on another stellar UCC sporting year in which our senior Gaelic footballers reclaimed Sigerson Cup glory, our rowers continued their winning streak at home and abroad, and our kickboxers and powerlifters put their clubs on the map. 

The first-ever mapping of the crassvirus, the most abundant group of viruses in the human gut, has been hailed as a ‘breakthrough’ moment. Here, Professor Colin Hill, co-lead of the study, discusses how this discovery could shape human health and serve as a building block for the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow. In conversation with Marjorie Brennan.

Dr Marguerite Nyhan is a sustainability and environmental engineering academic who specialises in the science of sustainable cities. Having recently been awarded prestigious Science Foundation Ireland Frontiers for the Future funding, Dr Nyhan shares insights on how the responsible use of technology can help solve global urban sustainability challenges.

Dr Eoin Lettice of the SFI-funded Irish Tree Explorers Network (ITEN) initiative explains the concept of the ‘living classroom’ – an innovative tool aimed at sparking new conversations around some of our greatest environmental and social issues.

From conferring new graduates to welcoming back alumni for their diamond jubilee, summer at UCC has been a season of much colour and excitement.