2009 Press Releases

UCC wins Premier Science Prize
28.04.2009

UCC Mathematics Postgraduate, Julie O’Donovan is this year's winner of the Intervarsity Science Speak Competition.
PhD candidates from all seven Irish universities gathered at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) last evening (April 27th 2009) to compete in this national public understanding of science event for a top prize of €1,000.

Julie, from Inniscarra, Co. Cork emerged victorious with her talk titled: “Collections of spherical obstacles that Brownian motion can avoid”.  A UCC Mathematics and Physics graduate, Julie subsequently completed a Master’s degree and spent some time in Poland before returning to UCC to carry out research in the School of Mathematical Sciences under the supervision of Dr Tom Carroll.

This is the second year in a row that UCC has won the competition with Suzanne McEndoo taking the coveted prize last year.

Organised by Irish Universities Promoting Science, ScienceSpeak competition aims to encourage young scientists to communicate the results of their research to the general public in an easily understandable manner. All of the finalists were already winners in their respective universities having gone through selection competitions to reach the ScienceSpeak final.

Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Head, College of Science, Engineering & Food Science, congratulating Julie, said:  "Communication skills are one of the most important attributes of successful researchers, and communication with the public about science has never been more important that it is today.  I am delighted to see students participating in this hugely valuable programme, and particularly proud to see UCC win the trophy for the second time."

RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny acted as compère for the event, introducing the students and keeping them within the time limit for presentations. The panel of judges this year included Peter Brabazon of Discover Science and Engineering,  Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor, Irish Times RTÉ meteorologist Evelyn Cusack, broadcaster and science writer, Mary Mulvihill and broadcaster and teacher, Aoibheann Ni Shuilleabháin.

This intervarsity event is a joint initiative organised by the RDS and The Irish Times, in association with Irish Universities Promoting Science. It is supported by the Discover Science and Engineering programme and Wyeth Ireland at Grange Castle, Dublin.

Picture: Science Speak winner, Julie O’Donovan, School of Mathematical Sciences, UCC with Pat Kenny, RTE

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