UCC STEM Graduates Honoured at UCC Alumni Achievement Awards

23 Feb 2026

Ornithologist and wildlife sound-recordist Seán Ronayne was among those honoured at the University College Cork (UCC) Alumni Achievement Awards. Seán graduated from UCC in 2009 with a Bachelor in Zoology and later returned to complete master’s degrees in Marine Biology and Ecological Assessment.

He is best known for his project to record the vocalisations of all of Ireland’s approximately 200 bird species, resulting in an extensive archive of wildlife soundscapes. This work informed the multi-award-winning documentary Birdsong. His debut book, Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging, won Dubray Biography of the Year at the Irish Book Awards and was long listed for the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing.

“Immersing myself in the sounds of nature is the most beautiful thing I could ever do. To be recognised with an Alumni Achievement Award for turning my passion into my life's work makes it even more special. I'm grateful for the role my time at UCC played in that journey” said Seán.

Alongside Seán, seven other inspirational alumni were also honoured an Alumni Achievement Award - one of the highest accolades given by UCC.

The awardees were:

• Billy Coleman (BComm 1969) Renowned Irish motorsport rally driver.

• Professor Ronan Collins (MB, BCh, BAO 1992) Consultant in geriatric and stroke medicine.

• Ruth Cotter (BA 1993) Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc’s Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

• Sharon Cunningham (BSc Finance 2006) CEO and co-founder of Shorla Oncology.

• Dr Saranna Fanning (BSc 2004; PhD Microbiology 2010) Assistant Professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

• Chevalier Adrian Gebruers (BA 1964; HDip in Education Arts 1965) Organist and Carillonneur.

• Dr Sarah O'Keeffe (BSc Chemistry 2002; PhD Science 2007) Group Vice President and Senior Vice President of Product Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company.

• Seán Ronayne (BSc, MA, MA 2016) Ornithologist and wildlife sound-recordist.

President of UCC, Professor John O’Halloran commended those receiving awards this evening; “I am delighted to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our awardees. Each awardee brings immense pride to the university, embodying our values and demonstrating our global impact.”

The Alumni Achievement Awards are an annual celebration of UCC’s alumni. Since 1998, the university has honoured a total of 133 graduates. Notable past winners include Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney, Olympic gold medallist rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, author Doireann Ní Ghríofa, RTÉ broadcaster Marty Morrissey, psychologist Maureen Gaffney, and Michelin-starred chef Ross Lewis.