UCC Student Conor Krol Recognised for Academic Excellence with Lennox Chemistry Prize

12 Nov 2026

Lennox, an independent scientific and laboratory solutions company with a presence in Dublin, Cork and Galway, has awarded University College Cork (UCC) student Conor Krol, the Lennox Prize for Excellence in Chemistry, recognising his outstanding academic achievement.

Conor, a third-year BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds student, was presented with the €1,000 prize at UCC’s School of Chemistry prize-giving ceremony on Monday, 9 November 2026.

The annual prize, sponsored by Lennox, recognises the highest-achieving eligible second-year chemistry student at UCC and reflects the company’s commitment to encouraging the next generation of scientific talent in Ireland.

Conor first developed an interest in chemistry while studying for his Leaving Certificate, particularly through practical experiments. He has since pursued his interest in organic chemistry and its applications in pharmaceutical research and development at UCC.

Alongside his studies, Conor has gained hands-on research experience, including a summer internship at UCC’s School of Chemistry in 2026, where he contributed to the InTeleCat research project exploring the use of artificial intelligence in chemical research. He has also undertaken an independent research project applying machine learning to chemical analysis and served as a Peer-Assisted Learning Leader, supporting first-year chemistry students.

Commenting on receiving the award, Conor Krol said: “I’m honoured to receive the Lennox Prize for Excellence in Chemistry. It’s fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my studies, and it has motivated me to continue making the most of the opportunities available to me at UCC. I’ve always been particularly interested in organic chemistry and how it can be applied in pharmaceutical research and development.

My research experiences at UCC have strengthened that interest, and I hope to build a career in the pharmaceutical sector where I can apply what I’ve learned to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’m extremely grateful to Lennox for supporting this award and to the staff at UCC for their continued guidance and encouragement.”

Leslie Brett, CEO of Lennox, said: “Working with scientists and laboratories across Ireland, we see first-hand how important skilled people are to the success of the life sciences sector. But developing that expertise starts long before someone enters the workforce, and businesses have a role to play in encouraging young people to pursue careers in science.

As an Irish-owned business, we believe supporting the next generation of scientific talent is an investment in the future of our industry. Conor has already shown tremendous initiative in going beyond his studies to gain practical research experience, and we’re delighted to recognise his achievements through the Lennox Prize for Excellence in Chemistry.”

Professor Anita Maguire, Head of School of Chemistry at UCC, said: “Congratulations to Conor on receiving the Lennox Prize for Excellence in Chemistry, recognising his outstanding academic achievement and dedication to his studies. We are sincerely grateful to Lennox for its continued support of this prize.

Partnerships with industry are strategically important to the School of Chemistry, helping us recognise the achievements of our students while strengthening the connections between university education and Ireland’s scientific sector. Support such as this plays an important role in encouraging and celebrating the next generation of chemistry graduates.”