Two prizes for Cavan student at Young Scientist Exhibition

A Cavan student has taken two prizes at this year's BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).

Rachael Burns from Colaiste Dún an Rí in Kingscourt took third prize for an individual in the intermediate category.

Her project 'An investigation into alternative feed stock for the production of biodiesel fuel contributing to a cleaner environment' also won this year's Eli Lilly Special Award.

Rachael's project was entered in the Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences category.

The winners of the 59th exhibition were announced this afternoon. Shane O’Connor and Liam Carew, aged 19 and in sixth year in the Abbey School, Tipperary, won the top prize with their project 'Assessing the impact of second-level education on key aspects of adolescents’ life and development.' The coveted prize was presented to the winners this evening in the RDS in Dublin by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.

Chair of the Social and Behavioural Sciences Group Judging Panel, Professor Joe Barry said: "What we are looking at here is a very impressive survey conducted in three waves over 24 months with more than 2,000 responses examining how secondary school students perceived school to impact on their social, physical and mental wellbeing.

"One of the key findings coming out of the research was that whilst inequality is prevalent in DEIS[1] schools, exponential improvements in areas of pastoral care and physical health are quickly closing this gap. To quote directly from the students’ research, ‘Secondary school is a vital social outlet for students and this can be seen across our interviews, focus groups and in particular in our survey’."

The 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology winners received the BTYSTE perpetual trophy and the top prize of €7,500. The winners will also represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, which takes place in Brussels, Belgium in September 2023. They’ll also get to attend the 64th Annual London International Youth Science Forum this summer.

Speaking at the awards ceremony this evening, Minister for Education, Norma Foley, congratulated all the winner onwhat has been "another inspiring year" of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

"With the BTYSTE back in person for the first time since before the pandemic, I have had the pleasure to witness first-hand the level of innovation and creativity demonstrated by this year’s entrants, across a range of important and relevant topics. To every participant – you have been an excellent representative of yourself, your family and your school, and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements. The calibre of each entry is a testament to the tenacity and talent of the students behind them, and it is this constant high standard that makes BT Young Scientist one of the longest running, and most successful STEM events in Europe," said Minister Foley.

Ayush Tambde, aged 18, and in sixth year in Stratford College in Dublin won the prize for Best Individual, with his project, 'Analysis of single-cell proteomic data to understand the mechanisms of oncogenic transformation and how to control them'.

This project studied the problems of breast cancer. It took new protein biology approaches to relook at an important existing data set and come up with novel insights into potential treatments for difficult to treat breast cancers.

Adrian Drogomir, aged 19, and in sixth year in Adamstown Community College in Dublin won the prize for Runner-up Individual, with his project, AL-energy.

Olivia O’Shea, Erica O’Brien Murray and Abigail O’Brien Murray, aged 17 and in fifth year in Loreto College, Balbriggan won the prize for Runners-up Group, with their project, 'Can we save the common ash?'

Dr Richard O’Hanlon, Biological and Ecological Sciences Group Judge said, ‘Ash dieback is the most serious tree disease to arrive in Ireland in over 50 years. These young scientists have provided robust data to highlight potential treatments which could, in combination with other actions, protect our native ash trees.’

Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland, thanked all participating students and their teachers and congratulated the winners.

"The past week has been truly inspiring, and I am in awe of your unique and individual talents. The level of creativity, innovation and research displayed over the last number of days has been nothing short of remarkable, and I am humbled and grateful to be a part of it," he said.