Faculty of Science and Health Graduate Researcher Awards

Valerie Fitzgerald from the Biomedical Diagnostic Institute and Sarah Gilgunn of DCU’s School of Biotechnology have won outstanding graduate researcher awards from DCU’s Faculty of Science & Health.  As in previous years this was a highly contested competition but Valerie and Sarah, who are supervised by Dr Paul Leonard and Professor Richard O’Kennedy, stood out amongst the nominees.

The aim of this award is to recognise graduate students of exceptional ability who have made an outstanding contribution to research in the Faculty of Science and Health. The award is made on the basis of the totality of candidates’ research accomplishment during their research degree at DCU. The outstanding contribution may include:

●      Pioneering contribution to the development of their research area.
●      Pioneering contribution to interdisciplinary research.
●      Publication(s) in a high impact, leading international journal.
●      Presentation(s) at a leading international conference.
●      Obtaining a patent for outcomes from research work.
●      Developing research collaboration with academic, social or industrial partners.
●      Commercialisation or translation of research.
●      Contributions to student supervision (project students and new postgraduates).
●      Acquisition and dissemination of advanced research skills.

A maximum of two awards can be made each year. Each award consists of €1,000 and a commemorative medal and the names of the winners are inscribed on the Faculty of Science Outstanding Graduate Research Award Honour Board located in the Science Building.