Ireland Team depart for International Chemistry Olympiad

Dublin City University is proud to announce the four Irish students representing Ireland at the 50th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Slovakia & Czech Republic, 19th - 29th July 2018 have departed to compete against the world’s most talented chemistry students at secondary school level.

The team, which consists of David McSharry (Dublin 13); Erin Fitzsimons-West (Co. Down); Nicholas Pochinkov (Co. Wicklow) and Philip Krause (Co. Cork) and accompanied by the Ireland Mentors, Asst Professor Mercedes Vasquez (DCU) and Dr Brian Murphy (Athlone Institute of Technology), will be tested on their chemistry knowledge and skills in a five-hour laboratory practical and five-hour written theoretical examination with the hopes of bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals.

The four students were selected on the basis of two selection rounds which took place in DCU over the last six months and have been participating in a full-time training schedule in DCU tackling specific chemistry topics.

The IChO is an annual competition involving approximately 80 countries from around the world and aims to stimulate student interest in chemistry through independent and creative solving of chemical problems.

Ireland has participated in the IChO since 1997 and has achieved 20 Bronze Olympic medals, two Silver Olympic medals and eight Highly Commended awards to date - a remarkable achievement for our gifted and talented Irish students in Chemistry.

Best of luck to all involved!