Students from across science courses at WIT were recognised for their outstanding projects throughout the year at the Science Industry Awards
The BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science programme was delighted to present two industry-sponsored Awards at the Department of Science Industry sponsored Awards held on 4 June 2020.
The Undergraduate Research Project Award which was kindly sponsored by Sanofi. The Award was presented to two students for excellence in their laboratory work, data interpretation, scientific analysis and reporting and poster presentation.
The winners were Kristina Fitzgerald whose project title was 'Multi-step reactions employing hydrolytic enzymes for the development of green organic synthesis routes' and supervised by Dr Claire Lennon, and Róisín O’Brien whose project title was the 'Development of contact lenses for the controlled delivery of ocular therapeutics' and was supervised by Dr Laurence Fitzhenry.
An honour in trying times
Kristina Fitzgerald, a past pupil of Colaiste Cois Suire, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny is one of the two students at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to be awarded for the Best Undergraduate Research Project awards in the Department of Science Awards Ceremony which took place on Thursday 4th June.
"I feel honoured to be awarded a prize, especially in such trying times,” said the 4th year student who has recently completed studying the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science.
Her dreams for the future include: gaining experience in industry, as well as considering furthering her education.
Double win
One of the winners is Róisín O’Brien, a past pupil of Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, Wexford. Róisín was presented with awards for Best Literature Review Presentation, sponsored by Sofrimar, Kilmore Quay, and Best Undergraduate Research Project, sponsored by Sanofi, Waterford. Both awards were presented for her work in her final year research project, entitled ‘Development of Contact Lenses for the Controlled Delivery of Ocular Therapeutics.’
Strong alumni link
Kumar Khamar, Manufacturing Sciences Manager, who attended from Sanofi said: “Congratulations to all the students, academics and support staff for completing project in covid-19 situation. Sanofi has been working with WIT for many years and we are fortunate to have number of WIT alumni as staff. I want to thank WIT for their proactiveness, approachability and creating eco-system for nurturing talent, scientific progress and supporting local industry.”
About the awards
The Department of Science at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) recently held its Industry Sponsored Awards Ceremony for 2020 via Zoom.
These awards were sponsored by Source Bioscience, Environmental Science Association of Ireland, Sanofi, Bausch & Lomb, Sofrimar, Dawn Meats, Comeragh Veterinary practice, Dairymaster, AIB and for the first time Trivium Vet.
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