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UL Student Mariana Silva wins the Limerick heat of FameLab 2021

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3 years ago

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Mariana Silva is a biomedical engineer currently doing a PhD at the University of Limerick

UL Student Mariana Silva wins the Limerick heat of FameLab 2021

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Ann Mc Donald


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Mariana and Dr Walter Stanley got through the Limerick heat of FameLab and made it to the FameLab Ireland Finals

Mariana Silva, a Portuguese PhD student studying at the University of Limerick, has won the Limerick heat of FameLab 2021, the world’s leading science communication competition.

Mariana came to Ireland as part of her PhD programme as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fund research and innovation and equip researchers at all stages of their career with new skills and knowledge, through mobility across borders and exposure to different sectors and disciplines.

Her research focuses on developing a method of producing tiny particles of drug molecules that have the potential to transform daily pills into an injectable that will treat a condition for months, making daily pills a thing of the past.

These injectables will make it easier for people from low-income families and people who don’t have access to proper healthcare to manage their illnesses and conditions.

Walter Stanley, a senior lecturer in Mechanical/Aeronautical engineering at UL, took home the runner-up award.

FameLab is organised by British Council Ireland and funded by Science Foundation Ireland. FameLab teaches scientists and engineers how to convey their knowledge to others in an engaging, enlightening and entertaining way.  They believe that the pandemic has highlighted the importance of clear and engaging scientific communication.

This will be the final year of the FameLab competition which has enticed more than 1,000 early career Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) professionals from across Ireland to participate over the past nine years.

The 12 finalists overcame strong competition from more than 70 contestants through FameLab regional heats in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick, as well as a nationwide FameLab video competition.

All entrants took part in a science communication training session and the lucky top 12 benefited from a prestigious master class with former BBC producer and public communication skills trainer, Malcolm Love and TV/radio broadcaster, Jonathan McCrea.

Tammy Strickland was the winner of FameLab Ireland 2021 and will represent Ireland in the FameLab International Finals in November.

For more information about FameLab go HERE 

For more stories about education go HERE 

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