LYIT student, Fiona McCauley, has been named as a winner in the Life Sciences category for the 2012 Undergraduate Awards – an international academic awards programme that identifies top students across the globe through their innovative undergraduate research.  Fiona was awarded for her undergraduate research paper entitled "Gene Silencing".

Panels of international academics assessed the 2890 coursework entries that were received from students attending third level institutions across Ireland, the USA, UK and Canada, and selected two winners – an international winner and Irish winner - per the 20 academic categories.  Joining Fiona is Danielle Boobyer of University of St Andrews who was named as the international programme winner in the Life Sciences category.

Fiona will be brought to Dublin for the UA Summit (7 - 10 November) where she will receive her award from patron of the Undergraduate Awards, President of Ireland  Michael D Higgins, at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony at Royal Hospital Kilmainham on 9 November.

“The UA Summit will serve as a three-day pop-up incubation centre for some of the world’s most exceptional young minds” said Louise Hodgson, UA Programme Director.  “From hands-on workshops and networking events to talks with inspiring young achievers, entrepreneurs and academics to fast-track the ideas and career paths of the high potential attendees, the UA Summit is going to be one of the most exciting student-focused events in Europe”.

The UA Summit will also include the Forum on Higher Education that will bring together edupreneurs and pioneers in the field of education to discuss disruptive education.  Speakers include CEO of the Wolfram Group and world famous TEDster, Conrad Wolfram.  For further information on the UA Summit and the results of the 2012 Undergraduate Awards, please see www.undergraduateawards.com.