Undergraduate students across Cork benefiting from strategic State funding

Two leading research groups – based at University College Cork and Tyndall National Institute – have been awarded the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Undergraduate Research Experience and Knowledge Award (UREKA). The UREKA programme supports research participation by undergraduate students and aims to provide participants with the opportunity to conduct challenging and meaningful research projects in a specialised research environment.

UREKA Sites provide high quality interaction for students with faculty members and other research mentors, and access to appropriate facilities and professional development opportunities. The Sites are funded for up to three years and consist of a group of researchers and undergraduate students, who are assigned research projects.

The UREKA Site at UCC, Microbe-Host Interactions (MHI), focuses on the molecular interaction that takes place between host and microbe. The 12 students taking park in the programme are investigating how bacteria, fungi, viruses, mammals and plants talk to each other at a molecular level. This work will aid the understanding of how pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi cause disease in the host, whilst similar micro-organisms are beneficial.
Commenting on the programme, Dr Cormac Gahan, Department of Microbiology, UCC, said “The response to our UREKA programme this year has been incredible. Our 12 students represent the best candidates out of over 170 applicants from Ireland and abroad. The UREKA scheme provides a unique opportunity for them to gain hands-on experience of a cutting edge research project as well as to learn from the seminars, industry site-visits and career development workshops that we have put in place.”

FASTNET (From Atoms to Systems – Tyndall undergraduate research NETwork) is the second UREKA Site in Cork, based at the Tyndall National Institute. The group is made up of 14 students, focusing on multidisciplinary research in ICT-related materials, devices and systems technologies.

Commenting on the UREKA programme, Mary O’Regan, Tyndall National Institute, said “UREKA is a wonderful programme for both the students and Tyndall. Through their projects and interacting with the researchers, the students learn what it is like to work in a Research Institute. A significant number of students who have participated in this programme come back to do their PhD’s in Tyndall.”

Commenting on the Awards, Professor Frank Gannon, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland, said “The UREKA programme gives undergraduates a prime opportunity to advance their knowledge in the research field of their choice. Active research experience is considered one of the most effective ways to attract talented undergraduates and retain them in careers in science and engineering. It is expected that UREKA Sites will become a powerful tool for attracting very highly motivated undergraduates who would provide a pool of high calibre potential PhD students.”

ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Neal Cummins, Fleishman-Hillard, 01-6188444
Alva O'Cléirigh, Communications Manager, Science Foundation Ireland, 01-607 3249 / 087 915 2553