THE winners of the Limerick heat of FameLab 2021, the world’s leading science communication competition, have been announced.
Mariana Silva, a PhD student originally from Portugal but now studying at University of Limerick (UL) was announced as winner while Walter Stanley, a senior lecturer at UL, took home the runner up award.
Organised by British Council Ireland and funded by Science Foundation Ireland, FameLab teaches scientists and engineers how to convey their knowledge to others in a way that is engaging, enlightening and entertaining. The Pandemic has highlighted the importance of clear, engaging science communication.
Both Mariana and Walter will compete in the national final on 30th September (virtually). The Ireland winner, chosen from 12 finalists, will participate in the FameLab International Finals in November.
Mariana came to Ireland as part of her PhD programme as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow. Her research focuses on developing a method to produce tiny particles of drug molecules that have the potential to transform daily pills. It will make them a thing of the past by turning them into an injectable that treats a condition for months.
Walter is a senior lecturer in Mechanical/Aeronautical engineering at UL. He has over 25 years’ experience in the area of stress analysis, composite materials manufacture and mechanical testing.
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.
FameLab boasts a network of more than 90 Ireland alumni who continue to inspire engagement with science among the Irish public.
Many of these have achieved great success such as Dr Fergus McAuliffe (iCRAG) who won the FameLab International title in 2013 and has since developed a career in science communication (RTÉ’s 10ThingsToKnowAbout); Dr Niamh Kavanagh, named one of ‘20 incredible women leading the way to scientific advancement’ and ‘13 women helping women in STEM’ by Silicon Republic; and Tracey-Jane Cassidy, founder of the award-winning Junior Einstein’s Science Club to name but a few.
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.
The FameLab Ireland final is hosted by TV and radio broadcaster Jonathan McCrea and can be viewed live on Thursday September 30th at 6 pm on the British Council Ireland Facebook page. Visit: https://www.britishcouncil.ie/events/famelab-ireland-2021-virtual-final for more information.
You can keep up with all the action on Twitter by following @FameLab_ireland and join the conversation using #FameLab.
See Mariana’s winning entry here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP4sXCUVek4
See Walter’s entry which won runner up award here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1LxVntoGkM
