Aoibheann, from Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk in Tralee, attended the Centre for Talented Youth in Dublin City University (DCU) for three weeks several years ago and it set her off on a determined quest. <\/p>\n
\u201cI studied medicine and we came across brain tumours, specifically glioblastoma,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was in first year at the time so I was a bit naive, but when I heard about the glioblastoma survival rate \u2013 the five-year survival rate is only 5.1 per cent \u2013 it shook me. I was like, it\u2019s 2023, why is it so low? <\/p>\n
\u201cI learned how to code before \u2013 from the internet \u2013 so I wondered can I apply coding to this problem?\u201d <\/p>\n
The result is an AI tool that can detect the mutations associated with glioblastoma and profile the tumours from MRI scans without the need for the invasive procedures usually required to collect brain tissue for analysis. <\/p>\n
The idea is to give doctors clear diagnoses faster so they can begin treatment sooner, without such invasive procedures. <\/p>\n
Aoibheann does not want to stop there, however. <\/p>\n
\u201cA neurosurgeon said to me: if you were able to model for the patient\u2019s occupation, you could balance a treatment plan with quality of life,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo, say you\u2019re a pianist \u2013 you could tailor the treatment to take into account how the patient wants to live and what they want to be able to do. So that\u2019s what I want to look at next.\u201d <\/p>\n
Aoibheann has two younger siblings and two very proud parents \u2013 Anne, a pharmacist, and John, an engineer. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so proud of her. She has worked so, so hard,\u201d said Anne. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe went everywhere for information to make this work. She didn\u2019t give up. She won a category award last year and just kept working to improve it.\u201d <\/p>\n
While ribbons and streamers piled up around Aoibheann, she admitted to being a little overwhelmed and wasn\u2019t thinking about celebrating just yet. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll just go to bed,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m very tired.\u201d <\/p>\n
[\u00a0Young scientists show how to quiz a billionaire and ensure politicians feel inadequateOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Her work beat off strong competition from 550 projects selected for final judging out of almost 2,000 entries this year, which is the 62nd year of the event. <\/p>\n She takes home prize money of \u20ac7,500 and will represent Ireland at the EU Contest for Young Scientists in Kiel, Germany, later this year.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Aoife Fadian and Jessica O\u2019Connor from Ursuline College in Sligo, were named best group with their project using sheep\u2019s wool to reinforce concrete. <\/p>\n Joshua Corbett from St Mary\u2019s CBS in Co Laois won individual runner-up for his project that identifies nanocarriers for intranasal drug delivery to treat brain cancer. <\/p>\n Ritvik Venkateshwar and Hao Wen Liu from Stratford College in Dublin were named runner-up group, with their project to accurately describe the early universe. <\/p>\n If the experience of past winners is anything to go by, Aoibheann is about to embark on a big life adventure. <\/p>\n Last year\u2019s winners \u2013 sisters Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise Murphy<\/a> from Presentation Secondary School, Tralee \u2013 described their win as having opened up \u201ca whole new world\u201d to them. <\/p>\n The trio won for their development of an app they called ACT (Aid Care Treat) that facilitates the swift sharing of medical data and location details between health practitioners, hospitals and first responders so that faster and more accurate assistance in medical emergencies could be provided. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re continuing our collaboration with the HSE and we\u2019ve begun collaborating with the World Health Organisation so we\u2019re very optimistic about the future for the app,\u201d said Ciara (18), who is sitting her Leaving Cert<\/a> this year. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd aside from that, we\u2019ve travelled the country for Women in Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) events which we\u2019re really proud to be part of. We\u2019ve been exploring a whole world and it\u2019s been so enjoyable.\u201d <\/p>\n [\u00a0From Aran jumpers to the mysteries of the universe: Young Scientists explore the worldOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Ciara said taking part in the YSTE had also helped the girls discover their passions. <\/p>\n She has almost decided on applying to study law now, while Saoirse (16) would like to pursue medicine. <\/p>\n Currently in transition year, she is doing work experience with a gynaecologist. <\/p>\n Laoise (13), who is in second year, said she was leaning towards studying finance. <\/p>\n If all goes to plan, they say they\u2019ll have the ideal trio of skills to set up their own company. <\/p>\n But there is payback for having YSTE honours. Cormac Harris from Cork, overall winner in 2020, and Liam Carew<\/a>, overall winner in 2023, were drafted in as judges in the primary school<\/a> science fair which takes place alongside the main event. <\/p>\n They were not complaining though. <\/p>\n![\"Runner-up](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4MRG3NQDVBBCLMD7U3TYD73X6Q.JPG\")
Runner-up Joshua Corbett from St Mary’s CBS in Co Laois. Photograph Nick Bradshaw <\/p>\n