A University of Limerick researcher has been awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Young Talent Award in Engineering.
Dr Olwyn Mahon, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Engineering and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre at University of Limerick, was presented with the award at a ceremony held at Westminster, London.
The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Young Talent Programme, launched in 2007, is an annual initiative that awards grants worth £25,000 (or the equivalent in euro for candidates in Ireland) to five outstanding early-career female scientists in the fields of Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physical Sciences, and Sustainable Development.
The grants are designed to provide flexible and practical financial support, enabling these scientists to further their research and advance their careers.
In addition to the grant, winners receive training and networking opportunities supported by L’Oréal. The programme is run in partnership between L’Oréal UK and Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, with support from the Royal Society in the UK.
Speaking about her award, Dr Mahon said:
"I am incredibly honoured to have received the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Young Talent Award in Engineering. It is a real privilege to have my work recognised by a programme that not only celebrates scientific achievement, but also actively champions equity, visibility, and representation for women in science.
"For me, this award is both recognition of my work and strong encouragement to continue contributing to more inclusive and impactful science.
"Looking ahead, at this important stage of my postdoctoral career, I will continue advancing my academic research and pursuing further funding opportunities, while supporting and encouraging the next generation of women in STEM to pursue their ideas with confidence."
Dr Mahon received the award based on her project, DEP-MECH3D, which focuses on developing advanced engineered 3D tissue models that better replicate the changing biomechanics of bladder cancer as tumours progress from low-grade to high-grade invasive and metastatic disease.
The goal of the project is to better understand persistent cancer cell populations that survive treatment, drive therapy resistance, or acquire metastatic potential, ultimately helping to identify innovative new treatments.