NUI Galway Biomedical Engineering student Michael Dunning has been named Siemens Innovative Engineer of the Year 2007 at a ceremony in Dublin.

This prestigious award, now in its 9th year, is presented annually by Siemens and Engineers Ireland to a final year engineering student who has developed an innovative technology or product that is commercially viable.

Michael, from Athlone, Co. Westmeath won the award for his final year research project, A Self-Expanding Nano-Fibrous Biodegradable Stent, which developed a stent to treat urethral strictures. Stents are small medical devices designed to be inserted into a vessel or passageway to keep it open.

Professor Padraic O Donoghue, Dean of Engineering at NUI Galway, said: "I would like to congratulate Michael on his tremendous achievement in winning the prestigious Siemens Prize. This is the top award nationally for engineering graduates and there is always very keen competition for it. His success is further evidence of the high quality of the engineering programmes at NUI Galway and our strength within Biomedical Engineering. I also acknowledge the contributions of his lecturers and in particular those of his advisor, Professor Abhay Pandit."

Michael received a specially commissioned trophy along with a cheque for €2,000. A further prize of €1,250 will be awarded should he decide to continue with post-graduate studies in engineering at an accredited University or Institute of Technology.

Speaking after receiving the award, Michael said: "I am delighted to have won the prize, which is a wonderful accolade to have on my CV. There was some very strong competition in the final, including another student from my course, which is a great reflection on the department and is justified because of the great researchers and lecturers doing interesting and innovative research."

The award is open to final year engineering students of Engineers Ireland accredited engineering degree courses from Universities and Institutes of Technology, north and south of the border. Each the year competition receives applications from 14 participating Universities and ITs who nominate two student projects each for the award.

The Siemens Innovative Engineer of the Year Award encourages young engineering students to be innovative in their work and to think about the practical and commercial applications of their research. For further information on the award logon to: www.engineersireland.ie