Fifteen NUI Galway School of Medicine research students were recently awarded Summer Student Scholarships by the Health Research Board (HRB). The aim of the HRB Summer Student Scholarships is to encourage an interest in health research and to give students an opportunity to become familiar with the research process, research techniques and methodologies through conducting a summer project. The students will be supervised by academic and clinical staff at NUI Galway and Galway University Hospital and at the School Affiliated teaching Academies. The fifteen awardees from the School of Medicine are: Cliona Small from Knocknacarra, Galway; Maria Duignan from Boyle, Co Roscommon; Catherine Crowe from Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon; Máirtín Ó Maoláin from Dangan, Galway; Sorcha Kearney Wolnik from Shantalla, Galway; Fiachra O Deasmhunaigh from Bishoptown, Co Cork; Sarah Cormican from Oranmore, Co Galway; Domhnall O'Connor from Tullamore, Co Offaly; Tariq Esmail from Burlington, Canada; Dympna O' Dwyer from Mullagh, Co Clare; Mark Gurney from Grange, Co Sligo; Kate Dinneen from Barna, Co Galway; Robert McGrath from Loughrea, Co Galway; Urszula Donigiewicz from Carigtwohill, Co Sligo, Darren Kilmartin from Rosses Point, Co Sligo and Alan Jacobsen from Castlegar, Co Galway. The Scholarship scheme is open to undergraduate students who are studying in a health-related discipline in a university in Ireland and who are not in the final year of their degree course. The research project must be in one of the following research areas: applied biomedical research, clinical research, health services research and population health sciences research. The Scholarship will support the students' participation in research over the summer and they will receive €250 per week for a maximum of eight weeks. Professor Fidelma Dunne, Head of the School of Medicine at NUI Galway, said: "This is fantastic news for the School of Medicine and demonstrates yet again the success of our students nationally. It also demonstrates the mentorship provided by our clinical and academic staff in the partnership arrangement. In total we have 60 undergraduate students participating in research this summer, 15 of whom will now be supported by HRB. We have also a number of applications pending with the Welcome Foundation. The work of the students and their supervisors will culminate in an Undergraduate Research Day later in the year and to many publications in the national and international Medical literature." -Ends-

NUI Galway is offering secondary school students the choice of three separate Summer Schools in June, across the disciplines of Computing, Engineering and Science. Aimed at students in transition, fifth and sixth year, the summer schools are specially designed to give prospective students a real taste of University life through a wide range of hands-on practical activities. Caroline Loughnane, Director for Marketing and Communications at NUI Galway, says: "This is our third year of summer schools and they are proving hugely popular. Not only are summer schools a great opportunity to experience University life, but they also help participants to really find out what subjects and courses they will be best suited to in college. We recommend that secondary school students choose subjects they enjoy for their CAO options, and these summer schools are a great way of helping students to discover where their interests lie." From Monday 13 to Friday 17 June, the Computing Summer Camp introduces computing in a novel, fun and interactive way. Students, from first to sixth year, will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with a range of digitally-inspired topics including Digital Media, Games, Robotics, Programming and Animation. Participants will have the opportunity to use leading-edge technologies, from constructing and controlling robots that can interact with their environment, to directing a virtual 'mini-movie' that can be uploaded to a website and shared with friends. On Thursday, 23 June, the Engineering Summer School will offer a taste of experiences as wide-ranging as controlling a wastewater treatment plant remotely, building an eco-house; and for future Formula 1 engineers, designing a go-kart. There will also be a 'Frankenstein Design Feature' on how bioengineers make new body parts. Participants in the Engineering Summer School will also have the unique opportunity of being the first students ever to use the University's new Engineering Building. The state-of-the-art facility opens to all students in September. From Monday 27 to Tuesday 28 June, the Science Experience Summer Event will offer students two whole days to delve into a wide range of scientific disciplines in world class research facilities and institutes. The workshop will feature all disciplines of the College of Science including Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. Prospective students will get a taste of life as a scientist with the opportunity to gain a closer view of the research facilities with tours, to take part in lab experiments and demonstrations and to speak to the lecturers and the scientists at NUI Galway. Spaces for all Summer Schools are limited so early booking is advised. The last date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 31 May. To find out more or for applications visit www.nuigalway.ie/summer-schools. -Ends-

A public seminar on the topic HIV and the criminal law: combating stigma through science will take place next Tuesday, 3 May in NUI Galway. People who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have, or are believed to have, put others at risk of acquiring HIV may be prosecuted in many countries. This great intrusion by the law into the lives of HIV-positive individuals in addition to issues regarding confidentiality, discriminatory treatment of certain individuals, and regarding HIV and sex education in schools have become a major concern for many people involved in HIV prevention and treatment, as well as those who provide all kinds of support for HIV-positive people. Dr Grace McCormack from the School of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway says; "The incidence of HIV in Ireland has increased dramatically since 1999 and we should all be aware of issues surrounding this infectious disease. This public seminar on criminalisation of HIV transmission is relevant to the public, to health care professionals, and to scientists who track the spread and evolution of the disease" This public seminar will take place in the MRI Annex, NUI Galway on Tuesday, 3 May, 2011 at 5.30 pm. The seminar will be given by Edwin J Bernard, who is a writer, editor and advocate specialising in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-related issues and is being held as part of the 18th International Conference on HIV Dynamics and Evolution, hosted by Dr Grace McCormack and Dr Simon Travers of NUI Galway at the Radisson Blue hotel from 1 to 4 May, 2011. "This is the first time this international conference has been held in Ireland and the seminar has been designed to bridge the gap between science and the public in this important area". For further information please contact Grace McCormack on 086 1003023 or email grace.mccormack@nuigalway.ie -Ends-

A doctoral fellow at the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change (CISC) at NUI Galway, Ciara Fitzgerald, was presented with second prize in the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Graduate Student Literature Review Prize at their annual meeting in Las Vegas recently. Originally from Bishopstown, Co Cork, Ciara's studies are funded under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI 4) as part of the Irish Social Sciences Platform. Her research is focused on examining strategic planning and formulation practices in Irish Technology Transfer Office and her prize winning paper focused on Legitimacy, Mission and Management: Key Challenges for Technology Transfer Offices. The criteria for this global competition include topic saliency to AUTM members, adequate richness of discussion for application to practice, and strength of conceptual framework in organising the review. As a prize winner, Ciara was invited to attend the AUTM Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, where her achievement was announced at an all-conference session and where her award plaque was presented. Furthermore, she was invited to present her work at the Conference. "This is an outstanding achievement for Ciara and all at CISC at NUI Galway would like to congratulate her on her success" said Dr James Cunningham, Director of the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change at NUI Galway. -Ends-

The Dublin Ageing Research Network (DARN) sponsored 2011 Jack Flanagan Intervarsity Competition took place on Wednesday, 6 April 2011 in Dublin. The event was won by the NUI Galway School of Medicine team which included Larissa Higgins, Tara McDonnell, Tara Tarmey and Teresa O'Dowd. The winners were awarded the Jack Flanagan Medal in Gerontology and a cash bursary. The competition, named after Dr Jack Flanagan, Ireland's first doctor to specialise in modern day geriatric medicine, originated as an intervarsity competition between the penultimate year students of Dublin medical schools and has in recent years expanded to include Galway and Cork medical schools. The event focuses on student teams from each of the medical schools being challenged on their knowledge of medicine and psychiatric programmes and how they interrelate with an ageing population. The competition takes the form of a clinical-pathological review where competitors are given a case to analyse and must formulate a care plan and diagnosis for the patient. Professor Fidelma Dunne, Head of the School of Medicine at NUI Galway, commended the students on their performance at the event and looks forward to hosting the Jack Flanagan Medal at NUI Galway in 2012. -Ends-