Niamh Corcoran, a Biomedical Engineering student from Lecarrow, and Rebecca Norris, a Bachelor of Science student from Athlone, were presented with bespoke framed glass artworks after being named as receipients of a scholarship from global healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson, as part of its WiSTEM2D Programme at University of Galway. Photos: Martina Regan

Two local students awarded 'women in STEM' scholarships in Galway

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Two locals, Rebecca Norris from Athlone and Niamh Corcoran from Lecarrow, were among a group of ten University of Galway students who were this week awarded scholarships as part of of Johnson & Johnson's Women in STEM2D undergraduate award programme.

The scholarship programme recognises outstanding female students in STEM2D disciplines, of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Manufacturing and Design.

Rebecca, Niamh and the other eight recipients receive a student award, industry mentoring and leadership training, along with the opportunity to attend careers workshops, visit Johnson & Johnson sites and participate in WiSTEM2D events designed to support them in the pursuit of future STEM careers.

Rebeccca Norris, from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, is a Bachelor of Science student while Niamh Corcoran from Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon is studying Biomedical Engineering.

University of Galway students, including locals Rebecca Norris and Niamh Corcoran, are pictured with bespoke framed glass artworks to mark their receipt of scholarships from global healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson, as part of its WiSTEM2D Programme. Photo Martina Regan

This is the second year that the University of Galway has been involved with the programme, which has been running in Ireland since 2016.

The initiative is designed to fuel the development of "the female STEM2D talent pipeline" by awarding and sponsoring girls and women at critical points in their educational experience and careers.

The undergraduate programme was first introduced at University of Limerick in 2016. Since then, it has expanded to include University College Cork in 2018, and University of Galway in 2021, and Munster Technological University in 2022, supporting more than 400 female students over the last 6 years.

University of Galway President, Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: "We are delighted to strengthen our partnerships with industry and especially with Johnson & Johnson through initiatives such as the WiSTEM2D programme.

"We can achieve more together as the Irish term 'Meitheal' suggests - describing how neighbours would come together to achieve a mutually better harvest.

"As access to tertiary education expands, we recognise that support for underrepresented students while they are part of our community is critical.

"Industry support for our underrepresented students in STEM can act as a catalyst to level the playing field, which is increasingly important against the backdrop of growing diversity in Ireland and the need to recognise and design for intersectionality in education."

The awards ceremony was held in Áras Na Mac Léinn, University of Galway, and was also attended by Anna Rafferty, Director of Strategy, Johnson & Johnson Campus Ireland; AnnaLisa Smullin, Senior R&D Engineer and WiSTEM2D Lead at Cerenovus; and Cara Feely, Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Cerenovus.

Recipients of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award scholarship were also presented with bespoke framed glass artwork created by Fermoy-based artist, Suzanne O'Sullivan.

Adrian Cusack
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