Young Scientist: Winner scoops prize for brain cancer diagnostic tool

A fourth-year student from Kerry has won the overall prize at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition for her development of a diagnostic tool for brain cancer.

Aoibheann Daly, a 4th year student from Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, won with her project “GlioScope: Multi-task Deep Learning and Causal AI for Glioma & Glioblastoma Profiling”.

The winning project “GlioScope” helps doctors improve the treatment of brain cancer.

The treatment and prognosis for brain cancer depend on the specific genetic mutations present, but there are currently no good methods for identifying these mutations.

Doctors rely on taking samples of brain tissue, which is expensive, slow and carries a high risk of bleeding in the brain.

She takes home prize money of €7,500 and will represent Ireland at the EU Contest for Young Scientists in Kiel, Germany, later this year.

Aoife Fadian and Jessica O'Connor, 5th year students from Ursuline College in Sligo, were named Best Group, with their project “Sheep Strength II: Using Sheep Wool to Reinforce Concrete”.

Expanding on their work from last year, the pair investigated the most effective, market-friendly form of sheep wool as a strengthening agent for concrete.

Joshua Corbett, a 6th year student from St. Mary's C.B.S. in Laois, won the Individual Runner Up, with his project “There's Plenty of Room To Break Through at the Bottom” which identifies tiny nanocarriers for drug delivery administered through the nose to treat brain cancer.