Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition ’26

In 2013, Ciara, Emer, and Sophie from Kinsale Community School impressed judges with their research into how bacteria affect seed growth. Their success continued, presenting at the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) and winning the top prize at the Google Science Fair. Today, Ciara is a PhD student working on disease modeling, Emer is doing postdoctoral research in infectious diseases and immunology while supporting global STEM programs, and Sophie is a youth activist who promotes food security and gender equality—having founded Act4Food. Sophie’s work has been recognised by Global Citizen, Forbes, and the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.

Shane Curran took home the top prize in 2017 with a project on highly secure, encrypted data storage. He later launched a cybersecurity startup called Evervault, which has secured major funding and operates from Dublin and San Francisco.

Cormac and Alan won in 2020 for exploring how children form gender stereotypes. As winners, they went on to represent Ireland at the EUCYS. Cormac is now studying medicine, focusing on obstetrics and newborn care, while Alan interned with Mercedes-Benz and is pursuing a career in engineering.

John Monahan became the first-ever YSTE winner in 1965 with a project on how the human digestive system works. He later launched a Nasdaq-listed biotech company and took on major roles in synthetic biology research in the US.