Forensic Science students from IT Sligo won the top prize at the 2017 Eurachem Analytical Measurement Competition (EAMC) competition, held in Dublin.
Kris O’Dowd from Sligo and Samera McGrath, who’s originally from Clonmel in Co Tipperary, are both second year Forensic Investigation and Analysis students. They finished ahed of some fifty chemistry students from third-level institutions across Ireland to land the top prize.
L-R: Professor Ray Leonard (judging panel member & ex Directorate Analytical Services, Henkel Ireland), Samera McGrath (IT Sligo), Kris O’Dowd (IT Sligo) & Dr Ted McGowan (IT Sligo team mentor and lecturer).
The event was hosted in the Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI) at Dublin Institute of Technology’s new Grangegorman campus.
Now into its 18th year, the EAMC Competition is open to teams of two full-time third-level students studying in their second year of laboratory sciences in Universities or Institutes of Technology anywhere in Ireland. The students, nominated by their institution, are some of the top chemistry students in the country.
Congratulating the students on their success, Dr Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo, said: “Winning this competition is not only a great achievement by the students involved but also reflects the high standards of IT Sligo’s chemistry programme and of the staff involved in its delivery.”
IT Sligo’s Forensic Investigation & Analysis programme is recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the teaching of Higher Level Leaving Certificate Chemistry. The Level 8 Forensic Investigation & Analysis programme is also accredited by the UK Chartered Society of Forensic Science.