GNC participation in START 2025

GNC members Dr. Louise Horrigan, Dr. Giulia Comini and Dr. Siobhan McMahon, had a fun day again this year at the annual START competition awards event on 16^th May https://startcompetition.com/.

START is a competition organised by the HRB-TMRN (Health Research Board - Trials Methodology Research Network) to promote understanding of clinical trials amongst primary school students. The young scientists and their teachers create their own trial in the classroom, and 3 shortlisted schools are welcomed to the University for a day of workshops and fun. This year the finalists included some very bright trialists from Mountrath, Co. Laois; Corrandulla, Co. Galway; and Tuam, Co. Galway. We were delighted to have the young scientists join us for some brain-boosting activities that brought neuroscience to life.

The junior researchers examined neurons under the microscope, were captivated by Benham’s disc, and through some mind-expanding mirror-writing, learned about how the brain depends on visual and other inputs in order to perform normal functions.