Marine Institute Celebrates Innovation and Excellence at 2025 Bursary Presentation Day
The 2025 cohort of Marine Institute Bursary Programme students showcased their work at the annual Bursar Presentation Day, on July 22nd at the Marine Institute’s Galway headquarters.
The Bursars used posters and flash presentations to explain their activity over the summer, and the impact and importance of their achievements. Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, alongside Pat Costello, Senior Laboratory Analyst and Sheena Fennell, Senior Marine Offshore Services Technician at P&O Maritime Logistics, evaluated the presented work and awarded prizes for the best presentations and posters.
Eight bursary students received awards for their outstanding work on their presentations and posters:
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Aisling English and Sean McDermott (Fisheries Sampling & Data) – Best Joint Presentation.
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Brennan Harkin (Marine Spatial Planning Data Reporting & Communication) – Best Presentation.
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Paige Kenny (Ecological Monitoring in the Burrishoole) – Best Presentation.
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Katherine Hesse (Improving Green Chemistry in the National Biomonitoring Program) – Best Poster.
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Kate Regan (Ireland’s Ocean Economy) – Best Poster.
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Michelle O’Connor (Ireland’s Ocean Economy) – Best Poster.
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Dylan McGovern (Fish Rearing) – Best Poster.
Best presentation winner Brennan Harkin spoke about his time at the presentation day: “It was amazing to see such a big turnout and receive all the support from the Marine Spatial Planning team here in Oranmore and everyone else around the office. Knowing that the people watching were genuinely interested in what I had to say and were happy to listen made me feel a lot more inspired in my work. The experience not only built up my confidence but also gave me a great memory that will live with me for a long time.”
Best poster winner Kate Regan talked about her experience at the presentation day, saying “Presenting my work to date in front of the staff and my fellow bursars at the Marine Institute was a rewarding experience, and one which will stand to me in my future career. The presentation day was a great way of summarising and sharing the work done at this organisation, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the different departments outside of my own.”
Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, commended all bursars on their work performed and their presenting skills: “The excellent work carried out by the Bursars indicates a bright future for the Marine Institute and the scientific and technical expertise on which we rely. Their time at the Marine Institute has enabled the Bursars to build on the knowledge and experience they’ve gained as undergraduates, and to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.”
Sheena Fennell of P&O Maritime Services also praised the work of the Bursars, saying, “It was a pleasure to contribute to the judging panel during the Marine Institute Bursary Seminar Day 2025. The seminar day showcased the invaluable opportunities that this programme provides for successful students. All the Bursars showed an exceptional level of knowledge and understanding of their projects, and I wish each one of them continued success along their career journey.”
The Marine Institute Bursary Programme enables undergraduate students to develop their networks and gain practical experience. A diverse range of Bursaries provides students the chance to prosper in fields such as environmental chemistry, communications, finance, aquatic surveying, just to select a few.
The application process will open in early 2026 for next year’s Marine Institute Bursary Programme. For enquiries regarding the Bursary Programme, please contact bursarapplications@marine.ie
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For more information, please contact:
Kathleen Sweeney, e. Kathleen.Sweeney@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 094 5754
Sinéad Coyne, e. sinead.coyne@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 947 7090
Communications Office, Marine Institute communications@marine.ie t. +353 (0)91 387 200
About the Marine Institute:
The Marine Institute is Ireland’s scientific agency responsible for supporting the sustainable development of the State’s maritime area and resources. The Institute conducts applied research and provides scientific knowledge, advice and services to government, industry and other stakeholders and users. www.marine.ie