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School of Natural Sciences News

18th July 2025

Whale Conservation Survey Jane Hurley, an MSc student, Gesche Kinderman and John Murray collaborated on a survey about marine conservation attitudes in Ireland. They visited the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group in Kilrush, interviewed their Science Officer, and created two short films to share their findings. One film uses cultural storytelling to highlight the importance of marine conservation. Watch Film 1: Is visually experimental and uses cultural storytelling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8v6_tBHoxA Watch Film 2: Scientific/factual: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDyHk2B5Zdg&t=7s

Image of a Whale Leaping out of the water in County Clare

Past Stories

Carran Visit

School of Natural Science students and staff met with Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, at Carran in the Burren on Monday 30th June 2025.

Pictured (Left to Right): Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, and Dr Tiernan Henry, Lecturer in Environmental Geology (Earth & Ocean Sciences).

Minister_O'Sullivan_Tiernan Henry_The_Burren_30June2025

Combating Air Pollution: 27th June 2025

Researchers from the University, including Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Dr Liz Coleman, and Dr Miriam Byrne (School of Natural Sciences), will lead the cross-border Peace-Air project, which received €6.4 million to combat air pollution in Ireland through research, community outreach, and policy development. More from RTÉ News, Breakingnews.ie and Irish Examiner.

Red Squirrel Comeback - Dr Emily Reilly (School of Natural Sciences) joined Newstalk’s Moncrieff to discuss new research showing that Ireland’s native red squirrels are making a comeback, due to their ability to detect and respond to their natural predator, the pine marten.

Planet Formation - Christian Ginski (School of Natural Sciences) explains how new planets form with Newstalk’s Futureproof. Dr Ginski was part of an international team that recently identified a likely site of a forming gas giant planet, several times the mass of Jupiter.

Red squirrel resilience: 20th June 2025

Ireland’s native red squirrels can detect and respond to the returning pine marten, boosting their chances of survival, according to a new study by Dr Emily Reilly and Dr Colin Lawton (School of Natural Sciences). The research helps explain the resilience of red squirrels compared to the sharp decline of invasive grey squirrels. More from RTÉ News, The Telegraph, Nuacht TG4 @18.10, Radio 1’s Drivetime @2.04.31 , BBC Radio 4 PM @54.45, BBC Radio Good Morning Ulster @ 51.47, Irish Independent and Agriland.ie.

Storm Éowyn:

Dr Darius Ceburnis, a research fellow at University of Galway, discusses the record-breaking wind speed recorded at Mace Head atmospheric research station during Storm Éowyn on Friday 24th January 2025 on Radio 1’s The Claire Byrne Show @10.37

Red squirrel:

Dr Colin Lawton (School of Natural Sciences) joined RTÉ’s Today (Tuesday 28th January 2025 @58.24) to discuss the resurgence of the red squirrel in Ireland, and its relationship with grey squirrels and pine martens.

Zombie Spiders:

Scientists have found fungus-infected “zombie spiders” in Ireland. The fungus, named Gibellula attenboroughii, manipulates the behaviour of cave spiders, forcing them out of their lairs before ultimately killing them. This phenomenon was first observed in the Whitefathers’ Caves on the Fermanagh/Cavan border and has since been found in other cave systems across the island. Zoologist at the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway Doctor Michel Dugon told Moncrieff on Friday 31st January 2025 that this fungus is a part of a fungi family that often take control of bugs read more here https://www.newstalk.com/news/fungus-infected-zombie-spiders-found-in-ireland-2132362

Research Ally Award –Congratulations Miriam

The School of Natural Sciences is delighted to announce that Dr. Miriam Byrne from the Physics has been awarded a Taighde Éireann Research Ally Award as part of the IRC Legacy Awards. This honour recognizes her outstanding support and mentorship to researchers at all career levels, highlighting her significant contributions to the academic research community. Dr. Byrne’s dedication and positive influence have been instrumental in fostering a supportive research environment, making her a highly respected and valued member of the School. Congratulations to Dr. Byrne on this well-deserved recognition! Researcher of the Year 2024 (IRC legacy) Awards - Research Ireland

New year, new discoveries! 🎉  Postdoctoral researcher Richard Lalor from the Molecular Parasitology Lab explores how peptides derived from Fasciola hepatica, a parasitic worm, could offer a groundbreaking biotherapeutic approach to treating sepsis.
Learn more about this exciting research from the Molecular Parasitology Lab! 👇
https://lnkd.in/eeDSe-JP
Taighde Éireann Research Ireland funded this research. 🌟