Irish YSTE winner wins major prize at EU science competition

Aoibheann Daly has been recognised by the European Commission for her project and will go on to participate at Regeneron ISEF in 2027.

Irish student and Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (YSTE) winner Aoibheann Daly has won a core prize at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists 2026 (EUCYS).

The ceremony in Kiel, Germany, which was held from 22 to 27 September, saw more than 140 young scientists from 36 European and international guest teams showcase their research across a range of scientific disciplines.

Daly received the Special Jury Award for Youth, which is awarded directly by the European Commission and according to EUCYS, is given in recognition of the delivery of the best scientific projects presented during the contest. 

Her project, GlioScope: Multi-task Deep Learning and Causal AI for Glioma and Glioblastoma Profiling, utilises AI intelligence to enable doctors to diagnose and treat brain cancer. The project aims to improve patient care, deliver significant healthcare benefits and save valuable time. 

Daly will go on to participate as a finalist at Regeneron ISEF 2027 in Los Angeles, California.

Commenting on the win, Daly said, “Receiving a core prize at EUCYS and being selected as a finalist for Regeneron ISEF 2027 is an incredible honour. To represent Ireland on the European stage was already a privilege, and I’m hugely grateful to the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, my teachers, family and everyone who supported me along the way.”

Alison Ahern, the head of Stripe Young Scientist and Education Partnerships, added, “We are incredibly proud to see Aoibheann receive a core prize at EUCYS 2026, and to be selected to participate as a finalist at Regeneron ISEF 2027 in Los Angeles, California. 

“From the moment she presented her project at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, it was clear that her work combined scientific rigour, innovation and real-world impact. To see that recognised on the European stage is a proud moment for Irish science, and reflects the extraordinary standard of young scientific talent in Ireland which we at Stripe are honoured to play a small part in.”

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