Here, the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year Aoibheann Daly looks back on her win, and has some advice for students working towards the 2027 event.
But first, a quick reminder that the Student Application Deadline is 25 September 2026 at 5pm, and the Teacher Assessment Deadline is 28 September at 5pm.
From refining her initial research concept to stepping onto the RDS stage, Aoibheann shares what the Stripe YSTE journey was really like, along with her top tips for the next generation of innovators.
1. Facing the judges can feel daunting for first-time entries. What was your strategy for communicating your work clearly and confidently to the judging panel?
I found that the best approach was just to take each point the judges brought up one at a time and work through it with them. Rather than worrying about trying to give the 'perfect' answer, I focused on listening carefully to what they were asking and explaining my reasoning as clearly as I could. I also spent a lot of time reading scientific papers and looking at how researchers structure and communicate their work.
With a project involving machine learning, I tried to focus on the actual problem I was trying to solve and explain the technical side only when it was useful. And honestly, I think practising explaining your project to people who know absolutely nothing about it is one of the best things you can do. If you can explain it clearly to them, you're much more prepared for judging.
2. How has winning Stripe YSTE 2026 impacted your post-school plans or your perspective on a future career in STEM? Winning has definitely broadened my idea of what I could do in STEM.
Before Stripe YSTE, I knew I was interested in science and medicine, but I hadn't really appreciated how many different areas you can combine. Since winning, I've had opportunities to explore areas including medicine, AI, materials science and medical technology.
This summer I've also been part of the Patch programme, where I've been working with a team to develop BLOOM, a device for the early detection of postpartum haemorrhage. I don't think I have one specific career mapped out yet, but that's actually something I like. I'm much more interested now in exploring where the combination of science, technology and medicine can take me.
Image: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography
3. What is the single best piece of advice you would give to students currently preparing their projects for Stripe YSTE 2027?
My biggest piece of advice would be to choose a problem that you genuinely care about. You are going to spend a huge amount of time thinking about your project, so if you're actually curious about the problem, the work becomes much more enjoyable, and you're much more likely to keep going when things don't work.
I'd also say don't be afraid to start with a really simple idea. My project changed a lot from the original question I had in the first year, and that's completely normal. You don't need to have the finished project figured out on day one. Start with something you're curious about, ask questions, test things, and let the research develop from there.
And finally, don't be afraid to enter. I actually entered the exhibition in first year with a recycling project and didn't get in. That didn't stop me from coming back to it later and eventually winning. So a project not working out the first time doesn't mean you should give up on it.
Click here for the Teacher's Guide on RTÉ Learn - how to enter.
For more information on the Stripe YSTE, visit stripeyste.com.
