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The life of Brian under the microscope at Carlow IT for Science Week 2020

12 November 2020

Kilkenny native, Dr. Brian Deegan took centre screen this week as he discussed his pathway to becoming Uisce Éireann’s Ecological & Environmental Assessment Specialist with Science and Engineering staff and students from IT Carlow.

The virtual event was organised by Uisce Éireann in partnership with the Institute of Technology to highlight the opportunities available to students within the utility and to discuss the integral role science plays in producing and treating water and wastewater.

Speaking about the event, Uisce Éireann’s Regional Communications Lead, Richard Ó hEadhra said:

We have a really good relationship with Carlow IT, and it’s great to be able to tell the Engineers and Scientists of tomorrow about the work we do as an organisation. In an ideal world, Brian would physically be on campus chatting to the students in one of their lecture halls, but as we all know, we must adhere to the current Covid-19 restrictions. Thankfully, we can avail of the technology at our disposal and bring these events to life in other ways, so we are delighted to do that.

Dr. Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte is Director of enviroCORE and Lecturer in Biosciences at the IT. She feels passionately about events that allow her students to hear from professionals and what it’s like to working in the areas they are now studying.

I think tonight’s event was really interesting. I have a similar story to Brian. I came from the countryside in Greece to study in Ireland and pursue my career in science. Twenty-five years on, I am lecturing students at the IT and I am passionate about what I do. I think it is really important for my students to see people like Brian who are working in the industry to help them understand they have something to aim for here in Ireland.

Brian believes that science holds the key to many of life’s challenges and urged students never to give up on their hopes and aspirations.

Science has given me so many amazing opportunities in life. I completed my PHD in Adelaide in Australia and began working on a drought project in the Murray Darling basin shortly afterwards, which gave me great experience. I have worked in Europe as well before returning home to eventually start work for Uisce Éireann. It is a great place to work with over 400 projects on the ground. I would encourage all students to be open minded about science. It has opened so many doors for me in terms of networking and the opportunities that arose from that. I would encourage anyone to pursue a career in science.

Visit our website to find out more information on Uisce Éireann’s events for Science Week 2020.