BOARD MEMBERS

Declan Cahalane

Declan Cahalane is Assistant Chief Inspector in the Department of Education and Youth, with responsibility for oversight of evaluation and advisory activity across early learning and care settings, schools, special schools, and centres for education in the South East. He joined the Inspectorate in 2002, having previously served as National Co‑ordinator of the Chemistry Support Service and as a teacher of chemistry and science in Cork.

Declan graduated from University College Cork in 1984 with a BSc and Higher Diploma in Education, and later completed an MSc in Science Education. His career reflects a strong commitment to advancing teaching standards and supporting the development of science education nationally.

Professor John Corish

John Corish was formerly Professor of Physical Chemistry (now retired) in Trinity College Dublin and is an emeritus Fellow of the College. He has been Head of the School of Chemistry, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Bursar, and Dean of Research of the College. His research interests lay in theoretical atomistic simulations and experimental measurements of matter transport in solid materials, especially in ionic and fast ionic conductors and in transdermal drug delivery. He is a co-inventor of the first commercial transdermal patch to deliver nicotine as replacement therapy to aid smoking cessation.

Professor Corish has judged the YSTE since 1975. A member of the Royal Irish Academy since 1986 and has served as Vice-President (1999), International Secretary (2007/8) and Treasurer (2008/13). He was Treasurer of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2008/16), Chair of its Finance Committee (2016/24) and President of its Inorganic Division (1997/2001). He chaired the International Scientific Jury of the PhosAgro/UNESCO/IUPAC partnership in Green Chemistry for Life from 2014 to 2024.  He is a Past- President of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland and of Dublin University Football Club.

Professor Pat Guiry

Professor Pat Guiry is Chair of the Board of the Young Scientist & Technology Ltd. (2018–present), providing strategic oversight to Ireland’s leading STEM initiative. He is Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at University College Dublin and Director of the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology.

Pat has supervised 70 PhD graduates and worked with 25 postdoctoral fellows, while serving in leadership roles including President of the Royal Irish Academy (2023–26). A long‑standing judge at the Young Scientist Exhibition since 1998, he has shaped its standards of excellence and mentorship, alongside presidencies of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland and the European Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry.

Therese Gunning

Therese Gunning is an experienced commercial lawyer specialising in the telecommunications sector. Formerly Head of Legal for BT Group in Ireland, she has built her career providing practical and commercial legal advice to multinational companies in corporate law, commercial law, and risk management.

A qualified solicitor since 2006, Therese holds a BCL and LLM in Commercial Law from University College Dublin. She has served on the Board of Directors of YSTE since 2021, contributing her expertise in governance and compliance.

Paul Healy

Paul Healy is a partner at Futurus, an organisational development consultancy delivering strategic transformation across workforce strategy, leadership development, and organisational performance. Futurus operates across government, financial services, pharma, med‑tech, education, and technology.

Paul previously served as Chief Executive of Skillnet Ireland, growing it into a €100 million organisation supporting 23,000 companies annually. He has held leadership roles at Bank of Ireland and Irish Life Group, and has served on national and European boards including the National Skills Council and the European Commission Skills for Industry Board.

Colm O’Neill

Colm O’Neill is a Partner at KPMG, serving as Global Head of Power & Utilities and Head of Consulting. He advises senior executives on major transformation programmes, strategic growth initiatives, and M&A decisions, with a focus on the intersection of energy, technology, and innovation.

Previously CEO of BT Ireland, Colm has held senior leadership roles across the technology and communications sectors. He is a graduate of University College Dublin with a BSc degree, and brings extensive experience in guiding organisations through complex change.

Dr Vincent O’Neill

Dr Vincent O’Neill is a medical doctor and former diplomat who worked in the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 28 years, serving overseas in Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, and Jordan. As Ireland’s Ambassador to Kenya (2014–19), he worked with local leaders to establish the Young Scientist Kenya programme, launched in 2018.

Later, as Ireland’s first resident Ambassador in Jordan (2019–22), he helped establish the Jordan Young Scientists programme (JoYS), launched in 2022. Following his retirement in 2023, Vincent joined the Board of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Ireland, where he continues to strengthen international linkages between Young Scientist programmes.

Dr Tony Scott

Dr Tony Scott is an Irish physicist and science communicator, best known as co‑founder of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Inspired by US science fairs, he and Rev. Dr Tom Burke launched the first exhibition in 1965, which has since grown into Europe’s longest‑running STEM showcase.

Beyond education, Tony contributed to practical innovation as part of the team that developed the ionisation smoke alarm, a device that has saved countless lives worldwide. His career has been recognised with honours including the Institute of Physics Kelvin Medal, the People of the Year Award, and he has received honorary degrees from Universities in Ireland.

Julie Sinnamon

Julie Sinnamon is former CEO of Enterprise Ireland, where she led the organisation through a period of significant growth and international expansion. Over a 30‑year career in Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, she held a range of senior public sector positions.

Julie is Chair of European Movement Ireland and APC Ltd, and serves on several boards including Cairn Homes plc, PWC Ireland Public Interest Body, Insurance Ireland, and The Agricultural Trust. She also chairs the Implementation Oversight Group for the Commission on the Defence Forces and is a member of the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces.

Shay Walsh

Shay Walsh is a senior executive with over three decades in technology, telecoms, and infrastructure. He has held leadership roles including Managing Director of BT Ireland and Chief Commercial Officer at BT Enterprise, driving strategy and transformation across regulated markets.

He is recognised for his authentic leadership style, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and embedding sustainability and governance frameworks. Shay has extensive board experience, serving as Chairman of BT Communications Ireland Ltd, a member of DCU’s Governing Authority, and Chair of its EDI sub‑committee. He also sits on the Board of the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation, and serves as Company Secretary for the Board.

The Executive Team

Supporting the Board is a full‑time Executive Team responsible for day‑to‑day management. They implement the Board’s strategic vision and ensure operational excellence across all activities.

Operationally, the team oversees all entries and judging processes, ensuring fairness, transparency, and the highest standards of evaluation. They guide the Board’s transition activities and lead the operational relationship with Stripe, YSTE’s title sponsor, ensuring that this partnership strengthens the exhibition’s long‑term sustainability and impact.

In addition, the Executive Team represents Ireland internationally, serving as National Organiser at the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) and Fair Director for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Through these roles, they ensure Ireland’s young scientists are recognised on the global stage.

The Executive is made up of: