Young Trim physicist honoured with Early Career Science Prize
TRIM student Conor Ryan has been awarded the prestigious Early Career Scientist Prize for his work in the area of physics, beating off competition from undergraduate and postgraduate physics students around the world.
Conor, who is a past pupil of Gaelscoil na Bóinne and Boyne Community School, graduated from Trinity College with a first class honours degree in theoretial physics and was also awarded a gold medal before going on to complete a masters in quantum science and technology. He will begin a PhD in Trinity next month.
Conor was presented with the Early Career Scientist Prize by the International Association of Physics Students in recognition of both his academic achievements and what he has been able to accomplish in physics beyond his studies. Among these accomplishments are increasing Ireland's involvement with the global physics community by organising the PLANCKS's theoretical physics competition in Trinity and successfully advocating for Ireland to become a CERN member state. CERN is the European Organisation for Nuclear Research.
He said: "I feel very honoured to have been chosen as the recipient of the Early Career Scientist Prize. It is fantastic not only to be noticed individually for both my academic and extracurricular work in physics, but also that my work is seen as significant and beneficial for both the physics and wider communities it reaches. This prize and everything it signifies is the perfect motivation for me to continue to strive to improve Ireland's physics research standing and its wider physics landscape."
Conor said he has always enjoyed science, particularly physics, and in school had shown a strong aptitude for both science and maths. "However, I didn't spend a lot of time exploring scientific topics outside of schoolwork or interesting documentaries, such as reading popular science books. I think as with most people that have a general interest in the subject, I found topics about space and astrophysics quite accessible and interesting.
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Conor Ryan with a group of students pictured following a Seanad debate about CERN with Minister of State at the Department of Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Niall Collins, Senator Malcolm Byrne, TCD Dean of Research, Professor Sinéad Ryan and Head of TCD School of Maths, Professor Tristan McLoughlin."It wasn't until I was 16 that I considered studying theoretical physics at third level and having a career in the field. Now five years into my studies everything I do revolves around physics and I have taken a particular interest in quantum physics.
Conor says that since beginning his undergraduate degree in theoretical physics, he has always had a research based career in mind.
"After being able to complete several research projects across my undergraduate and master's I have found that I enjoy research as it gives me the opportunity to try and think in ways nobody has before and contribute original ideas to my chosen field of quantum technology.
"Once I have completed my PhD, I hope to enter a career where I can both direct and complete my own research. As my field of research relates to the development of practical technology such as quantum computers and quantum sensors it has gained a lot of interest in the industrial world, in leading global technology companies such as IBM(IBM Quantum Computing) and rapidly growing specialised start-ups such as Algorithmiq(Algorithmiq – Bringing Quantum to Life), as well as in universities. This means it will be possible for me to enter a research career in either an industrial or university environment, both of which I would be open to after completing my PhD."