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2017 Global Winners

Martha Andrews

University of Dundee
Architecture & Design

Eden Gelgoot

Queen’s University
Art History & Theory

Robert Sarich

Australian National University
Business

Phillip Karpati

University of Sydney
Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Melanie Hechenberger

Monash University
Classical Studies & Archaeology

Dinh Luan Nguyen

University of Science, VNU-HCM
Computer Science

Bridget Murphy

Western University
Earth & Environmental
Sciences

Daniel Cueva

University of Birmingham
Economics

Farhana Choudhury

University of Manchester
Education

Amber Tan

Nanyang Technological University
Engineering

Kathy Liu

Australian National University
Law

Jamie Sugrue

Trinity College Dublin
Life Sciences

Alexandra Brito

University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Language & Linguistics

Noah Fields

Brown University
Literature

Jeremy Lim Zhen Jie

Nanyang Technological University
Mathematics & Physics

Clara Nwe Nwe Linn Oo

Nanyang Technological University
Medical Sciences

Amy Lewis

Western University
Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Healthcare

Tadgh Healy

Trinity College Dublin
Philosophy

Jordan Tilda Skrynka

University of Dundee
Psychology

Sarah McKenna

Queen’s University Belfast
Social Science: Sociology & Social Policy

Alex Longson

University of St Andrews
Social Science: Anthropology & Cultural Studies

Vivienne Molloy

National College of Art and Design
Visual Arts

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Martha Andrews

Architecture & Design
University of Dundee

Winning Paper: Headspace: Creating a Happier Hospital

Martha is a recent graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee in Scotland where she graduated with First Class Honours in Interior & Environmental Design. Martha has a passion for Healthcare Design and the effect of the built environment on the health and wellbeing of individuals – something she wishes to pursue further throughout her career.

Martha’s studies have been interspersed with several periods of travel throughout Europe, Australasia and Asia which have allowed her to gain a much greater understanding of people and cultures. Experiencing first hand the influence that design has on everyday environments and lives worldwide is something that she believes has definitely made her a more empathetic designer.

Eden Gelgoot

Art History & Theory
Queen’s University

Winning Paper: The role of the UNESCO World Heritage List in the commemoration of World War II

Eden recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, where she majored in Life Sciences and minored in Art History. Eden has a broad range of research experiences as a volunteer in a genetics lab, and in a psychology lab where she examined the effectiveness of a video game intervention at reducing anxiety symptoms in adolescents. Eden interned at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she generated content for an arts-based mobile application designed to promote reflection among medical learners on a patient’s experience.

Eden has demonstrated her leadership skills as a member of the Life Sciences Student Council, a Model Parliament delegate, and a Note Taker for the Queen’s Accessibility Services. Eden has worked at a residential summer camp for five years to support cabin group dynamics and mediate conflict. In her free time, Eden loves to play basketball, attend concerts, and travel.

Robert Sarich

Business
Australian National University

Winning Paper: Solving social problems with social marketing – Using a process-driven approach to develop a solution to Australia’s blood shortage

Robert graduated from the Australian National University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Marketing. He is currently working at New South Wales Treasury in the Commissioning and Contestability Unit where he applies his strategic and problem solving skills to improving the delivery of Government services. This is the second time Robert has achieved success in The Undergraduate Awards – in 2016 he was named the Oceania Regional Winner in the Business category for his paper “Full Life Cycle Assessment of ‘Dunhill International’ Cigarettes as produced by British American Tobacco”. The paper has since been published in the ANU Undergraduate Research Journal.

Robert has demonstrated his leadership and passion for service through volunteer positions including serving as an Executive Member of Youth in ACTion for Suicide Prevention, Senior Academic Mentor of the ANU, and tutoring at the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services Centre in Canberra.

Phillip Karpati

Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Sydney

Winning Paper: Selenium-Mediated Peptide Ligations at Proline-Proline Junctions

Phillip is a first year PhD student in Chemistry working in the area of protein synthesis and its applications in developing therapeutics. He has completed a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) where he went on to win the University Medal – awarded by the University Senate, before receiving the prestigious Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship.

In addition to his academic studies, Phillip has been elected onto the Faculty of Science Board at the University of Sydney and spends his leisure time playing tennis, rock climbing and volunteering.

Melanie Hechenberger

Classical Studies & Archaeology
Monash University

Winning Paper: The Origin of Writing in Egypt: Administrative or Ceremonial?

Melanie recently graduated with First Class Honours in Ancient Cultures and is currently an MA candidate in the Centre for Ancient Cultures at Monash University. As an undergraduate, her work has also been previously Highly Commended by UA in 2015 and 2016.

She has also presented her research at the International Conference of Undergraduate Research in 2015 and 2016. Her current research examines the themes within ancient Egyptian biographies from the First Intermediate Period (ca. 2160–2055 BCE) that were inscribed upon walls and stelae within tombs.

Dinh Luan Nguyen

Computer Science
University of Science, VNU-HCM

Winning Paper: Deep Convolutional Neural Network in Deformable Part Models for Face Detection

Luan is a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University, specialising in biometrics and artificial intelligence. In 2016, he graduated with first class honours degree in Computer Science at University of Science, VNU-HCM. Luan had outstanding academic results, receiving multiple awards at several academic international conferences such as the Top 10% Paper Award, Best Poster Award, and Best Presentation Award.

Furthermore, Luan also had opportunities to participate in research internships at multiple universities/institutes around the world during his undergraduate years such as the Université de Montréal, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, the Tohoku University and the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. He received the “Golden Globe Award” for Outstanding Youths in ICT and the “Honda Y-E-S Award” for Young Engineers and Scientist in Vietnam. Luan wants to incorporate his academic research into real life applications to improve the lives of people.

Bridget Murphy

Earth & Environmental Sciences
Western University

Winning Paper: Future Climate Conditions Alter Leaf Thermotolerance in Canadian Boreal Trees

Bridget is in the first year of her masters program at Western University studying plant physiology, specifically the link between heat stress and tree mortality in future climate conditions. She has received numerous academic awards, including the Florence Bucke Graduate Scholarship and an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award.

In addition to academic pursuits, Bridget fulfils her love of philanthropy through volunteer work at the local library. Her leadership skills have been honed over the years through club involvement, as VP events of the Operation Smile Club at Western University and in the Romero Social Justice Club at her high school. Her academic interests extend beyond science and delve into English literature, modern art, and Greek mythology. Her life has been shaped by her unique experiences, from working as a nanny to playing rugby for four years, and hopefully that shines through in her work.

Daniel Cueva

Economics
University of Birmingham

Winning Paper: An Econometric Analysis of the Fundamental Determinants of Economic Development in Latin America

Daniel is a citizen of the United States, Ecuador and Chile. He graduated from the University of Birmingham with a First Class Honours degree in Economics, and is currently an Intern at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization under the supervision of Dr. Shyam Upadhyaya, the Chief Statistician.

Daniel’s research on economic development in Latin America was awarded a distinction by the Department of Economics at the University of Birmingham and was among the five finalists at the UK Data Service’s Dissertation Prize 2017. Daniel expects to pursue postgraduate studies and research in Economics in Fall 2018. Besides his academic studies, he underwent training in project management and data analysis for effective public policy by the Inter-American Development Bank, and training in global macroeconomics and investment bank trading at Amplify Trading. He has lived in four different countries, often participates in voluntary projects, and enjoys travelling, practising sports and playing the guitar.

Farhana Choudhury

Education

University of Manchester

Winning Paper: A discussion of literacy as a vehicle which enables women from urban Afghanistan and rural Nepal to overcome societal challenges and participate in society

Farhana is a graduate in BA (Hons) English Language for Education and is a current student in MEd Psychology of Education at the University of Manchester.

She is a mentor at Mosaic which is an organisation which aims to raise the educational aspirations of students from socially deprived areas. She is an active member of the University of Manchester Islamic Society and is also the Head of College Islamic Societies under the Federation of Student Islamic Societies which aims to serve the needs of Muslim students across the UK. Farhana is a volunteer with various charities across the UK and regularly fundraises on behalf of them. Her most recent fundraising appeal was on behalf of Islamic Help where she raised money for necessities such as food and shelter for the people of Rohingya. Farhana aims to pursue a PhD in Education researching the area of academic attainment and disadvantaged children.

Amber Tan

Engineering

Nanyang Technological University

Winning Paper: Investigating the Effects of Toothed Edges and Large Openings on the Seismic Behaviour of Confined Masonry Walls

Amber is a final year student in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, studying BSc Engineering Science (Civil Engineering) and MSc Technology Management under the Renaissance Engineering Program.

Amber is passionate about using the skills she learns in school to help others, and currently leads a group of engineering students seeking to use technological & entrepreneurial skills to empower underprivileged communities in Cambodia. She also hopes to be able to act as a link between people from different backgrounds & different cultures, to promote empathy, understanding and collaboration. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors – playing sports, travelling, camping and hiking.

Kathy Liu

Law

Australian National University

Winning Paper: Moral Emotions and Restorative Justice: A Legal-Psychological Analysis of the Role of Shame and Guilt in the Restorative Justice Process in Offender Rehabilitation


Kathy recently graduated from the Australian National University with a combined Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours. She has developed a strong interest in carrying out interdisciplinary research and integrating knowledge from both her background in psychology and in law. An example of this focus can be found in her winning submission – this formed the basis for her law thesis, which went on to achieve the second highest mark in her honours cohort.

Outside of her studies, Kathy enjoys volunteering with community legal centres and learning about different cultures and customs through her travels. Currently, she is undertaking a legal internship with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and hopes to continue working in the area of international law.

Jamie Sugrue

Life Sciences

Trinity College Dublin

Winning Paper: NLRP3 inflammasome activation alters the metabolic profile of macrophages.

Jamie recently graduated from Trinity College, The University of Dublin with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Human Health Disease. He has just begun his PhD studies with the Comparative Immunology Group at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Insitute. During his undergraduate degree, Jamie carried out research projects at both The University of Oxford and the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience.

His PhD project is focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which some people are resistant to viral infection. Jamie is extremely passionate about science communication, having previously served as the Science and Research Correspondent with The University Times. He is also a Reid Scholar at Trinity. D’fhás Jamie suas i gceantar Gaeltachta agus mar sin tá grá mór aige don teanga.

Alexandra Brito

Languages & Linguistics
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Winning Paper: Effects of Language Immersion versus Classroom Exposure on Advanced French Learners: An ERP Study

Alex Brito is from Nashville, Tennessee and recently graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2017. During her time at UT, she studied neuroscience, neurolinguistics, and French through the College Scholars Program under the mentorship of Dr. Harriet Bowden. In her first year at UT, she began researching in the Language Acquisition and Cognition Lab within Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures.

Fascinated by the brain’s ability to acquire new languages, she has collaborated on projects looking at how different language learning environments impact second language processing using electroencephalography (EEG). Currently living in Durham, North Carolina, Alex is a Clinical Trials Specialist in Duke University’s Psychiatry Department. She plans to attend medical school next year in hopes of becoming a neurologist.

Noah Fields

Literature
Brown University

Winning Paper: Men Reading Jane Austen: Close Writing Across Gender Scripts

Noah Fields is a writer and musician currently based in Chicago. They completed their Bachelor of Arts from Brown University in Literary Arts and Gender & Sexuality Studies.

Previous awards and fellowships include Cogut Fellow, Steinhaus/Zisson Pembroke Center Fellow, Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards, and a Brown Creative Arts Council Student Grant. Their writing has been published in Anomaly, Drunken Boat, Chelsea Station, bluestockings, Aldus, the Brown Classics Journal, and Works Etc, among others.

Jeremy Lim Zhen Jie

Mathematics and Physics
Nanyang Technological University

Winning Paper: Relativistic Attosecond Electron Pulse Train Production for Ultrafast Electron Imaging

Jeremy is a final year undergraduate reading Honors Physics at Nanyang Technological University under sponsorship from the Agency of Science,Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore, and has consistently been placed within the top 5% of his cohort throughout the duration of his studies.

Upon graduation, he intends to pursue his PhD in Physics within Europe. His current research interests are accelerator science and quantum optics, and he hopes to explore new fields while undertaking post-graduate studies. In his downtime, Jeremy loves to play the guitar or go for a run.

Clara Nwe Nwe Linn Oo

Medical Sciences
Nanyang Technological University

Winning Paper: Bone Marrow on-a-chip for one-step recruitment and expansion of leukaemia stem cells.

Clara is currently pursuing her MD at Duke-NUS Medical School after she graduated from NTU with a Bachelor of Engineering Science (Bioengineering) and a Masters of Science (Technology Management) under the Renaissance Engineering Program. She has a keen interest in translational research and medical technologies and hopes to venture into clinician innovator track in future.

Amy Lewis

Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Healthcare

Western University

Winning Paper: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Initiatives for Inuit Youth in Canada

Amy Lewis is a recent graduate of the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Program at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, and is now in the first year of the Master of Science in Nursing Program. Amy is commended for her academic achievements during her undergraduate studies, receiving the Arthur Labatt Family Graduate Scholarship in Nursing, and the Dr. Edith M. McDowell Award for highest average entering master’s level nursing studies.

Her passions include research, education, and political advocacy, which flourished during her experience as a research assistant for the Mental Health Nursing Research Alliance at Lawson Health Research Institute in London. She is also focusing on a leadership role as the Co-President of ASPIRE, the Alliance of Students Providing Interprofessional Resources and Education, to integrate a student-led clinic in London, Ontario that provides health promotion, education, and primary care services in the community.

Tadgh Healy

Philosophy
Trinity College Dublin

Winning Paper: A Place for Forgiveness in Reconciliation

Tadgh is a final year undergraduate student of English Literature and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin. In his third year he studied at the University of California, San Diego, where he was lucky to take classes with a number of brilliant professors, including Rae Armantrout and Dana Nelkin who introduced him to the philosophy of forgiveness – the topic of his commended essay.

He wishes to extend his gratitude to them, and to the Undergraduate Awards for their recognition. Tadgh still finds philosophy difficult, so intends to study it some more as a postgraduate.

Jordan Tilda Skrynka

Psychology

University of Dundee

Winning Paper: Hungry and Impulsive: Does blood glucose predict impulsivity for future rewards in a fasted state?

Jordan studied Psychology M.A.(Hons) at the University of Dundee, and graduated with the Reg Laville Memorial Prize for outstanding merit. She presented her research on Decision Making and Impulsivity at the British Psychological Society conference, and was awarded as best in field. Jordan is interested in how psychological biases influence decision making. She aims to implement this insight in the wider world to facilitate better choices.

On an exchange year at the University of South Carolina, U.S.A, Jordan explored studies in Visual communications alongside Psychology. Additionally, Jordan attained a Gold award for business enterprise, and secured a number of internships: with Scottish Enterprise, AkzoNobel and ECHO Brand Design. During University she demonstrated leadership, and enjoyed being on the University Netball and Surf club committees. After graduating, Jordan spent a year traveling through Asia and hitchhiking around Australia, before commencing on the Future Leaders Programme with Reckitt Benckiser in September 2017.

Sarah McKenna

Social Science: Sociology & Social Policy

Queen’s University Belfast

Winning Paper: A Shifting Lens: How intersectionality facilitates an understanding of the dynamics and structures of inequality in contemporary society.

Sarah has begun the final year of her degree in Sociology at Queen’s University, Belfast. She is a mature student with 3 children in their twenties. It was whilst taking an Access Diploma at Northern Regional College that she discovered that the Social Sciences spoke her language, and posed the questions she had been asking. Her passion for the field is illustrated by her academic results.

She was awarded two scholarships for outstanding achievement in her first year, and an Athena Swan award for work on gender and gerontology in her second year. She is particularly interested in the sociological outcomes of demographically-driven social policy, and the links between sociology, social policy, politics and economics (both practically and academically). She strongly believes that mature students have much to offer both tertiary studies and research, and plans to undertake post-graduate study. She intends to be working into her nineties!

Alex Longson

Social Science: Anthropology & Cultural Studies

University of St Andrews

Winning Paper: Cinematic representations of Scottish national identity: Sunshine on Leith (2013), a case study 

Alex Longson is a recent graduate from the School of Geography at University of St Andrews. The son of a Korean-Hawaiian mother and British-Pakistani father, Alex’s research draws upon his own experiences surrounding the roles of ethnicity and nationality in identity formation.

His Global Award winning paper explores how contemporary work within New Scottish Cinema produces notions of national identity that are constructed, contested and diverse. Alex now spends most of his time working at his food & beverage start-up in St Andrews.

Vivienne Molloy

Visual Arts

National College of Art and Design

Winning Paper: Mourning the Bees

Vivienne Molloy is an emerging Textile Artist and a Graduand, BA (Hons) in Textiles (Art and Artefact) from NCAD, Dublin. Her collection, ‘Mourning the Bees’ aims to promote the value of bees and the risks facing the species. Vivienne’s ambition is to pursue a career in Costume Design for Stage and Screen.