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ATU students to present research at European Parliament in Brussels
Two students from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will present their research at the European Parliament in Brussels this November, as part of an international initiative showcasing undergraduate research from across Europe.
Caoimhe Cummins, from Peterswell, Gort, Co. Galway, and Mark Roe, from Claregalway, Co. Galway, will represent ATU at the Posters in the European Parliament event on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
The event will bring together undergraduate researchers from 17 European countries to present their research posters to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), policy professionals, academics and fellow students, highlighting the contribution of undergraduate research to addressing societal challenges and informing public policy.
Caoimhe has completed her BSc (Honours) in Medical Science at ATU and is due to graduate on 17 November. Her research, titled Closing the Gaps in HPV Cancer Prevention: What Irish Students’ Experiences Reveal About Vaccination, Trust and Access, examines HPV vaccination awareness and uptake among university students.
Her study surveyed first- and second-year students across ATU’s four Galway campuses, exploring factors influencing vaccination decisions and identifying opportunities to improve access to reliable information about HPV vaccination and cancer prevention.
Dr Leisha McGrath, Lecturer in Medical Science at ATU Galway and one of Caoimhe’s research supervisors, said:
“Caoimhe’s research highlights the importance of understanding people’s awareness of HPV vaccination and how education could help improve vaccine uptake. One of the key areas identified is the role of parents in vaccination decisions. The findings could help inform future educational campaigns aimed at improving awareness of HPV vaccination and its importance in cancer prevention.”
Mark is a graduate of the BSc (Honours) in Physics and Instrumentation programme at ATU. His research explores the technology required to directly image Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars. Using computer simulations, he investigated the capabilities of the Extremely Large Telescope and its planned MICADO instrument, identifying challenges that future telescope technology will need to overcome.
Mark’s research was supervised by Dr Fiona Kenny and Dr Gary Kenny at ATU, and Dr Christian Ginski at the University of Galway.
Dr Gary Kenny, Lecturer in Physics and Instrumentation at ATU, said:
“Showcasing undergraduate research from ATU Galway at the European Parliament is a fantastic achievement and an important opportunity to bring the work of our Physics and Instrumentation students to a European audience. Mark is the first student from ATU Galway’s Physics and Instrumentation programme to achieve this level of recognition.”
The Brussels exhibition forms part of Posters in Brussels, an Erasmus+ funded European project which aims to strengthen connections between undergraduate researchers and political decision-makers. ATU is one of five European university partners involved in the initiative, alongside universities in Germany, Austria, Lithuania and Luxembourg.
Dr Therese Montgomery, ATU Lecturer, Chair of the Irish Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Network and Irish lead for the Posters in Brussels project, said:
This initiative provides an important platform for undergraduate students and their research supervisors to communicate their research directly to European policymakers. It demonstrates the quality and relevance of research being undertaken by students and staff, creating opportunities for young researchers to engage with the wider societal and policy implications of their work. We are delighted to see Caoimhe and Mark representing ATU at this European event.
Photo captions:
- ATU Physics and Instrumentation graduate Mark Roe from Claregalway, Co. Galway.
- ATU Medical Science graduand Caoimhe Cummins from Peterswell, Gort, Co. Galway.
- Caoimhe Cummins with her research supervisor, Dr Leisha McGrath, Lecturer in Medical Science at ATU Galway.
- Mark Roe with his ATU research supervisors, Dr Gary Kenny and Dr Fiona Kenny, Lecturers in Physics and Instrumentation at ATU Galway.
For media enquiries, contact:
Catherine Howley
Digital Communications Officer
Tel: 089 219 0501
E: catherine.howley@atu.ie
