Strong support committed to Tess Lambe Bursary

Even before its launch last night, there has been enough support committed for the new Tess Lambe Bursary Fund to enable it for two years, writes Brian Byrne.

This was revealed by Noel Clare at the well-attended event in Kilcullen Heritage Centre. Funding for the bursaries — intended for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level — has already been pledged by individuals, the Kilcullen Lions Club, the Board of Management of Cross & Passion College, the Sisters of the Cross & Passion, and others.

The launch included video messages from Deirdre Smith, Global Vice President of Technology Innovation at Kerry Group in Naas; Professor Luke O'Neill; and Gary Duffy, formerly from Kilcullen and a CPC student and now a Professor in the School of Medicine at UCG.

Professor Teresa Lambe from The Jennings Institute at Oxford University, a key member of the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19, was the special guest of the night via Zoom. Her parents, Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, were also present.

Rachel Creighton, Jessie Clifford Broughall, and Rachel O'Sullivan.

In the course of the evening, former CPC students Rachel O'Sullivan and Jessie Clifford Broughall described how they had become interested in science and gone on to study in the field, and Zoologist Rachel Creighton spoke about her experiences working with Dublin Zoo.

Opening last night's proceedings, Ray Kelly said the idea of providing an educational bursary came about because 'the achievements of one of our own should be recognised'. "We all know Tess Lambe's work on the AstraZeneca vaccine, but her work on other vaccines has also led to thousands, even millions of lives being saved." He said the other reason for the bursary is to encourage more girls to go into the sciences. "And we have in Kilcullen excellent role models to encourage that."

In her message, Kerry Group's Deirdre Smith said Professor Teresa Lambe's story is 'absolutely inspirational'. She said that all CEOs are passionate about recruiting more young women into a science career. "I have had a wonderful career myself, and loved every bit of the journey. It is the thing about science, you are always learning something new."

Professor Luke O'Neill noted that Tess Lambe had been a key scientist in the development of 'a very important vaccine'. He said the provision of a bursary was an excellent way to acknowledge that, and he wished well to all the students who would be receiving the support.

Professor Gary Duffy extended his congratulations to Tess Lambe, and said the idea to provide a bursary in her name for CPC is 'fantastic'. Noting the impact which her work has had on the world, he said all those in science can hope that their own work and research can have a similar impact over time.

On the Zoom link from Oxford, Professor Lambe she was 'honoured, humbled, surprised and shocked' that the bursary was being organised in her name. "It's not something I ever expected. Kilcullen is my home, it's where I grew up, it's a huge part of my heart, so thank you again." Recalling her own time in CPC, she extended a heartfelt thanks to Noel Clare for 'putting up with my never-ending questions in Biology class'. "You had the patience of a saint, though I know there were one or two occasions when you avoided my hand up in class." Amid laughter, Noel stoutly denied that.

She said her subsequent career path was also based on 'always asking questions, I've always been inquisitive', and she is looking forward very much to meeting the student recipients of the bursary and showing them the work in Oxford. Her advice to young people starting out is to 'follow the things that you love' whatever the ups and downs. "You're going to mess up, you're going to fall down, make sure you're able to pick yourself up — and that's where it's so important to have family and friends around you to help you along."

During the conversation, Tess spoke about the work involved in developing the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, noting that much of the research had already been done in the study of previous coronaviruses. She emphasised that no corners had been cut in safety terms in getting the vaccine developed in a very short time, the only difference was that 'a big financial risk' had been taken so that a successful vaccine could be quickly provided.

After that segment, PhD student in Organic Chemistry Rachel O'Sullivan spoke about her interest in science being triggered back as far as her primary school days. "I remember doing experiments watching things blow up, and that was exciting. Then in secondary school I had a wonderful science teacher, Eleanor Higgins, who was incredibly inspiring, and Jude Harkin for Chemistry, also an incredibly inspiring teacher." She added that it is so important to have role models like Teresa Lambe for women to look up to and say, 'yes, I think I want to be like that'."

Rachel Creighton recalled that growing up on her parents farm — she's the daughter of Barney and Dorly O'Sullivan — she had a great interest in natural life. "I wanted to know why animals behave like they do, and how eco-systems work, or crash." After working in TCD where she graduated, she 'kind of fell into — I needed a job' working at Dublin Zoo where she initially became an assistant elephant keeper. "The great thing about Dublin Zoo is that they are very progressive in wanting to create ways to enhance the animals' natural behaviour," she said, and while working at the Zoo hadn't been where she thought she would be in her career, she loved it. Rachel has now returned with her husband to help work the family farm.

For Jessie Clifford Broughall, the inspiration of her CPC science teachers was also a key motivation to go on in science. Recently graduated with First Class Honours in Microbiology from TUS Athlone, she is now working with a start-up veterinary bio-pharmaceutical company in Tullamore, Zoetis, as a Quality Assurance Specialist. "From early on, Biology was where it was for me, and Eleanor Higgins was so passionate about microbiology, it became something I was very interested in." The shift to QA is a reflection of her interest in science in industry.

Closing the event by announcing the formal launch of the Tess Lambe Bursary, Noel Clare said it was aimed at 'science subjects in the broadest sense' of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). "Our initial thought was to do it for one year, and if the money came in we can continue it. I'm very glad to say that the response means we can already do it for two years. And in presenting this bursary, we are also honouring all the front-line workers who have helped us through this covid crisis."   

He encouraged those present to think about donating through the Kildare Credit Union account set up in the Kilcullen branch, and to spread the word. Account details: Tess Lambe Bursary Fund; IBAN: IE02KIRI99217910400892.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy