Laois student wins prize at BT Young Scientist show
Prize winner Joshua Corbett from Portlaoise CBS with his teacher Emily Barrett at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition
A LAOIS student won second prize at the 2025 BT Young Scientist Exhibition, with a remarkable project that could help develop treatment for an aggressive cancer.
Fifth year student Joshua Corbett from Portlaoise CBS came second in the senior technology individual category at the competition in the RDS, where his work received high praise from judges.
The Vicarstown teenager was accompanied by his proud teacher Emily Barrett when he was presented with his award at the event on Friday.
A past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally, Joshua hopes his work will assist researchers in developing treatment for Glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the brain and spinal cord.
His project titled ‘Breaking Barriers: Revolutionising the Treatment of Brain Diseases’ focused on the development of a novel nano-QSAR model to predict drug delivery of nanoparticles to the brain. The project involved months of meticulous work and research, which greatly impressed experts at the exhibition.
Congratulating him on his success, St Mary's CBS Portlaoise said: ‘We are so proud of Joshua Corbett, fifth year student. He won second in the senior technology individual category, an incredibly competitive category. His research developed a model to predict the drug delivery of nanoparticles to the brain, which will aid in treating neurological diseases. Well done, Josh!'
Laois had two other finalists in the renowned competition, as Heywood Community School was represented by Ilana Holohan and Portlaoise College by Seán Cheah, both in the social and behavioural sciences category.
