Student wins Young Scientist with cancer diagnosis tool

A Kerry student has won has won the top prize at this year's Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (YSTE) for her brain cancer diagnosis tool.

Aoibheann Daly, a fourth year student from Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk in Tralee, Co Kerry, has been announced as the 2026 winner.

She won for her project "GlioScope" which is designed to help doctors improve the treatment of brain cancer.

The research involves an AI deep-learning model that allows doctors to predict what genetic mutations are likely to be present from an MRI brain scan, reducing the reliance on invasive biopsies.

"Aoibheann has brought together scientific areas of medicine with computer science to improve the chances of early intervention for people with brain cancer," said Professor Catherine Darker, Head Judge for the Health and Wellbeing category.

"She is a worthy winner of the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology 2026."

Eileen O'Mara, Chief Revenue Officer at Stripe, said it was inspiring to see the incredible depth of talent displayed by all the winners.

"Aoibheann has taken a tragic health condition affecting hundreds of Irish families, and applied cutting edge science to move the field forward," said Ms O'Mara.

"It's a stunning piece of work."

The Stripe YSTE trophy was presented to Aoibheann by Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, and Stripe co-founder and former Young Scientist winner Patrick Collison.

In addition to receiving a prize of €7,500, she will go on to represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Kiel in Germany in September 2026.