Biography:
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (pronounced [ˈiːvʲɪn̠ʲ n̠ʲiː ˈhuːl̠ʲəwaːnʲ]) is an Irish academic, teacher, broadcaster, and high-profile science communicator. She was born on October 25, 1983, in Carnacon, near Ballyglass, County Mayo. Raised in a family of teachers, with her father Art being the principal of Carnacon National School and her mother Maire being the vice-principal of a Gaelscoil in Castlebar, Ní Shúilleabháin had a strong educational foundation from a young age.
Growing up in Carnacon, Ní Shúilleabháin was the eldest of six siblings, with five brothers. She credits her interest and success in math and science to the influence of her primary school math teacher and her secondary school science teacher, Mr. McMonagle. Her proficiency in both the English and Irish languages contributed to her continued fluency as a Gaeilgeoir, often thinking partly in Irish as an adult.
Ní Shúilleabháin’s academic journey began when she received an Entrance Scholarship for her outstanding performance in the Leaving Certificate, which allowed her to enter University College Dublin (UCD). During her time at UCD, she also received scholarships from Bord na Gaeilge, including residence in an Irish-speaking hall on campus and the responsibility to organize Irish-language campus events. In addition to her studies, she had the opportunity to work at CERN in Geneva during the summer of 2004.
In 2005, Ní Shúilleabháin graduated from UCD with a first-class honours degree in Theoretical Physics. She then obtained funding for a four-year masters and doctorate in Biological Mathematics at University College London. However, she ultimately switched her plans and pursued secondary teacher education instead. She earned a certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults in 2007 and later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Trinity College Dublin.
From 2008 to 2011, Ní Shúilleabháin worked as a teacher of mathematics, physics, and science at St Mark’s Community School in Tallaght, a DEIS school. She also taught Applied Mathematics to interested students outside of school hours, even though it was not part of the school’s curriculum. During her time at St Mark’s, she actively supported the Department of Education’s Project Maths initiative and was a member of the department’s working group on this innovative approach to teaching and examining secondary school math.
In 2011, Ní Shúilleabháin made the decision to leave teaching and pursue a Ph.D in mathematics education. She received an Ussher Fellowship, which funded her multi-year doctoral studies. Her research focused on improving approaches for science and math teachers, aiming to enhance the teaching and learning experiences in these subjects.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Ní Shúilleabháin is known for her exceptional communication skills, particularly in the field of science. She has become a high-profile science communicator, engaging with the public through various media platforms. She has hosted and presented science programs on Irish television, making complex scientific concepts accessible and interesting to a wide audience.
In 2005, Ní Shúilleabháin achieved another notable accomplishment by winning the Rose of Tralee contest, which propelled her into the international spotlight. Her victory allowed her to tour internationally as the lead singer of an Irish traditional music band, showcasing her talents and promoting Irish culture to a global audience.
In 2022, Ní Shúilleabháin was appointed to chair a national forum on biodiversity loss. She presented the forum’s report to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in April 2023 and subsequently presented on the topic to a committee of the UN General Assembly later that month. This appointment and her involvement in advocating for biodiversity conservation further demonstrate her commitment to public service and raising awareness about pressing environmental issues.
Awards:
– Winner of the Rose of Tralee contest in 2005