Donal Lynch

What is your current job / programme of study? 

Research Fellow working with local small-medium enterprises with new product development 

What A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do? 

The Irish Leaving Cert is judged on your 6 best subjects. Mine were Maths, Applied Maths, Physics, Technical Drawing, Accounting (As) and English (B). I also studied French (D) and Irish (ordinary level B). 

Why did you choose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)? 

I love MSE. It’s everywhere. It’s a part of everything. With the work, I like that at the heart of it is problem solving.    

What did you enjoy most about your MSE course? 

Design projects and a course at UCD called Roborugby. 

What is your research about?  

I have worked with creating new materials for additive manufacturing and using 3D printers for prototyping and net shape manufacturing. 

What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?  

Seeing things I’ve created being used in the real world.  

What do you see yourself doing in the future? 

In the future I will work in R&D in industry.  

What is your favourite material (and why)?  

Water is pretty magical, though from an engineering sense Bamboo is quite interesting. Also custard. 

What advice would you give your 16 year old self? 

I’m not sure a 16 year old me would listen but my advice would have been to look to Uni as a chance to live somewhere fun.