University of Galway celebrates European tech awards for 3 graduates

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Three University of Galway graduates will be awarded for the impact of their start-up companies this week at the MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Europe festival.

The celebration of young European innovators takes place in Gaoth Dobhair in Donegal, on May 11 and 12.

Each of the three Galway-based innovators co-founded medtech and health tech companies having graduated from University of Galway’s landmark BioInnovate programme.

Elle Sander is co-founder and chief executive of Lifelet Medical, a medical device start-up company innovating in heart valve replacement.

Elle Sander

Bárbara Oliveira is co-founder and clinical lead of Luminate Medical. The company’s first product is a novel, pain-free and patient-centred medical device to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy.

Bárbara Oliveira

Brendan Staunton is co-founder and chief executive of Amara Therapeutics, a spin-out which is revolutionising the treatment of pelvic health conditions by delivering digital support to patients’ smartphones.

Brendan Staunton

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said that being nominated for the MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Europe awards is great recognition.

“Elle, Bárbara and Brendan are among our brightest, young researchers and innovators and to see them being heralded among their peers in Europe is testament to University of Galway’s promotion of innovation and our determination to break new ground in research, all the while with a focus on the public good,” he said.

MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Europe is an annual list that recognises outstanding innovators who are younger than 35.

The awards span a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, materials, computer hardware, energy, transportation, communications, and the internet.

Galway Daily