Each year, 36 students are awarded Naughton Scholarships. There is at least one winner from each County in the Republic of Ireland. The scholarship is intended as a reward and encouragement to exceptional students who would like to study in the STEM field (science, technology, engineering and maths) at University. The group of Scholars regularly come together for events throughout the year and this community of very bright students will be worldwide leaders in their fields in the future, be it in research or industry.
"The tangible support offered by the Naughtons was life-changing to me when I received the scholarship. I can see the legacy the Naughtons are achieving and the community that they've managed to create, cultivate and encourage among us." --Previous Scholarship Recipient
Once such event designed to celebrate these scholars, encourage their professional development and build community, is the Naughton Family yearly retreat weekend in the exceptional surroundings of the University of Notre Dame’s global site at Kylemore Abbey. Here, students take part in adventure and team-building activities, enjoy in-house entertainment and learn from prestigious and inspiring speakers, who are among the best in sports, business, psychology and academia.
The Naughton family has close ties to the University of Notre Dame on both sides of the Atlantic. They offer the Naughton fellowship which encourages Irish students and students from the University of Notre Dame to take part in research projects in a transatlantic exchange of talent and academic excellence.
2024 Speakers
Eddie Murphy
RTE Operation Transformation
Dr. Eddie Murphy is the psychologist on RTE’s Operation Transformation where his practical, respectful and hope orientated approach using cutting edge psychological research – CBT, Mindfulness, Solution Focused therapy, to help you become your real self. An engaging, dynamic and entertaining public speaker, he has given many seminars and training events on mental health, wellness to the general public, schools, professionals, organisations and companies.
Dr. Eddie is a clinical psychologist, mental health expert, author, teacher, & life coach committed to promoting enduring change using cutting edge psychological research to help you become your real self. He completed a Masters in Health Psychology in City University London, his Doctorate of Psychological Science in Clinical Psychology in University College Dublin (1997–2000) and the MBA at UCD Smurfit School of Business in 2009. He is a lecturer, supervisor, researcher and author of professional publications.
Jack O'Meara
Ochre Bio
Jack O'Meara is the Co-founder and CEO of Ochre Bio, a biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using breakthroughs in genomics, computation and organ perfusion, Ochre hopes to turn the tide on one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time. In his role as CEO, Jack has raised over $40M from renowned global investors, built a seasoned executive team and board, and progressed a pipeline of novel RNAi medicines towards the clinic.
Before Ochre, O'Meara worked in management consulting where he supported the global launch of Zolgensma at AveXis.
Mr. O'Meara graduated with technical degrees from the University of Galway, Ireland, and the University of Notre Dame, U.S. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.
Dermot Whelan
Dermot Whelan is an award-winning Radio and TV Broadcaster, Author, Comedian, and Meditation Expert. He previously presented the hugely popular Dermot and Dave Show on Today FM, and has appeared on television shows and stages all across the globe. He has picked up more than 15 IMRO Radio Awards, a National Meteor Award and an ong at the New York Festival Awards for the World’s Best Radio Shows.
In December 2021, Dermot presented ‘Big Night In’ on RTÉ One alongside co-host Doireann Garrihy. The very well received show included laugh out loud celebrity pranks, nail biting studio games, audience surprises and a Christmas stocking full of other treats.
Dermot has written his first book ‘Mind Full: Unwreck Your Head, Destress Your Life’ which is a number one bestseller. The book is a fun and accessible guide to meditation.
Past Speakers
Diogo Bolster
University of Notre Dame
After completing an undergraduate degree at UCD back home in Ireland, Bolster worked as a CFD Engineer and Project Manager for a year before deciding to move to the States and completed a PhD in Environmental Fluid Dynamics at UC San Diego. Since August 2010, Bolster has been working in the US as a professor at the University of Notre Dame.
Melvin Dowdy
Dr. Melvin Dowdy serves as program faculty for Executive Education in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Dowdy joined Executive Education’s faculty in 2009 and is an experienced leadership development specialist whose consulting career spans more than 30 years. Dr. Dowdy was awarded the Mendoza College of Business, Executive Education Inspiring Educator Award for 2011.
Gerry Duffy
Gerry Duffy Academy
Gerry Duffy runs a public speaking and training business and has given over 2,000 presentations and workshops, sharing ideas and strategies with companies like De Puy, Microsoft, Workday, Facebook, Salesforce, Oakley, United Drug, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi and many, many more.
Alan Kerins
Inner Winner Institute
Alan Kerins is an elite multi-code athlete, humanitarian, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded The Alan Kerins Projects in 2005 where he raised over 5 million euro directly and several more million indirectly for many vital and life saving projects and programmes for communities all over the World.
Bernard Kirk
Bernard is a former primary school teacher and is currently director of Galway Education Centre, the Department of Education & Skills funded provider of CPD for teachers. Bernard co founded Africa Code Week, which is the largest digital literacy initiative in Africa. Bernard is also co founder and a member of the Global Steering Group of Refugee Code Week. In 2013 he was awarded an Honorary Masters in Science by National University of Ireland, Galway. The citation concluded: “NUI Galway now wishes to formally recognize and honour Bernard Kirk for his outstanding contribution to the education of our young people throughout his career by the award of a Master of Science.”
Josephine C. Sepeku
Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi)
Josephine C. Sepeku currently works at Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) as the project manager for Future Stem Business Leader, a program funded by the United Kingdom’s Institute of Physics (IOP). Ambassador of the SAP Africa Code Week (ACW) initiative in Tanzania, she coordinates its annual training program and African Code Challenge (ACC) programming competition. Still as part of SAP Africa Code Week, the Camden Education Trust in Galway has appointed her Regional Manager of the Women Empowerment Program (WEP) for all of East Africa.
Paul Slaggert
Paul Slaggert served as Director of Executive Education at the Stayer Center for Executive Education from 2015-2019. He leads training sessions for corporate clients on the topics of leadership, paradigm shifts, delegation and empowerment, systems thinking, and financial literacy. He also has designed a unique learning tool to facilitate the understanding of accounting and finance at all levels of a company.
Jim Warny
Cave Diver & Motivational Speaker
Jim was one of the main players involved in rescuing the boys’ soccer team who got trapped in a 4km cave system in Thailand in July 2018. Jim also had the responsibility of extracting the team coach out through the complex underwater cave system. He has participated in the making of a feature film depicting the epic rescue due to be released in 2019. Jim also holds the record for completing the longest traverse of water-filled underground cave in Ireland.