As the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026 comes to an end, thousands of students across Ireland will be heading home inspired, thinking about the ideas they explored, the questions they asked, and what a future in STEM might look like for them.
For Declan Quigney, now a Quality Control Laboratory Manager at Amgen, that moment of inspiration came in 1994, when he stood in the RDS as a secondary school student, presenting his own project at the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
Today, he plays a key role in ensuring the quality and safety of medicines that help people live longer, fuller, happier lives. But his journey into science began in exactly the same place as many of this year’s participants.
A lifelong curiosity for science
“From an early age, I was fascinated with science and nature,” Declan recalls. “In particular, I was intrigued by the amazing role honeybees play in biodiversity.”
That fascination led him to enter the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition with a project titled ‘Honey without stings’ - an exploration of how honey is made and whether it could be manufactured without bees.
Beyond the science itself, the experience proved transformative.
“Entering the Young Scientist brought me huge personal development,” he says. “I got to meet other young people from different schools, working on completely different topics, and we were able to exchange ideas. It also brought me an exciting opportunity to present my work publicly, including on RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground and on local radio.”Just as importantly, Declan saw the ripple effect within his own school: “It inspired other students to enter the competition in the years that followed.”
Shaping a career in STEM
That early exposure helped Declan see science not just as a subject, but as a future career.
“The Young Scientist helped me realise that a career in science would be achievable and rewarding,” he explains. “It highlighted to me how vast the STEM landscape really is, and the range of opportunities available.”
After completing a PhD in Biochemistry at NUI Galway, Declan spent a decade with Abbott Diagnostics in Sligo, working across technical and product management roles. He later made the move into the biopharmaceutical sector, drawn to Amgen’s focus on applying cutting-edge science to develop innovative medicines.
Over the past ten years at Amgen, Declan has held specialist and management roles within Quality Control. Today, he shares responsibility for managing a laboratory of 23 scientists focused on assessing the quality of Amgen’s medicines.
“Our work is about ensuring medicines are safe and effective for patients,” he says. “It’s challenging, meaningful work, and you really feel the impact of what you do.”
Breaking down barriers to STEM
Despite the opportunities available, Declan believes many young people still face barriers when considering STEM careers.
“One of the biggest challenges is awareness,” he says. “Young people don’t always realise the breadth of careers that exist within STEM, or what those roles actually look like day to day.”
Access is another issue. “Experiences like school STEM programmes, college open days and initiatives are vital, particularly in regional locations. They help students see themselves in these careers.”
That’s why support from organisations like Amgen matters.
“Industry has a real role to play in inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators,” Declan explains. “Backing initiatives like the Young Scientist helps open doors and show what’s possible.”
Amgen’s commitment to science education in Ireland
Amgen’s support for STEM education goes far beyond a single event. Through the Amgen Foundation, the company works with expert partners to advance science literacy and expand access to high-quality science education globally.
In Ireland, this includes the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) - delivered in partnership with UCD - which brings hands-on, real-world bioscience experiences into secondary school classrooms.
To date, tens of thousands of Irish students have taken part, with Amgen employees volunteering their time to share career insights and experiences.
Globally, Amgen’s LabXchange - a free online science learning platform developed at Harvard University - gives students and educators access to virtual lab experiences and personalised learning pathways.
For Declan, these initiatives reflect values he sees every day as an Amgen employee.
“There’s a genuine belief in science, education and long-term impact here,” he says.
“It’s not just about what we do today, but about investing in the innovators and creators of the future.”
Advice for the next generation
For students considering a path in science, Declan’s advice is simple:
“Follow your curiosity. Get involved in science clubs, talk to your teachers, and don’t be afraid to explore different areas of STEM. Science can lead to so many different careers… from research in academia to roles in companies like Amgen.”
His own journey, from a Young Scientist project on honeybees to leading teams in a global biotech company, is proof of that.