Pharmaceutical Society NI and Pharmacy Forum NI Prizes Awarded at QUB and UU Ceremonies

MPharm students and graduates from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University were awarded the annual Pharmaceutical Society NI and Pharmacy Forum NI prizes at respective ceremonies held at the universities on the evenings of Thursday 23 October and Thursday 6 November 2025.

The Pharmaceutical Society NI Prize is awarded at Queen’s University each year to the graduate of the MPharm degree who has been judged to have produced the best research project in Pharmaceutics.

This year’s winner was Thomas McMenamin from Stranorlar in County Donegal, who received his prize from President of the Council of the Society, Dr Geraldine O’Hare.

Also in attendance were Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Pharmacy Forum NI, Sheelin McKeagney and Anne McAlister, as well as fellow Board member, Professor Mike Mawhinney.

Mr McKeagney handed out two awards on behalf of the Pharmacy Forum: the Gold Medal for Overall Distinction in Pharmacy; and the Pharmacy Forum NI Prize for Distinction in Advance Practice and Therapeutics. Both these awards were received by Maeve Harkin.

This year’s guest speaker was Dr Joanne Brown, Senior Research and Innovation Programme Manager at the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) as well as Vice-Chair of the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy Education Committee and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen’s.

The Gold Medal at Ulster University was won by Fionnula McGrory. As well as receiving the prize from Pharmacy Forum NI Board Vice-Chair, Anne McAlister, she was also congratulated in person by Pharmaceutical Society NI Council member, Brendan Garland.

Also receiving a prize was Aoibhin O’Sullivan, who was awarded the Pharmacy Forum NI Prize for achieving the highest aggregate mark in Level 6 (Year 3) of her MPharm degree.

Speaking after the events Dr O’Hare said:

“It is always a privilege to represent the Society at these prize giving evenings at Northern Ireland’s schools of pharmacy and help recognise the remarkable achievements of the hard-working and talented students on their way to becoming the next generation of pharmacists.

“I was touched in particular to hear that Thomas McMenamin, the winner of this year’s Pharmaceutical Society NI Prize at Queen’s, was joined by his 90-year-old grandmother, who travelled down from Donegal to share in her grandson’s success.

“Congratulation to Thomas, Maeve, Fionnuala, Aoibhin and all the other winners at this year’s events.”

Thomas McMenamin, Maeve Harkin and Fionnuala McGrory are currently undertaking their Foundation Training Years. Aoibhin O’Sullivan is now in the final year of her MPharm degree at Ulster University.