University College Dublin graduate Eddie Hayden recently won the PM Group Kevin Kelly Design Award 2019 for his contribution to his UCD chemical and bioprocess engineering final year design project.

“The PM Group Kevin Kelly Design Award was designed to recognise ability, effort and excellence. It is part of our programme of activity to encourage the next generation of engineers in Ireland," said Dave Murphy, CEO, PM Group.

Solve complex design team challenges

"We’re delighted that Eddie was chosen as this year’s recipient for his ability to work in partnership to successfully solve complex design team challenges. This is something our multidisciplinary teams do across the world every day.”

Hayden, a graduate of the UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, won the award for his contribution to the team project 'Batch production of L-Aspartic Acid and L-Phenylalanine'.

“'It was a great honour to receive the PM Group Kevin Kelly Design Award and I'd like to thank PM Group for their generous sponsorship," said Hayden.

"This complex design project allowed me to further develop both my technical engineering design and teamwork skills. I believe they will stand to me as I move into my career as a chemical and process engineer.”

In his spare time, Hayden plays at full back for Ballygunner senior hurling team who just won the Waterford Senior Championship.

Mary Kelly, wife of the late Kevin Kelly (former Chairman of PM Group) and Dave Murphy, CEO, PM Group made the presentation to Hayden at its Dublin office.

Also in attendance were: UCD associate professor, Dr Damien Mooney (left); PM Group’s Eileen Lee, operations manager Dublin; Mike Clucas, acting process department manager, Dublin; and process engineers, Nicola McGirr and Jack McGovern.

Now in its 19th year, the annual PM Group design award was renamed in 2013 in honour of PM Group’s former chairman, Kevin Kelly.