Technology and medicine in the 21st century was the theme of the addresses at the 87th Biological Society Inaugural Meeting, which took place in RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences on Friday, 24 January 2020.

The Biological Society (BioSoc) is the oldest student society in RCSI and the event was organised by students from the Biological Society Committee with assistance from the RCSI Student Services team.

Speaking on the evening, Biological Society President Ms Camilla Carroll, Consultant Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon, said: “RCSI continues to be a world leader in the delivery of medical education; the implementation of the medical curriculum ensures that our students are empowered to be the future leaders in the delivery of safe, effective healthcare to the patients we treat.”

Delivering the Widdess Lecture ‘Equity of Opportunity’, Mr Joseph M. Queally, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, addressed the ways in which modern medical science can benefit those most in need. Mr Queally encouraged healthcare students to become true advocates for patients, addressing the systematic changes that are needed to achieve health equity.

Speaking at the event, Professor Fergal O’Brien, Professor of Bioengineering & Regenerative Medicine, Director for Research & Innovation and Head of the Tissue Engineering Research Group in RCSI, delivered a lecture on advanced biomaterial-based solutions for tissue repair in regenerative medicine.

A number of College medals were presented to students and recent graduates at the meeting, including the RCSI Council Medal, the Denis Gill Medal for Paediatrics, the Alan Browne Medal for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Psychiatry Case Competition Winner, the Dr Arthur Stephen ffrench-O'Carroll Medal, the Harold Browne Anatomy Medal, the Mary Leader Medal in Pathology and the Tom Farrell Neuroscience Award.

Full list of medal winners:

• RCSI Council Medal (Senior Case Competition): Bharti Kewlani                    
• RCPI Council Medal (Junior Case Competition): Austin Love
• Denis Gill Medal (Paediatrics): Jeffrey Lam           
• Psychiatry Case Competition: Adam Kelly
• Alan Browne Medal (Obstetrics and Gynaecology): Reshma Sabnani
• Harold Browne Anatomy Medal: Kassandra Gressmann, Ahmad Abed and Nadiya Bayeva              
• Mary Leader Medal in Pathology: Carol Rizkalla, Hannah Suchy, Isthar Redman,
• Tom Farrell Neuroscience Award: Hani Khayyat, Mohammed Eid, Mohammed Al Mulla