Ronan McGovern – Irish Fulbright Science and Technology Award Program 2010/11

Fulbright Project: PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ronan is a graduate of University College Dublin, currently studying mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At a time when freshwater resources are under pressure in both developed and developing countries, Ronan's research involves the design of new water treatment technologies, powered by renewable energy. Due to the support of the Fulbright Science & Technology PhD program and MIT, Ronan has had the opportunity to collaborate with academics and industry in Washington D.C, Denver and also Saudi Arabia, where 90% of water comes from the desalting of seawater.

“Above all, being a student in Cambridge, Massachusetts provides me with the opportunity to live amongst innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors and to rapidly build social and academic experience.

“Beyond my life in Cambridge, the broad international community provided by my fellow Fulbright students and scholars has provided me with a cultural experience far beyond the geographical boundaries of the United States.”