Could Ireland, and Donegal student Arya Satheesh, be the next global champion of The Earth Prize?
Arya Satheesh is the European regional winner of The Earth Prize 2026. Speaking with Ian Martin, BiOrbic Public Engagement Manager, she reflects on her journey so far, her connection to BiOrbic and its Director Prof. Kevin O’Connor and towards the global winner announcement.
Arya’s project EcoPurge is a biodegradable plastic that breaks down safely and releases catalysts to remove existing microplastics.
Voting closes this Wednesday 27th May so make sure to check out Arya’s project EcoPurge on The Earth Prize website.
Caption: Arya Satheesh is the European regional winner of The Earth Prize 2026. Photo credit: The Earth Foundation.
Arya has described the past few weeks as a whirlwind of Leaving Cert exams, graduation, and international recognition for her Earth Prize success. She explained that graduation felt “exciting but emotional,” particularly because she realised many of her classmates would soon be going their separate ways after school.
Speaking about discovering she had won the European Earth Prize, Arya recalled reading the Earth prize email during a free class at school surrounded by her friends. She said the moment felt “unbelievable” and that she “had to pinch [herself] to make sure [she] wasn’t dreaming.”
Reflecting on the early stages of her EcoPurge project, Arya said she contacted many organisations and researchers looking for support and opportunities with her school project. “Nobody ever told me there were people like BiOrbic or ATU out there to help me. I just randomly emailed,” she explained.
Arya spoke warmly about the support she received from BiOrbic and Prof. O’Connor, describing it as a major turning point in her journey, adding that ’if BiOrbic and Kevin weren’t there, I would not have been able to get to this level.”
Speaking on setbacks and rejections Arya faced along the way, including unsuccessful applications to earlier science competitions, but said those experiences only strengthened her determination, “the more rejections I got, the stronger I got” she explained.
She also discussed how the recognition from the Earth Prize has already begun opening new doors, including interest from industry collaborators who are interested in helping to further develop the idea and explore its potential applications.
Arya revealed that she plans to take a gap year after finishing school in order to continue developing the project further, underlining her long-term commitment to the work. She explained that “even if I won’t be the global winner, I will still continue to do this.”
Voting closes this Wednesday 27th May so make sure to check out Arya’s project EcoPurge on The Earth Prize website.
