The judging panel for the Boyle Medal bursary included five eminent scientists from Britain, Germany, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It was chaired by Lord Lewis, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Other judges were: Prof Paul Engel, professor of biochemistry at University College, Dublin; Prof George Walmsley, dean of the faculty of science and agriculture at Queen's University, Belfast; Prof Werner Rathmeyer, professor of biology at the University of Konstanz, Germany; and Prof Dervilla Donnelly, emeritus professor of chemistry at University College, Dublin and chair of the preliminary judging panel which selected the three finalists.