Cork doctor makes prestigious Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list for work on women’s healthcare

A Cork woman is featured in this year’s Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list for her research contributions to science and healthcare.

Dr. Tara O’Driscoll from Douglas, alongside her colleague Dr. Sioned Jones from Wales, made the cut due to their pioneering start-up BoobyBiome, which is dedicated to revolutionising infant health.

The journey began when the pair – along with Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lydia Mapstone – recognised a profound concern for the rising incidence of infant diseases linked to inadequate microbiome development, As a result they explored the transformative potential of the breast milk microbiome.

Founded in 2019 and based at Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, BoobyBiome has embarked on a mission to bridge the gap in infant feeding to ensure every baby, regardless of their feeding method, reaps the benefits of the breast milk microbiome.

BoobyBiome aims to strengthen infant immune defences and promote lifelong health through cutting-edge research and innovative products.

Tara said the award was truly humbling: “It’s an immense privilege to stand among such an extraordinary community of entrepreneurs, each leaving their indelible mark on the world.

“Thank you to Forbes for this award, which is testament to the importance of the work we are doing at BoobyBiome, to provide every baby with an intact breast milk microbiome for equal access to a healthy future. I’m so proud of our achievements to date and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us in the months and years to come.”

The trio’s work has featured on various platforms, including BBC and Channel 4.

Boobybiome has also secured over £2 million in grant awards, including the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, Smart Grant, and Women in Innovation.