Linking Learning to Industry: Chemistry Students Visit Eli Lilly
On Thursday morning, February 26th, our 6th Year Chemistry students, accompanied by Ms Mairéad Dullea and Mr Brian O’Reilly, visited the nearby Eli Lilly pharmaceutical plant for an engaging and informative site tour. Lilly very kindly provided transport to and from the facility and, despite the wet and windy conditions, students were given a comprehensive walking tour of the site and laboratory facilities. The sheer scale of the storage tanks for chemicals such as ethanol and acetone was truly impressive when viewed up close.
Kevin Lydon and Aobha Hickey warmly welcomed the group to the 160-acre site. Following a safety briefing, Kevin delivered an overview of the facility, where small molecules, large molecules, and more recently peptides are manufactured. An aerial image of the site highlighted the extensive manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and two solar farms that have been added in recent years, reflecting the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Students also gained valuable insight into the wide variety of career opportunities available — not only for Science graduates but also for those completing non-Science related degrees. Kevin emphasised the importance of choosing CAO courses that include industry placements, noting how on-site experience provides invaluable learning and can offer a significant advantage when applying for competitive graduate programmes.
Three professionals — Dan Breen, Kevin Sheedy, and Rachel O’Sullivan — shared their personal career journeys and described their current roles within the company:
Dan Breen, a Chemical Engineer, works in Digital Plant Management. He uses advanced computer systems alongside mathematical and statistical modelling to ensure manufacturing plants operate smoothly, safely, and efficiently. His role involves predicting process behaviour and solving engineering challenges as they arise.
Kevin Sheedy, a Process Chemist, explained how medicines are manufactured on a large scale. His work includes overseeing the chemical production of important drugs such as Tirzepatide, used in the treatment of diabetes and to support weight loss. He highlighted the critical importance of precision, safety, and reliability in pharmaceutical production.
Rachel O’Sullivan, a scientist in Laboratory Support, described her role in helping teams develop and refine efficient methods for synthesising new medicines. Her work plays an essential part in bringing potential treatments from early-stage research to real-world application.
Students then toured three different laboratories, where they observed advanced techniques such as Nanofiltration and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). These sophisticated industrial methods were compared to the simplified versions studied in Leaving Certificate Chemistry, allowing students to make meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world practice.
They also learned how chemists begin with a small-scale “recipe” for a drug in the laboratory and gradually scale it up for full manufacturing. Scientists explained that the initial focus is to develop and launch the “Generation 1” version of a medicine. Once established, attention turns to creating “Generation 2” — improving efficiency, sustainability, and production speed. Creativity, teamwork, and continual problem-solving were highlighted as key elements of daily work in the pharmaceutical industry.
To conclude the visit, students met two University of Limerick undergraduates currently completing work placements as part of their Pharmaceutical & Industrial Chemistry degree. They spoke about the enormous benefits of gaining industry experience during their studies and how such placements provide a significant advantage when applying for graduate programmes.
The visit offered students a valuable insight into the diverse careers available in science and demonstrated how these roles directly contribute to the development of life-changing medicines.