Ireland’s Future Research Leaders Applauded

Ten recipients of a research leaders award programme were honoured by Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland, at a special ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin (March 2).

The SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Programme recruits and retains outstanding and emerging early career research leaders with exceptional accomplishments in scientific and engineering domains.  The research areas awarded span human health in the areas of lung disease, ageing, traumatic brain injury, bowel and gastrointestinal diseases and sensors for prosthetics to environmental projects in the area of barley production and marine bioresources to understanding the impact of the Sun on the Earth using advanced data analytics.

The ten awards represent an investment of €15 million, with a duration of five years each, and will also support the additional recruitment of 40 research positions, including 18 PhD students, 15 postdocs and seven research assistants. There are four awardees based in Trinity College Dublin (TCD), three in University College Dublin (UCD), two in Maynooth University (MU) and one in Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).

Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) said “Science Foundation Ireland’s overarching aim is to contribute to the betterment of our society and economy through the transformative research we support. The SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Award recognises outstanding new research leadership and talent.  I am delighted to see the ten awardees choosing to come to Ireland to continue their work and congratulate them on their achievements. We are dedicated to supporting research leaders with ideas to drive innovation and assist Ireland and the world in meeting the many challenges we face, from climate change, supporting healthy ageing and understanding the universe.”