NUI Galway has honored staff members for their outstanding contributions to Research. The President’s Awards for Research were introduced earlier in 2014 and are highly competitive. The awards acknowledge excellence in research activity across three categories: ‘Early Stage Research, ‘Research Supervision and Established Research.

Recipients were honoured recently at NUI Galway’s Inaugural Research Showcase. The awards ceremony included opening remarks from NUI Galway President Jim Browne and Vice-President for Research Professor Lokesh Joshi. Professor Joshi remarked on the breadth and depth of the award recipients and thanked members of the University community for their thoughtful and moving nominations.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway said: “It is a privilege to preside over the Inaugural President’s Research Awards and to share our research with fellow colleagues and our broader research community. Whilst our Inaugural winners come from different Schools and Disciplines with very different research skills and objectives, they share a passion for research excellence which is internationally recognised in their cognate research areas.” 

The Award Winners included:

Professor Henry Curran (Chemistry), Established Research Award

Professor Donal O’Regan (Mathematics), Established Research Award

Dr Marie-Louise Coolahan (Humanities), Established Research Award

Dr Shane Darcy (Law), Early Stage Research Award

Dr Martin O Halloran (Engineering), Early Stage Research Award

Professor Afshin Samali (Biochemistry), Research Supervisor Award

Dr Mark Healy (Engineering), Research Supervisor Award

Other events featured at the Research Showcase included a Euro Million Project Pitch with team and individuals pitching for research funding to develop a unique research idea. Seven projects were pitched to a panel of research expert with four projects awarded developmental funding.  Awards were presented to the following:

• Dr Eilionóir Flynn (College of Business, Public Policy and Law)

• Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile (College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies)

• Dr Pádraic Moran (College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies)

• Dr Audrey Morley (College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies)

Sixty postgraduate researchers were also selected to present posters designed to represent their work. The event gave students the opportunity to share their research with other students and staff. The following students were acknowledged at the event for their contributions to research.

Best Poster Presentations

Karen Taylor (College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies)

Dilip Thomas (College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences)

Claire McDaniel (College of Science)

Societal Impact Award

Linda Connor (College of Science)

Industry Impact Award

Trevor Clohessy (College of Business, Public Policy and Law)

Graphic/Imagery Award

Leah Kidney (College of Science)

Innovative Poster Award

Ursula Kenny (College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences)

Professor Joshi commented “This is a unique day in the calendar of the University as Engineers, Scientists and Humanities come together to debate and present their research in a forum that is open to the broader University Community. The Research Showcase gives NUI Galway students and staff the chance to share their research with new audiences and tell the world about their work.”

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