Professor Ted Vaughan appointed Interim Director as University sets out ambitious research agenda for public good

University of Galway has announced it is to establish the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, to pursue pioneering research into the understanding of disease, and solutions for healthcare.

Professor Ted Vaughan has been appointed Interim Director of the new Institute, which will formally launch on Thursday October 10^th 2024 at a special day-long event on campus.

The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation has been designed to spearhead groundbreaking research in understanding diseases and developing healthcare solutions, leveraging the University’s expertise in biomedical science and engineering.

The new Institute brings together more than 200 researchers and academics across a wide range of fields of study, from groundbreaking discovery in biology to technological innovation of novel medical devices.

University of Galway has also established the Research Institutes Technology Services Directorate, led by Dr Elaine Breslin. It will support the new research Institute and the existing Institute for Clinical Trials, which was formally established last year, by managing core facilities and technologies and by introducing new resources, to foster a world-class research ecosystem.

The combined institutional investment in new research capacity will enhance the harnessing of scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of clinical trials and healthcare, by accelerating the provision of potentially disruptive and cutting-edge therapies and medical solutions, and how they are applied in the treatment of disease.

Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “The establishment of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, alongside the recently established Institute for Clinical Trials marks a step-change and a highly ambitious strategic approach to research at University of Galway.

“People are our strength and the research work of our people in these institutions, and in partnership with others, will enable the translation of fundamental scientific research into potentially life-changing treatments and interventions that directly benefit society - fulfilling our mission to be here for public good.

“We are a research-led institution, and the combined strength, capacity and expertise of these two institutes will allow us to expand our ambition and research agenda by bringing new discoveries and technologies into clinical practice while offering yet more learning and opportunities for our students, researchers and academics.”

Professor Laoise McNamara, Head of School of Engineering, said: "The foundation of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation is strong, built upon many years of pioneering research in biomedical engineering and health sciences at University of Galway. Its establishment marks a significant step change in our efforts, which seeks to empower our researchers to make substantial progress in our mission to develop cutting-edge therapies and innovative technologies. It will also enhance the environment for student learning by providing excellent research facilities, along with opportunities for research internships and enhanced research-led teaching."

Executive Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Professor Walter Gear, said: “Professor Vaughan’s blend of both fundamental and applied research and innovation, his track record in research leadership and his experience of working collaboratively with the medtech industry, positions him to provide the leadership and impetus to build on our existing strengths to enable an acceleration of fundamental and applied understanding of disease, and an application of this understanding and knowledge to pre-clinical research to provide potential disruptive solutions for health.”

Professor Ted Vaughan, Interim Director of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “Our vision is to create the best possible environment in University of Galway for our research community to develop new healthcare technologies. We aim to address any remaining gaps in the research development pipeline from scientific discovery to innovation.

“We want to support our research community to discovery, develop and deploy novel technologies and therapies to facilitate earlier detection and diagnosis, to reduce treatment times, to improve clinical outcomes for patients, and really pave the way for next generation technology in health.”

The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation will be led out of the College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway, creating a new environment to integrate and expand the excellence of the University’s research.

It will operate in close collaboration with the University’s Institute for Clinical Trials, as well as CÚRAM, the Research Ireland-Taighde Éireann funded centre for medical devices, and BioInnovate, the Enterprise Ireland Innovators’ Initiative programme.

This strategic combination of expertise will facilitate sustained, research-led development at University of Galway, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global medtech hub and a significant contributor to economic growth and regional development. 

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