Minister Conor Lenihan announces inaugural Science Foundation Ireland ‘Researcher of the Year’

- Professor Luke O’Neill, TCD, recognised for pioneering work in immunology

Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Conor Lenihan T.D., has today (Monday, November 9th, 2009) announced Professor Luke O’Neill of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as winner of Science Foundation Ireland’s inaugural SFI “Researcher of the Year” accolade. Minister Lenihan made the announcement in a keynote address to the SFI Science Summit, at a two-day conference in Athlone attended by over 300 of Ireland’s leading scientific researchers.

Luke O’Neill is Professor of Biochemistry based at Trinity College Dublin and, through his pioneering work in the areas of immunology and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, has emerged as a world leader in his field.

Presenting Prof. O’Neill with his award, Minister Lenihan said “Luke O’Neill has achieved exceptional scientific research outputs in immunology, and has made a profound contribution to Ireland’s research community in the process.”

The Minister added “In addition to his ground breaking laboratory achievements, Professor O’Neill has also been a driving force in the commercialisation of research and an articulate and strong proponent of scientific research in the public domain. His all-round contribution to science in Ireland makes him a thoroughly deserving recipient of this prestigious honour.”

Minister Lenihan also presented an award to Dr. Kevin Sullivan, NUI Galway as the winner of the SFI Research Image Competition with his images title - Troubled Cell Division. This new competition offered SFI-funded researchers the opportunity to submit digital images created during the course of their research.