6 days Ago By Ann O’Dea
Three Irish-based researchers have been awarded prestigious Royal Society-Research Ireland University Research Fellowships (URFs) totalling €5.25m The Royal Society-Research Ireland funding is a big boost to the three early-career researchers. Totalling €5.
25m, it will enable them to establish independent research programs at their own institutions. Awardees receive eight years of support, with a mid-term assessment to ensure “continued excellence and impact”. The Royal Society-Research Ireland University Research Fellowship supports exceptional early-career scientists in building independent research careers, with long-term flexible funding, with the aim of fostering the next generation of global research leaders.
Last year’s awardees . The three projects are as follows: Dr Laura Hayes of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) will lead a project titled FLASH (FLare Acceleration Studies with High-energy observations), which will explore how the Sun accelerates high-energy particles during solar flares, using data from the Solar Orbiter mission. It is an important research area in astrophysics as solar flares affect satellite technology and Earth’s magnetic field.
Dr Anthony Redmond of University College Dublin will lead the project titled ‘Immunity in the Fast Lane: Reconstructing the Evolution of the Animal Immune System and Prospecting for Novel Antimicrobials’. Redmond’s research aims to uncover the origins of animal immune systems by studying unique marine invertebrates, and hopes to identify novel antimicrobial compounds, which could lead to new treatments in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Dr Boris Galkin of Tyndall National Institute will lead the project titled SONGBIRD (Sensing Operations in Networks of Ground-and-Air Devices), harnessing radio signal reflections to develop AI-powered mapping technology for drones.
The project hopes to revolutionise how emergency response, air traffic control, and urban planning operate, by enabling drones to generate highly detailed environmental maps without the need for costly cameras or sensors. “Ireland has a strong track record of scientific excellence, and investing in our researchers is key to maintaining this position on the global stage,” said Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO of Research Ireland. “The Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowship is a vital initiative that provides talented scientists with the freedom and stability they need to pursue innovative research.
” “Long-term funding for early career researchers to pursue novel and exciting scientific questions is vital to attracting talent and ensuring we are developing the next generation of word-leading scientists,” said Sir Adrian Smith, president of The Royal Society. “It is gratifying to see the Royal Society-Research Ireland University Research Fellowships supporting such an array of outstanding research and researchers.”.
