TU Dublin Honours Excellence in Research and Innovation at Annual Awards Ceremony
TU Dublin recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of its researchers and innovators at the 2024 Annual Awards Ceremony, recognising excellence across various fields and disciplines and acknowledging individuals and teams who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge, supporting sustainability efforts, and driving innovation. The ceremony featured a diverse range of award categories, recognising groundbreaking work in business, science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. It also acknowledged the vital role of research in addressing global challenges and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and communities.
Dr Brendan Jennings, TU Dublin Vice President for Research and Innovation, expressed pride in the university’s research community:
“As a Technological University, research activity carried out in close collaboration with enterprises and community groups in the Dublin region is central to our mission to deliver positive impact on society. We are hugely proud of the effort and commitment of our community of 1,000+ researchers and innovators and are delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate their achievements. I congratulate all the award winners, everyone nominated for an award, and everyone across the university who supports them in their impactful work.”
The ceremony featured a keynote speech by Professor Grace Mulcahy, Professor of Veterinary Microbiology at University College Dublin (UCD) and Chair of the All-Island Research Culture Network. Professor Mulcahy praised the event’s focus on research excellence and the importance of collaboration:
"I am delighted to be at the TU Dublin Research and Innovation Awards ceremony to hear of the impressive research being done across a wide variety of disciplines here, and to discuss with my TU Dublin colleagues how we can work together in our research ecosystem to provide a supportive research culture - essential in underpinning research integrity and research excellence".
The awards ceremony offered a platform for sharing and discussing new ideas, innovations, and collaborations between TU Dublin staff and students, partners and guests. As part of the festivities, attendees were encouraged to view the shortlisted nominees’ poster presentation showcase, engage in networking, and participate in discussions around the future of research and innovation. Several awards were also presented in recognition of the showcased collaborative efforts, which have led to new ventures, spinouts, and potential patents that will have long-lasting societal impact.
Quote from Dr. Mathew Sheehan: Winner of the One to Watch Award 2024
“Winning the ‘One to Watch’ Award is an honour, it is so uplifting to see the hard work of the research team at the National Optometry Centre acknowledged, and in promoting the importance that ocular microtremor plays as a quantitative biomarker for neurological function. This clinical investigation of the iTremor-One device is nearing completion, and the collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing accessible, precise healthcare solutions. The award highlights the exciting wide-ranging possibilities for iTremor-One in clinical settings, from optometry and neurology to on-the-field concussion assessment. This recognition encourages us to continue pushing boundaries, with the goal of making meaningful contributions to patient care and diagnostic innovation.”
The event highlighted the close ties TU Dublin has with local enterprises, governmental bodies, and non-profit organisations. Over the past year, the university’s researchers have made significant strides in sustainability-focused innovations, from energy-efficient technologies to sustainable educational practices, demonstrating their commitment to addressing both local and global environmental challenges. The university’s ongoing partnerships with businesses have resulted in groundbreaking products, solutions, and services that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
Quote from Emma Geoghegan Winner of the Research Sustainability in Education Award 2024.
"I’m honoured to receive the Research Sustainability in Education Award. Through projects like the HCI Building Change initiative and ARCH4change, we are reshaping architectural education to prioritise sustainability and climate literacy. This work is a truly collaborative endeavour, and it is particularly gratifying that the award acknowledges the ongoing research and scholarship required for impactful curriculum change. This recognition supports our ongoing efforts to foster a new generation of environmentally conscious professionals and influences national policy to ensure architecture education meets the needs of a changing world."
These awards reflect TU Dublin's strong commitment to excellence in sustainability and innovation, recognising the importance of both individual achievements and collaborative efforts in addressing societal challenges. The event celebrated not just academic success but also the far-reaching impact of research on industry, education, and the wider community.
The following individuals and teams were announced as the overall winners.
- Early Career Researcher: Dr. Ciara Ahern
Since graduating with her PhD in 2019, Dr. Ahern has made significant contributions to sustainable building research, particularly in her leadership roles within the MaREI Research Centre. She founded the Irish Building Stock Observatory in 2021 to provide a better understanding of the energy performance of the building sector through reliable, consistent, and comparable data and to share knowledge between those engaged in buildings and energy research. Her work, widely cited in national policy documents, has helped shape energy efficiency standards in Ireland and received international recognition, including a UNESCO innovation award.
- Established Career Researcher: Professor Hugh J Byrne
Professor Byrne has led numerous high-impact projects, attracting over €30 million in funding over his research career. He has produced over 400 papers, 15,000 citations and a H Index of 62. He has particularly focussed on bridging the physical and life sciences, particularly through the fields of vibrational spectroscopy, cytotoxicology, and numerical modelling, in a systems biology framework.
- Excellence in Provision of Support to Researchers: Dr. George Amarandei
Dr. Amarandei plays an instrumental role in enriching the research experience for colleagues and collaborators in the research group he coordinates (GAP). He is known for his hands-on approach, actively guiding and supporting researchers, both new and experienced, in navigating the complexities of research funding, collaboration, and project management. George’s open-door policy and inclusive leadership style have been instrumental in cultivating a collaborative atmosphere and the group has grown three-fold under his direction.
- Excellence in Research Supervision: Dr. Steven Davy
Dr. Davy is celebrated for his excellence in research supervision, providing clear guidance, timely feedback, and fostering collaboration among students. Dr Davy is not only a mentor but also a role model. His passion for research, coupled with his unwavering support for his students, inspires a deep sense of dedication and enthusiasm. He is always approachable, offering guidance and reassurance, particularly during challenging times. This holistic approach to supervision ensures that students are not only academically successful but also well-prepared for their future careers.
- Research Engagement: Professor Fiona Lyng
Professor Lyng has made outstanding contributions to cancer diagnostics research through her engagement with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital on cervical cancer screening and the early detection of this preventable cancer. She has further developed the Raman spectral cytopathology protocol, together with other clinical collaborators in the Dublin Dental University Hospital and St James Hospital, so that it could also be used for oral and lung cancer cytopathology.
- Multidisciplinary Research Team: Human Factors in Safety and Sustainability Research Group
This team led by Dr. Maria Chiara Leva has advanced the development of adaptive systems that predict and mitigate human errors and safety risks, for high-risk industries like aviation, healthcare, and nuclear energy, where both technical and human failures can lead to severe societal, economic, and environmental consequences. The team is large and truly interdisciplinary in nature with members based in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Food Science, Media and Social Sciences and Computing (TU Dublin). External members come from hospitals, businesses, and academia from Denmark, Italy, Serbia and the UK.
Their research has bridged the gap between theory and practice, with a strong focus on improving safety standards and operational efficiencies.
- Innovation Impact: Dr. Furong Tian
Dr. Tian’s research in nanotechnology and diagnostics has led to the development of innovative, commercially viable diagnostic kits for bacteria that can prevent hospital patients and health workers from being harmed by toxins and avoidable infections. Her collaborations with industry and academia have resulted in several patents and technology transfers, showcasing her impact on healthcare and biosensor technology.
- One to Watch: Dr. Matthew Sheehan
Dr. Sheehan has been recognised as a "One to Watch" for his work conducting a clinical investigation of a new prototype device, the iTremor, which has potential as a diagnostic tool for brain diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It also has major commercialisation potential as a screening tool in optometry and neurology clinics as well as for detection of concussion in a variety of environments including pitch-side paramedical care.
- Research in Climate Action: Dr. Michelle Giltrap
Dr. Giltrap research on climate action, particularly within the context of sustainable seafood and pollution related practices, has been influential in shaping environmental policies. Her published reports have contributed to those developed by the Marine Institute for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Her innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions have earned her recognition as a leader in climate action, ecotoxicology and in the biological effects of chemical pollutants, nanomaterials and microplastics on the environment. She is co-Chair of the International Council for Exploration of the Sea working group on biological effects of contaminants.
- Research Sustainability in Education: Emma Geoghegan
Ms. Geoghegan’s research focuses on integrating sustainable practices into curricula, fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious professionals. She plays a leading role in the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Building Change project, a strategic education initiative and partnership between all Schools of Architecture in the Republic of Ireland. The project has radically revised architecture education in Ireland with respect to climate literacy and advanced environmental and technological knowledge and knowhow. She established a strong international network through projects such as the Erasmus+ funded multi-institutional project ARCH4change. Through her involvement with the professional registration body the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, as Vice President 2020-2022 and subsequently as a member of the Education Taskforce rewriting the national Standard of Knowledge, Skill and Competence for Architects, her work is also informing national policy on architecture education.