SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2015
CASE
STUDY
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(L-R) Prof Louise Kenny and Prof Geraldine Boylan.
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SFI Researcher of the Year Award 2015 - Professors Kenny and
Boylan are leading the way in perinatal research
The annual Science Foundation Ireland Researcher of the Year Award was this
year presented to two outstanding scientists from the UCC-based SFI Research
Centre INFANT- Prof Louise Kenny and Prof Geraldine Boylan. The award, which
is determined by an external panel of independent judges, is a commendation of
their remarkable scientific impact and exceptional contribution to science and
innovation. The co-directors of INFANT, the Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal
Translational Research, have led ground breaking discoveries and the development
of new technologies for pregnancy research, preterm physiological monitoring,
infant neurological problems, and infant and maternal nutrition, to name but a few.
Under the Science Foundation Ireland award, Prof Louise Kenny developed a
diagnostic test for the early detection of pre-eclampsia. The discovery will lead to
significant improvements in the health of mothers and babies. IP was developed
and licenced to a UCC spin-out company, Metabolomics Diagnostics. Louise Kenny
has supported investor pitches by the company which resulted in their recent
success in securing €750,000 of investment from SOS Ventures, AIB Seed Capital
Fund and Enterprise Ireland HPSU.
Geraldine Boylan is a scientist, Professor of Neonatal Physiology and a world-
leading expert in newborn brain function. Her pioneering work in this area has been
instrumental in developing the first ever medical device for automated seizure
detection in newborns. She is currently leading an international clinical trial of
this device which has been funded by a Strategic Translational Award from the
Wellcome Trust.
Developing and Supporting Talent
Human capital is one of the most significant
impacts of publicly funded scientific research. The
provision of scientifically trained expertise (PhDs
graduates) is a vital output resulting from Science
Foundation Ireland awards. Science Foundation
Ireland investments deliver fourth level graduates,
the majority of whom are expected to transfer into
employment in high-tech companies and, to a lesser
extent, to the public service, while a significant
minority will stay within the academic community.
Science Foundation Ireland initiatives such as the
SFI Research Centres Programme and the Strategic
Partnerships Programme, involve collaboration with
industry and so increase the numbers of researchers
who will have spent PhDs or postdoctoral fellowships
directly engaging with industry. Science Foundation
Ireland programmes such as the Technology
Innovation Development Award, which incorporates
a commercialisation course, and the Industry
Fellowship, which funds one year placements
with industry, also increase the employability of
researchers from these programmes by industry.
During 2015, Science Foundation Ireland directly
supported 4,040 people throughout the research eco-
system in Ireland, this included 529 award holders
and 1,355 postgraduate students. Just over half of
research team members are Irish, 26% are European
(excluding Ireland) and 19% come from outside
of Europe. 50% of PhD students are international
students.
Over 560 team members left research groups in 2015,
60% of these remained in Ireland, 23% moved to
Europe and 14% moved to non-European countries.
The number of leavers moving to industry based in
Ireland remained steady at 24%.