Irish Science Handbook

SCIENCE

SPIN

IRISH SCIENCEHANDBOOK

CHArtiNg tHe grOups, struCturesAND seCtOrs iN irisH sCieNCe

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalsIT and communicationsEnvironmental sciencesMedical devicesEnergyEngineeringFood sciencesAgricultural researchHealth careMarine scienceGeology and earth sciencesEducation and trainingMathematical sciencesPhysicsAstrophysicsNanotechnology

2012

isBN 0 906002 15 XAlbertine Kennedy publishing

AgenciesAssociations

institutionsresearch groups

innovation

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The Irish Science Handbook 2012

Albertine Kennedy PublishingCloonlara, Swinford, Co Mayo

and

Science Spin5 Serpentine Road, Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.

Editor: Tom [email protected]

Editorial assistanceMarie-Claire Cleary

[email protected]

Business Manager; Alan [email protected]

Printing: Turners, Longford

ISBN 0 906002 15 X

www.sciencespin.com

Ireland’s science sceneTom Kennedy reviews the current standing of science in Ireland and takes a look at some of the 3issues being discussed in the Irish science community

OrganisationsAssociations, organisations and public groups 12

Research groupsA selection of centre and groups involved in research 24

InnovationCentres and organisations involved in innovation and technology transfer 51

Services and supportsSome of the organisations, private and public, providing support, services and supplies for science 64

Science educationOrganisations involved in supporting science education 68

Scientific destinationsPlaces of scientific interest open to the public 76

Irish Science Handbook 2012 1

Overlooking Killarney lakes, Co Kerry.During the Bronze Age copper was mined

by the lakes and Ireland axe heads, manufactured here were exported to

Britain.Photo: Marie-Claire Cleary, Source

Photographic Archives.

The Irish Science Handbook 2012

Albertine Kennedy PublishingCloonlara, Swinford, Co Mayo

and

Science Spin5 Serpentine Road, Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.

Editor: Tom [email protected]

Editorial assistanceMarie-Claire Cleary

[email protected]

Business Manager; Alan [email protected]

Printing: Turners, Longford

ISBN 0 906002 15 X

www.sciencespin.com

Ireland’s science sceneTom Kennedy reviews the current standing of science in Ireland and takes a look at some of the 3issues being discussed in the Irish science community

OrganisationsAssociations, organisations and public groups 12

Research groupsA selection of centre and groups involved in research 24

InnovationCentres and organisations involved in innovation and technology transfer 51

Services and supportsSome of the organisations, private and public, providing support, services and supplies for science 64

Science educationOrganisations involved in supporting science education 68

Scientific destinationsPlaces of scientific interest open to the public 76


Overlooking Killarney lakes, Co Kerry.During the Bronze Age copper was mined

by the lakes and Ireland axe heads, manufactured here were exported to

Britain.Photo: Marie-Claire Cleary, Source

Photographic Archives.

Colour has hue, saturation, and

brightness, and three dimensional

modelling, although harder to

visualise, led to more accurate

systems of classification.

The colour wheel gives a good idea of how colours

relate to each other. By subtracting the colour from

one side of the wheel we get the opposite hue.

36

Blowing bubbles

Bubbles do not have to be small, and

Sue McGrath, well known for her lively

demonstrations of science in action, explains that

giants can be produced from common wash up

liquids.

It is impossible to blow bubbles with just water

because the surface tension is just too strong. By

adding detergent surface tension is reduced, typically

to a third of that of pure water. Detergent molecules

are composed of long chains of carbon and hydrogen

atoms. At one end of the chain is a group of atoms

that like to be in water, and at the other end, a group

that are hydrophobic, but attached easily to grease —

hence their usefulness in washing dirty dishes.

In a detergent solution, the hydrophobic ends try to

escape from the water, and those that successfully

manage to squeeze their way to the surface do so by

pushing water molecules away from each other, so the

surface tension, caused by mutual attraction of water

molecules, decreases. Because the hydrophobic ends

face out, the bubble is protected from evaporation, one

of the main reasons for bursting. Adding

glycerine helps, and it is also important to avoid

dry surfaces. To catch a bubble you must first dip

your wand or hand in the solution. A wet nail

will not puncture a bubble!

In areas where water is soft, tap water is fine, but

otherwise it is best to use distilled or rain water.

One of my favourite recipes, ‘the Sploose mixture’

is one litre of Fairy Liquid, three quarters of a bucket

of rain water, and half a cup of glycerine or glucose

syrup. With this mix, really big bubbles can be

produced, and a handy trick is to seal everything in

with a quick twist of the wrist.

What do you expect to see? Look at the white faced lady on the right, then look at her again on the left and see her blush. Ourmind is very good at filling in the missing gaps, even if there is nothing at all there.

Based on a drawing by Aubrey Beardsley

53 INK

Manuscripts can often be

traced back to a

particular monastery through

an analysis of the inks used by the scribes.

For writing a wide variety of substances have been

found to meet the basic requirements; freedom of flow,

clarity, and a high degree of permanency. Boiled tree

bark, the black mush produced by ink-cap mushrooms,

blue from cornflowers, powdered root of the yellow

flag iris, and even strong coffee have been used. A

black ink was made from the winter blackened bark

of blackthorn twigs mixed with milk or glue. One

common type of ink was made from oak galls, the

round balls formed by insects on oak trees. One

formula for preparation was five pounds of iron

sulphate, five pounds of gum, 12 gallons of water,

and measuring by volume, 12 gallon of oak galls.

Collecting enough oak galls for 12 gallons must

have been difficult but it just shows how big the

demand for ink was. On an even more extensive

scale Indian ink was made from lampblack and gum, and

producing fine grained soot became a big, although very dirty

industry in parts of south eastern Europe. The soot, lampblack,

was mixed with linseed to make printers’ ink.

COLOUR

Thequality ofmedievalinks had

to be highfor

manuscriptssuch as this

to survive.This is a page

from a medicalmanuscript,

the Book of theO’Lees,

preserved at theRoyal Irish

Academy.

63

COLOURThe science and art of colour explained by Margaret Franklin and Tom Kennedy. A colourful and informative paperback. €15 postfree from www.sciencespin.com

Albertine Kennedy Publishing

Carboniferous plantsA. Palaeopteris hibernicus, from Kiltorcan, Co Kilkenny.B. Alethopteris loachitica, Ballynstick, Co Tipperary.C. Alethopteris lonchilides, from Drumnagh colliery, Co Cork.D. Root of Lepidodendron, Towerstown, Co Laois.

Photographs: Tom Kennedy.

event. The exception is the Mourne Granite which is only 55 million years old and it developed during initial opening of the Atlantic Ocean, possibly due to the melting of the Earth’s crust by the ascending Antrim basalts (see “Basalts and other Volcanic Rocks” earlier). The generation of hot molten granite in the base of the Earth’s crust is driven by the movement of plates: where they collide, the over-ridden crustal plate sinks to a depth where it melts to form liquid granite (see Figure 3). Where those plates pull apart they release extremely hot basalt from the mantle which in turn melts the crust it

Vegetation covered schist lying up against a granite cliff above Lough Oular, Co Wicklow.

Figure 15. Ireland is well-endowed with granite rocks. The granite of the Mourne Mountains is the northeast stands out from the others in being significantly younger — only 55 million years old.67

Humans sometimes exhibit erratic behaviour — but

even rocks can do so. Boulders of a particular rock

type, which may be many tonnes in weight, may

be found sitting on a different type of bedrock. Sometimes

they are perched prominently on hilltops or in fields.

Farmers clearing out meadows or pastures may find to

their consternation that boulders are hidden in subsoil

immediately below the surface.

They have been transported

along with ice sheets during the

Ice Age. Let’s look a little closer

at some. They tend to be

somewhat rounded. The

surfaces of fine grained rocks,

such as limestone, often

preserve grooves and scratches.

Both the rounding and the

grooves are the products of

movement within an ice sheet,

being constantly abraded

and scored by neighbouring

boulders until, after the ice

melted, the boulders remained

distributed in a random way.

Most parts of the country have been glaciated, that is, ice

sheets once enveloped the landscape. So as a result most parts

of the country have erratic boulders. Do have a look around

your area. They are particularly prominent when they are of a

different rock type to the local bedrock. Many striking erratics

remain, such as this granite example which was carried from

the granite hills in the background and deposited on volcanic

rocks near Avoca, County Wicklow. Where is Ireland’s largest

erratic?

Erratic BouldErs

91

The Mottee Stone, a prominent

erratic boulder near Avoca, Co

Wicklow.

ROCK AROUND IRELAND

Peadar McArdle guides us around Ireland’s diversified geology.

Paperback €15 postfree from www.sciencespin.com


From modest beginnngs, the Irish science community has undergone almost explosive expansion. In spite of having a

distinguished scientific past, in which figures such as Robert Boyle, John Tyndall, Nicholas Callan, William Rowan Hamilton, Ernest Walton and William Thompson stand out on the international stage, science up to the 1980s, while academically sound, was at a low ebb, and under-resourced researchers were thin on the ground. Since then, Irish science has come to occupy a central role in Government strategy, thousands of people are actively engaged in education, research and innovation, and in some areas, such as immunology, nanotechnology, and information technology, Ireland is among the world leaders. Professor Luke O’Neill, who leads a team of researchers working on immunology at TCD, commented recently that, “in the space of ten years, we went from nothing to third in the world.” This remarkable achievement is due to a combination of related developments, not least being the late Minister for Education, Donagh O’Malley’s decision to grant free-access to second level education in 1966, and the establishment of third-level institutes in the 1970s. The institutes brought higher education into the regions, and their emphasis on applied knowledge introduced a new, and highly influential element into the system, causing the universities in turn to become more involved in innovation. Against this background, the strategy being adopted by the Industrial Development Authority, began to change. Educational standards in Ireland were traditionally high in the three Rs, reading, arithmetic and writing, labour was cheap, corporate tax was relatively low, Ireland was the back door into Europe, and these were big attractions that helped bring an increasing number of multinationals into Ireland. However, specialised skills were not high enough, and, anticipating that low-labour cost manufacturing would decline, the strategy, which has been highly successful up to then, made a radical shift towards attracting companies that were involved in high-technology and innovation. To support this strategy, third level education had to be given a boost. Thus, while Donagh O’Malley was principally concerned with education, the main purpose of increased spending in third level was basically economic.

The most significant development to occur during this shift in emphasis, was the launch in 1988 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Instutions. Usually just known as PRTLI, this programme, operating under the Higher Education Authority, has injected over a €1 billion into research resources. Under this programme about 45 research centres have received funding to date. The programme had a most unusual origin in that it was initiated by an offer of co-funding from a philanthropist, Chuck Feeney. The benefits of investing in resources to support researchers, were soon evident, and since then the PTRLI programme has continued through five funding cycles. With PRTLI funding substantial research institutions were established, including the UCD Conway Institute, and the Tyndall National Institute, and all of the universities and ITs have also received their share of support. This shaped a distinctly Irish science scene, in that unlike many other countries, applied research became firmly embedded in the higher education system. In Ireland, the agricultural research body, Teagasc, which has a long history, and the Marine Institute, established in 1991, are exceptions, standing outside the third level system, but, even so, have strong links to the colleges in research. At first, researchers were almost completely dependent on European Commission, and compared to other European Union states, Ireland had a higher success rate in submitting bids. One of the benefits of this dependency, is that scientists and institutions began to forge international links and to become involved in bigger projects. However, there was a growing need to give the science scene in Ireland more structure so that it could move up from its position as a junior partner. Following a comprehensive review of where Ireland stood in relation to the sciences, issued in 1995 as the Science Technology and Innovation (STIAC) report, the decision was made to establish Science Foundation Ireland in 2003 to fund high-level basic and strategic research. Under Professor Frank Gannon’s direction, SFI then attracted a number of internationally respected researchers and provided generous funding for fundamental and applied science, provided projects could be regarded as of strategic importance. Frank

Ireland’s science sceneTom Kennedy takes a quick look at the current standing of science, research and

innovation in Ireland and reports on some of the issues that are of concern to the growing Irish science community


Colour has hue, saturation, and

brightness, and three dimensional

modelling, although harder to

visualise, led to more accurate

systems of classification.

The colour wheel gives a good idea of how colours

relate to each other. By subtracting the colour from

one side of the wheel we get the opposite hue.

36

Blowing bubbles

Bubbles do not have to be small, and

Sue McGrath, well known for her lively

demonstrations of science in action, explains that

giants can be produced from common wash up

liquids.

It is impossible to blow bubbles with just water

because the surface tension is just too strong. By

adding detergent surface tension is reduced, typically

to a third of that of pure water. Detergent molecules

are composed of long chains of carbon and hydrogen

atoms. At one end of the chain is a group of atoms

that like to be in water, and at the other end, a group

that are hydrophobic, but attached easily to grease —

hence their usefulness in washing dirty dishes.

In a detergent solution, the hydrophobic ends try to

escape from the water, and those that successfully

manage to squeeze their way to the surface do so by

pushing water molecules away from each other, so the

surface tension, caused by mutual attraction of water

molecules, decreases. Because the hydrophobic ends

face out, the bubble is protected from evaporation, one

of the main reasons for bursting. Adding

glycerine helps, and it is also important to avoid

dry surfaces. To catch a bubble you must first dip

your wand or hand in the solution. A wet nail

will not puncture a bubble!

In areas where water is soft, tap water is fine, but

otherwise it is best to use distilled or rain water.

One of my favourite recipes, ‘the Sploose mixture’

is one litre of Fairy Liquid, three quarters of a bucket

of rain water, and half a cup of glycerine or glucose

syrup. With this mix, really big bubbles can be

produced, and a handy trick is to seal everything in

with a quick twist of the wrist.

What do you expect to see? Look at the white faced lady on the right, then look at her again on the left and see her blush. Ourmind is very good at filling in the missing gaps, even if there is nothing at all there.

Based on a drawing by Aubrey Beardsley

53 INK

Manuscripts can often be

traced back to a

particular monastery through

an analysis of the inks used by the scribes.

For writing a wide variety of substances have been

found to meet the basic requirements; freedom of flow,

clarity, and a high degree of permanency. Boiled tree

bark, the black mush produced by ink-cap mushrooms,

blue from cornflowers, powdered root of the yellow

flag iris, and even strong coffee have been used. A

black ink was made from the winter blackened bark

of blackthorn twigs mixed with milk or glue. One

common type of ink was made from oak galls, the

round balls formed by insects on oak trees. One

formula for preparation was five pounds of iron

sulphate, five pounds of gum, 12 gallons of water,

and measuring by volume, 12 gallon of oak galls.

Collecting enough oak galls for 12 gallons must

have been difficult but it just shows how big the

demand for ink was. On an even more extensive

scale Indian ink was made from lampblack and gum, and

producing fine grained soot became a big, although very dirty

industry in parts of south eastern Europe. The soot, lampblack,

was mixed with linseed to make printers’ ink.

COLOUR

Thequality ofmedievalinks had

to be highfor

manuscriptssuch as this

to survive.This is a page

from a medicalmanuscript,

the Book of theO’Lees,

preserved at theRoyal Irish

Academy.

63

COLOURThe science and art of colour explained by Margaret Franklin and Tom Kennedy. A colourful and informative paperback. €15 postfree from www.sciencespin.com


Carboniferous plantsA. Palaeopteris hibernicus, from Kiltorcan, Co Kilkenny.B. Alethopteris loachitica, Ballynstick, Co Tipperary.C. Alethopteris lonchilides, from Drumnagh colliery, Co Cork.D. Root of Lepidodendron, Towerstown, Co Laois.

Photographs: Tom Kennedy.

event. The exception is the Mourne Granite which is only 55 million years old and it developed during initial opening of the Atlantic Ocean, possibly due to the melting of the Earth’s crust by the ascending Antrim basalts (see “Basalts and other Volcanic Rocks” earlier). The generation of hot molten granite in the base of the Earth’s crust is driven by the movement of plates: where they collide, the over-ridden crustal plate sinks to a depth where it melts to form liquid granite (see Figure 3). Where those plates pull apart they release extremely hot basalt from the mantle which in turn melts the crust it

Vegetation covered schist lying up against a granite cliff above Lough Oular, Co Wicklow.

Figure 15. Ireland is well-endowed with granite rocks. The granite of the Mourne Mountains is the northeast stands out from the others in being significantly younger — only 55 million years old.67

Humans sometimes exhibit erratic behaviour — but

even rocks can do so. Boulders of a particular rock

type, which may be many tonnes in weight, may

be found sitting on a different type of bedrock. Sometimes

they are perched prominently on hilltops or in fields.

Farmers clearing out meadows or pastures may find to

their consternation that boulders are hidden in subsoil

immediately below the surface.

They have been transported

along with ice sheets during the

Ice Age. Let’s look a little closer

at some. They tend to be

somewhat rounded. The

surfaces of fine grained rocks,

such as limestone, often

preserve grooves and scratches.

Both the rounding and the

grooves are the products of

movement within an ice sheet,

being constantly abraded

and scored by neighbouring

boulders until, after the ice

melted, the boulders remained

distributed in a random way.

Most parts of the country have been glaciated, that is, ice

sheets once enveloped the landscape. So as a result most parts

of the country have erratic boulders. Do have a look around

your area. They are particularly prominent when they are of a

different rock type to the local bedrock. Many striking erratics

remain, such as this granite example which was carried from

the granite hills in the background and deposited on volcanic

rocks near Avoca, County Wicklow. Where is Ireland’s largest

erratic?

Erratic BouldErs

91

The Mottee Stone, a prominent

erratic boulder near Avoca, Co

Wicklow.

ROCK AROUND IRELAND

Peadar McArdle guides us around Ireland’s diversified geology.

Paperback €15 postfree from www.sciencespin.com


From modest beginnngs, the Irish science community has undergone almost explosive expansion. In spite of having a

distinguished scientific past, in which figures such as Robert Boyle, John Tyndall, Nicholas Callan, William Rowan Hamilton, Ernest Walton and William Thompson stand out on the international stage, science up to the 1980s, while academically sound, was at a low ebb, and under-resourced researchers were thin on the ground. Since then, Irish science has come to occupy a central role in Government strategy, thousands of people are actively engaged in education, research and innovation, and in some areas, such as immunology, nanotechnology, and information technology, Ireland is among the world leaders. Professor Luke O’Neill, who leads a team of researchers working on immunology at TCD, commented recently that, “in the space of ten years, we went from nothing to third in the world.” This remarkable achievement is due to a combination of related developments, not least being the late Minister for Education, Donagh O’Malley’s decision to grant free-access to second level education in 1966, and the establishment of third-level institutes in the 1970s. The institutes brought higher education into the regions, and their emphasis on applied knowledge introduced a new, and highly influential element into the system, causing the universities in turn to become more involved in innovation. Against this background, the strategy being adopted by the Industrial Development Authority, began to change. Educational standards in Ireland were traditionally high in the three Rs, reading, arithmetic and writing, labour was cheap, corporate tax was relatively low, Ireland was the back door into Europe, and these were big attractions that helped bring an increasing number of multinationals into Ireland. However, specialised skills were not high enough, and, anticipating that low-labour cost manufacturing would decline, the strategy, which has been highly successful up to then, made a radical shift towards attracting companies that were involved in high-technology and innovation. To support this strategy, third level education had to be given a boost. Thus, while Donagh O’Malley was principally concerned with education, the main purpose of increased spending in third level was basically economic.

The most significant development to occur during this shift in emphasis, was the launch in 1988 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Instutions. Usually just known as PRTLI, this programme, operating under the Higher Education Authority, has injected over a €1 billion into research resources. Under this programme about 45 research centres have received funding to date. The programme had a most unusual origin in that it was initiated by an offer of co-funding from a philanthropist, Chuck Feeney. The benefits of investing in resources to support researchers, were soon evident, and since then the PTRLI programme has continued through five funding cycles. With PRTLI funding substantial research institutions were established, including the UCD Conway Institute, and the Tyndall National Institute, and all of the universities and ITs have also received their share of support. This shaped a distinctly Irish science scene, in that unlike many other countries, applied research became firmly embedded in the higher education system. In Ireland, the agricultural research body, Teagasc, which has a long history, and the Marine Institute, established in 1991, are exceptions, standing outside the third level system, but, even so, have strong links to the colleges in research. At first, researchers were almost completely dependent on European Commission, and compared to other European Union states, Ireland had a higher success rate in submitting bids. One of the benefits of this dependency, is that scientists and institutions began to forge international links and to become involved in bigger projects. However, there was a growing need to give the science scene in Ireland more structure so that it could move up from its position as a junior partner. Following a comprehensive review of where Ireland stood in relation to the sciences, issued in 1995 as the Science Technology and Innovation (STIAC) report, the decision was made to establish Science Foundation Ireland in 2003 to fund high-level basic and strategic research. Under Professor Frank Gannon’s direction, SFI then attracted a number of internationally respected researchers and provided generous funding for fundamental and applied science, provided projects could be regarded as of strategic importance. Frank

Ireland’s science sceneTom Kennedy takes a quick look at the current standing of science, research and

innovation in Ireland and reports on some of the issues that are of concern to the growing Irish science community


Gannon, who had come in from a distinguished career in bio-research, took the view that it was better to focus the available funding on a limited number of themes than to dissipate support over a wider range. In less than a decade, research mainly in the life sciences and information technologies, reached the highest international level, and in terms of benefits, these developments have been responsible for embedding the pharmaceutical and information technology multinationals that might, otherwise, have abandoned manufacturing and moved on to conduct R&D elsewhere. The support for science and research also had a huge impact on the emergence of Irish high-technology firms. Many of these firms began as suppliers to multinationals, and in time others emerged as exporters, a development strongly supported by the Irish development agency, Enterprise Ireland. All of these developments depended on the Government making a strong commitment to science and research, and, of course, the economic collapse, in which a massive private debt became a public liability, threatened to bring everything to a halt. Fortunately, the incoming Government, was quick to make clear that while massive cuts had to be made, science, research and innovation, are to remain a priority.

Again, it is worth pointing out that this decision is based primarily on the perceived economic benefits from investing in science. Ministers, both from the previous and the present governments, have repeatedly stressed this point. As Minister for Education in the previous Government, Mary Hannifin, told a meeting of early-career researchers, she might be all in favour of learning and the joys of discovery, but at the end of the day, her survival as a politician depends on convincing the voters that spending tax payers money on science will deliver jobs. With the economic downturn, the stress on appearing to get value for money has become much stronger, and as a result, applied research has taken more of a lead, and the focus on strategic topics has become sharper. This is reflected in the shift in priorities within SFI. Under the previous direction of Professor Frank Gannon, there was a much greater overlap between applied and fundamental science, but under the new director, Professor Mark Ferguson, who took up position in January this year, research must be seen to pay its way, not in the long term, but preferably in the immediate future. From now on, no contracts will be signed with SFI unless researchers can show that projects will have an economic benefit.

FundingAS WITH other European Union countries, Ireland has a target of spending three per cent of its gross national product on science and research. Ireland, like many other countries, lags behind this target, but is not far below the EU average of 2.01 per cent. Two years ago Ireland stood at 1.79 per cent according to EC figures, and while the figure has improved, this is mainly because total income fell, while spending on science and technology remained static. This places ireland more or less mid-way between the south and the north of Europe where Finland, Sweden and Denmark are all well above the 3 per cent target. This aspirational figure includes state and private funding, and at present, about two thirds of the total expenditure on R&D comes from industry. This is a higher percentage than the EU average, where half the R&D is funded by private enterprise.

Gross

Education and skills

Health

Social protection

Jobs, enterprise and innovation, agriculture, food marine, communications, energy and natural resources

REVENUE

EXPENDITURE

The aproximate ratio of spending as against revenue. Based on Government budget allocations for 2012 and supplementary figures.

A snapshot of government expendature on some key areas, such as health, education, social protection and innovation compared to gross income. Based on Government budget

allocations for 2012. The biggest share by far, two-thirds, comes from the multinationals, but in numbers, there are more Irish owned companies spending lesser amounts. While figures on this are not up to date, for every big spending multinational there are about four or five Irish owned firms investing in R&D. All together, about 2,000 companies are actively engaged in R&D, and in 2010 they spent in the region of €1.83 billion. Not all of this spending comes directly from the companies, some of it is made up from grants, and a growing amount comes from the State, with SFI high on the list. In 2011, SFI had a budget of €160 million for research. Earlier this year concerns were expressed that more than half of the Irish firms are spending under 2 per cent of their revenue on R&D, many continue to spend nothing at all. This is mainly a problem in extremely hard pressed smaller firms, many of which are run by entrepreneurs that know perfectly well that innovation is good for business, but having been hit hard by the downturn in the economy, they need to regain confidence that innovation is good for business.

Irish science Handbook 2012 4

Celebrating 40 years of Innovation this year, the University of Limerick is an independent, internationally focussed University with a track record of educational and research excellence. 94% of UL’s 2010 PhD Graduates are in employment with the vast majority of these working in Ireland. A survey of Irish students recently voted UL Ireland’s most popular university.

MAEVE KIELY Current PhD Student, funded by the Irish Cancer Society to study how breast cancer cells move around the body to set up secondary tumors.

DR IAN KENNYLecturer in Biomechanics and Course Director of Irelands first MSc Sport Performance aimed at athletes and sports professionals.

www.ul.ie

Gannon, who had come in from a distinguished career in bio-research, took the view that it was better to focus the available funding on a limited number of themes than to dissipate support over a wider range. In less than a decade, research mainly in the life sciences and information technologies, reached the highest international level, and in terms of benefits, these developments have been responsible for embedding the pharmaceutical and information technology multinationals that might, otherwise, have abandoned manufacturing and moved on to conduct R&D elsewhere. The support for science and research also had a huge impact on the emergence of Irish high-technology firms. Many of these firms began as suppliers to multinationals, and in time others emerged as exporters, a development strongly supported by the Irish development agency, Enterprise Ireland. All of these developments depended on the Government making a strong commitment to science and research, and, of course, the economic collapse, in which a massive private debt became a public liability, threatened to bring everything to a halt. Fortunately, the incoming Government, was quick to make clear that while massive cuts had to be made, science, research and innovation, are to remain a priority.

Again, it is worth pointing out that this decision is based primarily on the perceived economic benefits from investing in science. Ministers, both from the previous and the present governments, have repeatedly stressed this point. As Minister for Education in the previous Government, Mary Hannifin, told a meeting of early-career researchers, she might be all in favour of learning and the joys of discovery, but at the end of the day, her survival as a politician depends on convincing the voters that spending tax payers money on science will deliver jobs. With the economic downturn, the stress on appearing to get value for money has become much stronger, and as a result, applied research has taken more of a lead, and the focus on strategic topics has become sharper. This is reflected in the shift in priorities within SFI. Under the previous direction of Professor Frank Gannon, there was a much greater overlap between applied and fundamental science, but under the new director, Professor Mark Ferguson, who took up position in January this year, research must be seen to pay its way, not in the long term, but preferably in the immediate future. From now on, no contracts will be signed with SFI unless researchers can show that projects will have an economic benefit.

FundingAS WITH other European Union countries, Ireland has a target of spending three per cent of its gross national product on science and research. Ireland, like many other countries, lags behind this target, but is not far below the EU average of 2.01 per cent. Two years ago Ireland stood at 1.79 per cent according to EC figures, and while the figure has improved, this is mainly because total income fell, while spending on science and technology remained static. This places ireland more or less mid-way between the south and the north of Europe where Finland, Sweden and Denmark are all well above the 3 per cent target. This aspirational figure includes state and private funding, and at present, about two thirds of the total expenditure on R&D comes from industry. This is a higher percentage than the EU average, where half the R&D is funded by private enterprise.

Gross

Education and skills

Health

Social protection

Jobs, enterprise and innovation, agriculture, food marine, communications, energy and natural resources

REVENUE

EXPENDITURE

The aproximate ratio of spending as against revenue. Based on Government budget allocations for 2012 and supplementary figures.

A snapshot of government expendature on some key areas, such as health, education, social protection and innovation compared to gross income. Based on Government budget

allocations for 2012. The biggest share by far, two-thirds, comes from the multinationals, but in numbers, there are more Irish owned companies spending lesser amounts. While figures on this are not up to date, for every big spending multinational there are about four or five Irish owned firms investing in R&D. All together, about 2,000 companies are actively engaged in R&D, and in 2010 they spent in the region of €1.83 billion. Not all of this spending comes directly from the companies, some of it is made up from grants, and a growing amount comes from the State, with SFI high on the list. In 2011, SFI had a budget of €160 million for research. Earlier this year concerns were expressed that more than half of the Irish firms are spending under 2 per cent of their revenue on R&D, many continue to spend nothing at all. This is mainly a problem in extremely hard pressed smaller firms, many of which are run by entrepreneurs that know perfectly well that innovation is good for business, but having been hit hard by the downturn in the economy, they need to regain confidence that innovation is good for business.

Irish science Handbook 2012 4

Celebrating 40 years of Innovation this year, the University of Limerick is an independent, internationally focussed University with a track record of educational and research excellence. 94% of UL’s 2010 PhD Graduates are in employment with the vast majority of these working in Ireland. A survey of Irish students recently voted UL Ireland’s most popular university.

MAEVE KIELY Current PhD Student, funded by the Irish Cancer Society to study how breast cancer cells move around the body to set up secondary tumors.

DR IAN KENNYLecturer in Biomechanics and Course Director of Irelands first MSc Sport Performance aimed at athletes and sports professionals.

www.ul.ie

How successful this approach will be, only time will tell. Applied research can suit certain industries, but in the longer term Ireland may not be in such a strong position to profit from the sort of breakthroughs that come in from the blue.

Developing enterpriseEnterprise Ireland, with ten regional offices, is the agency charged with supporting start-ups and growth in Irish industry. Originally the focus was on improving manufacturing capacity and quality, but now is it is on business development, innovation, marketing and export. Exporting firms are given on-location assistance through 30 overseas offices. The emphasis in support is on what are known as high-potential start-ups, HPSUs, these being firms that appear capable of rapid growth through exporting products or services. In general, smaller firms employing under ten people, or without obvious export potential, are not supported by Enterprise Ireland, but are expected to seek assistance from local enterprise boards. SMEs are not always happy with this approach as local enterprise boards often lack competence in dealing with anything other than basic issues, and firms find it hard to reach the point where they can be taken seriously by Enterprise Ireland. In terms of performance, the high-potential firms often do well, some becoming highly successful multi-nationals, but support for the smaller firms has almost consistently produced poor results. This has led to some criticism of state agencies failing to address the problems facing SMEs. As both the Small Firms Association, SFA, and the Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, ISME, have pointed out, helping them to survive and thrive is important because small and medium sized local firms are vital to the economy. In Ireland more than half of the people in jobs work in firms employing less than ten people and in many other countries, the SMEs are not just far more important than multinationals in driving the economy but they are a source of renewal. One of the underlying reasons why so many SMEs fail is not because they lack entrepreneurial spirit, but because they do not develop new products. However, accessing the knowledge required for innovation is proving to be a serious barrier, both for small firms on one side, and research organisations on the other.

Graduate placement programmes have shown that this is the best way to bridge that gap, but as a recent study, conducted jointly by firms and institutes, concluded, there is a problem in that while people in industry might not understand the complexities of research, academics have no idea of how business works, nor do they appreciate how important it is to get a product onto the market before a competitor comes up with something better. Chris Horn, founder of Iona Technologies, when speaking to a meeting of PhD researchers, observed that while scientists like to discover something new, people in industry might be happier to take up something that already has a track record. His own company, he said, expanded rapidly into the international market not because the software was new, but because it was packaged well and is useful. To create a common ground between local firms and applied researchers, thirteen Applied Research Enhancement centres, AREs, were established by Enterprise Ireland. The AREs are based in the institutes of technology, and each has a different speciality, and in another move to promote a better uptake of research, Enterprise Ireland introduced vouchers that can only be used to pay for R&D. Larger firms and the multinationals do not have this problem in connecting up with researchers. They know the rules, have the staff, and collaboration with the colleges and research institutes is the norm. Enterprise Ireland figures show licence agreements increasing from just 12 in 2005 to 95 in 2009 and 93 in 2010, but in a way this growth masks a hidden problem. Smaller firms find it extremely difficult to take this step into innovation, and one of the reasons they give is that the conditions attached to licensing by institutions are not realistic. Chris Horn, a successful academic turned entrepreneur, and member

of the Innovation Task Force established under the previous Government, has been highly critical of the knowledge transfer process, pointing out that while industrial liaison officers had been put in place, there was no consistency in approach and no standard form of contract or royalty agreements. Earlier this year, some actions were taken to address these problems, and in June the Government announced that a Central Technology Transfer office is being set up, working through Enterprise Ireland. The new office is to work with the ten technology transfer offices already established in higher education institutes, and the intention is to make it easier for firms to tap into publicly-funded research.

Collaboration with industryIn some areas of research, such as life sciences and electronics, the distinction between industry and adademia is not always clear, and this is causing problems for a number of researchers. Researchers who work in a university environment can gain valuable experience by spending time in industry, but this does not help them move up the academic ladder. In fact, they lose out, and this is an issue that has been raised repeatedly among early career researchers. Collaboration with industry is on the increase, with SFI reporting a 44 per cent in these connections during 2011, and one suggestion to improve the situation for researchers is that credits be given for time spend in industry, and that the system would work better if a two-way movement could be accommodated over the course of a a scientific career.

LeadershipIn 2004 the Government established the Office of the Chieft Scientific Adviser. Since 2007 Professor Patrick Cunningham, who has a long and distinguished career in science, and is highly regarded by the science community, has occupied this office, and later this year he will retire from this position. Professor Cunningham’s leadership in winning the bid to host ESOF was a major achievement and the event marks a good end to his period in office. As yet, no decision has been made to appoint a successor. One of Professor Cunningham’s main aims in holding this big science event was to leave a legacy in the form of continued activities, and whoever steps into his shoes could have an important role to in maintaining this focus on science as an essential part of Irish culture. A number of scientists have commented that role of the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser needs to be strengthened,

and in view of the ever shifting political demands, a detached view is likely to be of benefit to science and the society it serves. For example, it is almost impossible to have a rational debate in the Dáil on issues such as stem cell research, ethics, or fracking. As many leading members of government have admitted, there are quite a number of important topics that they are concerned about but, for political expediency they are reluctant to discuss these issues in public. In supporting science, senior ministers in this and the previous government, have stated quite clearly that they need scientists to be far more assertive in explaining what they are doing so that they can then justify allocating tax payers money to education and research. Compared to other groups, researchers are slow to engage with the voting public, and we are often reminded how few scientists there are in the Dáil, yet more people than ever before now work in science. Having a strong, well resourced and independent Chief Scientific Adviser’s office would help by giving this growing scientific community a voice.


Cpl and ESOF Dublin City of ScienceCpl Recruitment is delighted to be associated with ESOF & Dublin City of Science 2012 through the “Alchemist Aperitif” event in conjunction with ISTJA, which will provide a platform for open conversation and debates with speakers from the ESOF Conference. The Alchemist Café, Dublin’s Science Café and Irish Science & Technology Journalist Association (ISTJA) will host three evenings of discussion with scientists who are taking part in the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF). Cpl and the “Alchemist Aperitif” event fully support the aims of the Euroscience Conference:

l Showcasing the latest advances in science and technologyl Promote a dialogue on the role of science and technology in society and public policyl Stimulate and provoke public interest, excitement and debate about science and technology

Cpl Engineering & Science is committed to staffing the science and technology industry for the future. We recognise that the future stakeholders of these industries are currently sitting in classrooms around the country. This is why we believe it is critical to get these children and their families excited about science and engineering and encourage more public debate and dialogue about STEM.

About Cpl Established in 1989, Cpl is a leading provider of HR and Recruitment Solutions. Headquartered in Dublin it has a network of offices throughout the island of Ireland and across Europe, with an annual turnover in excess of €235 million (2011). Cpl provides permanent, temporary and contract recruitment, outsourcing, managed services solutions, training, payroll and advisory services to major multinationals and indigenous companies alike. Cpl offers complete end-to-end services across the complete resourcing and recruitment lifecycle.

Cpl recruits nationwide and internationally in the following sectors: ICT, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain, Operations, Office Support, HR, Sales & Marketing, Finance and Executive Search.

For more information related to the Science, Engineering or Supply chain industry, please contact:Judith Moffett, Science & Engineering Manager at CPL.Ph: 01 6146132Email: [email protected] Website: www.cpl.ie

placing people �rst

How successful this approach will be, only time will tell. Applied research can suit certain industries, but in the longer term Ireland may not be in such a strong position to profit from the sort of breakthroughs that come in from the blue.

Developing enterpriseEnterprise Ireland, with ten regional offices, is the agency charged with supporting start-ups and growth in Irish industry. Originally the focus was on improving manufacturing capacity and quality, but now is it is on business development, innovation, marketing and export. Exporting firms are given on-location assistance through 30 overseas offices. The emphasis in support is on what are known as high-potential start-ups, HPSUs, these being firms that appear capable of rapid growth through exporting products or services. In general, smaller firms employing under ten people, or without obvious export potential, are not supported by Enterprise Ireland, but are expected to seek assistance from local enterprise boards. SMEs are not always happy with this approach as local enterprise boards often lack competence in dealing with anything other than basic issues, and firms find it hard to reach the point where they can be taken seriously by Enterprise Ireland. In terms of performance, the high-potential firms often do well, some becoming highly successful multi-nationals, but support for the smaller firms has almost consistently produced poor results. This has led to some criticism of state agencies failing to address the problems facing SMEs. As both the Small Firms Association, SFA, and the Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, ISME, have pointed out, helping them to survive and thrive is important because small and medium sized local firms are vital to the economy. In Ireland more than half of the people in jobs work in firms employing less than ten people and in many other countries, the SMEs are not just far more important than multinationals in driving the economy but they are a source of renewal. One of the underlying reasons why so many SMEs fail is not because they lack entrepreneurial spirit, but because they do not develop new products. However, accessing the knowledge required for innovation is proving to be a serious barrier, both for small firms on one side, and research organisations on the other.

Graduate placement programmes have shown that this is the best way to bridge that gap, but as a recent study, conducted jointly by firms and institutes, concluded, there is a problem in that while people in industry might not understand the complexities of research, academics have no idea of how business works, nor do they appreciate how important it is to get a product onto the market before a competitor comes up with something better. Chris Horn, founder of Iona Technologies, when speaking to a meeting of PhD researchers, observed that while scientists like to discover something new, people in industry might be happier to take up something that already has a track record. His own company, he said, expanded rapidly into the international market not because the software was new, but because it was packaged well and is useful. To create a common ground between local firms and applied researchers, thirteen Applied Research Enhancement centres, AREs, were established by Enterprise Ireland. The AREs are based in the institutes of technology, and each has a different speciality, and in another move to promote a better uptake of research, Enterprise Ireland introduced vouchers that can only be used to pay for R&D. Larger firms and the multinationals do not have this problem in connecting up with researchers. They know the rules, have the staff, and collaboration with the colleges and research institutes is the norm. Enterprise Ireland figures show licence agreements increasing from just 12 in 2005 to 95 in 2009 and 93 in 2010, but in a way this growth masks a hidden problem. Smaller firms find it extremely difficult to take this step into innovation, and one of the reasons they give is that the conditions attached to licensing by institutions are not realistic. Chris Horn, a successful academic turned entrepreneur, and member

of the Innovation Task Force established under the previous Government, has been highly critical of the knowledge transfer process, pointing out that while industrial liaison officers had been put in place, there was no consistency in approach and no standard form of contract or royalty agreements. Earlier this year, some actions were taken to address these problems, and in June the Government announced that a Central Technology Transfer office is being set up, working through Enterprise Ireland. The new office is to work with the ten technology transfer offices already established in higher education institutes, and the intention is to make it easier for firms to tap into publicly-funded research.

Collaboration with industryIn some areas of research, such as life sciences and electronics, the distinction between industry and adademia is not always clear, and this is causing problems for a number of researchers. Researchers who work in a university environment can gain valuable experience by spending time in industry, but this does not help them move up the academic ladder. In fact, they lose out, and this is an issue that has been raised repeatedly among early career researchers. Collaboration with industry is on the increase, with SFI reporting a 44 per cent in these connections during 2011, and one suggestion to improve the situation for researchers is that credits be given for time spend in industry, and that the system would work better if a two-way movement could be accommodated over the course of a a scientific career.

LeadershipIn 2004 the Government established the Office of the Chieft Scientific Adviser. Since 2007 Professor Patrick Cunningham, who has a long and distinguished career in science, and is highly regarded by the science community, has occupied this office, and later this year he will retire from this position. Professor Cunningham’s leadership in winning the bid to host ESOF was a major achievement and the event marks a good end to his period in office. As yet, no decision has been made to appoint a successor. One of Professor Cunningham’s main aims in holding this big science event was to leave a legacy in the form of continued activities, and whoever steps into his shoes could have an important role to in maintaining this focus on science as an essential part of Irish culture. A number of scientists have commented that role of the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser needs to be strengthened,

and in view of the ever shifting political demands, a detached view is likely to be of benefit to science and the society it serves. For example, it is almost impossible to have a rational debate in the Dáil on issues such as stem cell research, ethics, or fracking. As many leading members of government have admitted, there are quite a number of important topics that they are concerned about but, for political expediency they are reluctant to discuss these issues in public. In supporting science, senior ministers in this and the previous government, have stated quite clearly that they need scientists to be far more assertive in explaining what they are doing so that they can then justify allocating tax payers money to education and research. Compared to other groups, researchers are slow to engage with the voting public, and we are often reminded how few scientists there are in the Dáil, yet more people than ever before now work in science. Having a strong, well resourced and independent Chief Scientific Adviser’s office would help by giving this growing scientific community a voice.


Cpl and ESOF Dublin City of ScienceCpl Recruitment is delighted to be associated with ESOF & Dublin City of Science 2012 through the “Alchemist Aperitif” event in conjunction with ISTJA, which will provide a platform for open conversation and debates with speakers from the ESOF Conference. The Alchemist Café, Dublin’s Science Café and Irish Science & Technology Journalist Association (ISTJA) will host three evenings of discussion with scientists who are taking part in the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF). Cpl and the “Alchemist Aperitif” event fully support the aims of the Euroscience Conference:

l Showcasing the latest advances in science and technologyl Promote a dialogue on the role of science and technology in society and public policyl Stimulate and provoke public interest, excitement and debate about science and technology

Cpl Engineering & Science is committed to staffing the science and technology industry for the future. We recognise that the future stakeholders of these industries are currently sitting in classrooms around the country. This is why we believe it is critical to get these children and their families excited about science and engineering and encourage more public debate and dialogue about STEM.

About Cpl Established in 1989, Cpl is a leading provider of HR and Recruitment Solutions. Headquartered in Dublin it has a network of offices throughout the island of Ireland and across Europe, with an annual turnover in excess of €235 million (2011). Cpl provides permanent, temporary and contract recruitment, outsourcing, managed services solutions, training, payroll and advisory services to major multinationals and indigenous companies alike. Cpl offers complete end-to-end services across the complete resourcing and recruitment lifecycle.

Cpl recruits nationwide and internationally in the following sectors: ICT, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain, Operations, Office Support, HR, Sales & Marketing, Finance and Executive Search.

For more information related to the Science, Engineering or Supply chain industry, please contact:Judith Moffett, Science & Engineering Manager at CPL.Ph: 01 6146132Email: [email protected] Website: www.cpl.ie

placing people �rst

Scale and becoming part of the European Research ZoneIrish researchers have always managed to secure a high level of European funding under the Framework programmes, largely out of necessity, because no other funds were available. While the cash was welcome, the partnerships and connections made through participation in joint projects have been of much greater long-term significance. Irish institutions and researchers were not just left as passive recipients, but they become active participants in shaping the future of European science. These connections have produced big benefits. Under the Marie Curie programme, for example, early career researchers from Ireland have gained the freedom of Europe, and high-technology research spin-off firms have done well from follow-up contracts. In a report published this June, Enterprise Ireland highlighted Ireland’s success in the aerospace sector. The number of highly specialised firms involved in this sector has been growing, and a lot of this is due to their success in winning contracts with the European Space Agency. According to the Enterprise Ireland report, high-technology firms involved in such areas as software, electronics and materials earned over €31 million from the ESA in 2010, and these earnings are increasing. Commenting on this, Tony McDonald from Enterprise Ireland said the biggest gains are coming from the application of space technologies to the non-space market. Europe has a great deal of diversity, and this is a great strength, but there are issues of scale, which in science can be a weakness. Many researchers are, in effect, locked in to home institutions, making it difficult to create the sort of broad research zone envisaged under the current Framework and the forthcoming EU Horizon 2020 programmes. In Ireland, the lack of scale is a even bigger issue in that the largest instutions are small by comparison with those in the UK, France, Germany, or the US. While this might not pose a much of a problem for all scientists, big projects in such areas as energy, health, transport or the marine generally need collaboration between many researchers. In Ireland scale has sometimes been achieved through partnerships, such as the TCD UCD Innovation Alliance, hailed by both college heads as “creating a new ecosystem for innovation,” and by establishing world class centres, such as CRANN for nanotechnology, Tyndall National Instution for microelectronics, and the UCD Conway

Institute for the life sciences. At UCD a number of departments and schools were brought together under the umbrella of life sciences, and as Professor Ciaran Regan there explained, this was done to show that the university is an internationally significant force in research. Bringing researchers from different backgrounds together has also helped to stimulate the development of cross-disciplinary studies at UCD. At the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, the aim is to be big and exceptional, and as Julie Dorel from the communication department there, explained, “by definition exceptional people are rare, and by comparison with other countries, Ireland is small.” For this reason, researchers at Tyndall are not just drawn from Ireland, but are recruited from many different countries. If the best researchers in highly specialised fields are not available, said Julie, posts are simply left unfilled rather than lower standards.

NumbersUnder the IRCSET postgraduate funding and support programme, a target was set in 2003 to double the number of PhD students by 2013. As a result there has been a big increase in research students, and by now many of them have entered employment in industry while a smaller number continue to work in instutions, and of course, more are on the way. According to official statistics, the total number engaged in research and development during 2009 was 21,393, of which 4,328 were considered full-time. A year later, in 2010, 8,901 researchers were on record as employees of foreign owned companies, and 7,788 were working in Irish owned companies. As a proportion of total population, this was above the European average, and as the former Director of IRCSET, Martin Hynes, explained, one of the main reasons for ramping up numbers, is that researchers are likely to create jobs, and they are qualified to bridge the gap between academic research and industry. As he observed, the traditional progression into academia no longer applies, and for the vast majority of post-docs, industry is going to be their final destination. Most of the companies that are doing well in Ireland are high-tech rather than low-skill operations, and to help researchers make the transition into industry, universities are now providing postdocs with top-up courses in business skills. The demand for high-level qualifications has also been driven by US based multinationals, and a common comment is that these companies, bargaining from a strong position, have unrealistic

While Ireland has world class research institutes, such as the Tyndall National Institute, Irish scientists have also undertaken some of the most ambitious projects in the world. In 2000 work began on surveying Ireland’s enormous marine territory, over nine times the area of dry land, and extending far out into the Atlantic. This project, jointly undertaken by the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland, explored deep waters far from shore, and it was followed by the launch of the National Seabed Survey in 1999 to survey the coastal areas and bays. These enormous and highly ambitious projects have produced a rich treasure trove of discoveries, and have resulted in Ireland taking an international lead in marine surveying.

Another ambitious project was the launch of the Tellus Survey by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland in 2004. This project, which continues as Tellus Border, involved airborne surveying combined with sampling on the ground, and

like the marine survey, the project has been an eye-opener, revealing details in the landscape that were completely unknown before. Also, like the marine survey, this is a world class project, and not only had it produced a healthy return as mineral prospecting companies line up for licences, but it has generated many follow-up studies. In 2011 the Tellus Project was extended to cover border counties in the Irish Republic and more than likely, this coverage will later extend to the rest of Ireland.

expectations. This, in turn, has an impact on students who accept that to get a job, they need a higher qualification, and of course, the colleges want almost all, if not all of their students, to succeed. Some academics have raised concerns about the impact of this in the possible dilution of standards in awarding degrees simply to meet demand. The low numbers taking mathematical and engineering sciences suggests that the majority of students are indeed going for the easier options. This is not a simple situation as evident from the fact that companies from the information technology sector state that they are unable to fill all of the available positions, due to a lack of suitable graduates, while many of the multinationals seem to be demanding qualifications that they do not actually need. In 2011, one of the recruitment firms, Archer Specialised Recruitment, conducted a survey among 700 IT professionals and found that 76 per cent were less than happy with the work they were given to do. The jobs did not provide enough challenge, and the suggestion is that either they were over-qualified for jobs that required skills rather than academic knowledge, or they had schooled to have false expectations.

EducationThe annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has a huge impact on school students choosing to engage with science. The exhibition was started in 1965 by Fr Tom Burke and Dr Tony Scott, and it rapidly became established as the biggest public science event in the year. Many of the winners have gone on to have distinguished scientific careers, and ten have taken top prizes at the EU Contest for Young Scientists. It is regarded as one of the most successful exhibitions of its type anywhere in the world the and the number of entries continues to grow. This year over 1,700 projects were submitted, of which over 500 went on show. The exhibition has always been held at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, and with continued growth, and no shortage of entries, many teachers began to ask if a similar showcase for projects could be organised for the regions. One of these teachers, Sheila Porter, took the initiative and established SciFest, and as she explained, exhibition events held in the regional Institutes of Technology, gave local students an opportunity to present projects. SciFest, supported by Intel, has been a great success, and in many ways it complements the BT Young Scientist event. The enormous success of these events shows that interest in science among school students is quite high, yet, the position for teachers who want to encourage science among senior students is made difficult by the demand to score high points in the final exams. Entry to third level is determined by the number of points scored by school students in their final year exams, and this has led to excessive learning of anticipated answers by rote. Because of this, students

This is an issue that could have an impact on Ireland’s hard won standing for educational and scientific excellence, and some education experts, such as Professor Áine Hyland, former Professor of Education at UCC, have warned that just training students to tick the right boxes is a step in the wrong direction. Martin O’Grady, Brendan Guilfoyle and Simon Quinn from Tralee Institute of Technology, also caused quite a stir by publicly taking a stand against what they see as ‘grade inflation’, and a recent case of a third level award being given for sports rather than academic excellence shows that they do have a point, as does the rather strange upsurge among schools of “graduation days”. „

Pure or appliedSupport for science has always been divided between those who simply want to know more and those who want to profit from applied results. While fundamental research is needed to produce the breakthroughs, the follow-on applications produce the profits. In practice, that division is not always so clear cut, but when overall support for science can swing one way or the other there is a lot

can gain bigh points without actually understanding the subject. In addition, there is considerable pressure to achieve high points, because without them, a student may not be able to enter the third level course of their choice. The points system has been widely criticised by successive ministers for education , the universities do not like it because it fails to recognise real ability, aptitude and comprehension, but for some unexplicable reason, the points system has remained firmly in place. In a recent report for the Higher Education Authority, Professor Áine Hyland from UCC, recommended reforms, one of which is to have minimum acceptable points, above which students could apply for courses, and acceptance could determined through interview or by drawing lots as is done in other EU countries, such as The Netherlands. As with other issues in science, this is of more than immediate concern. The students who get through the points system this year, and survive university life, will be scientists, doctors, engineers and teachers within the next four or five years. The present Minister for Education, Ruari Quinn, has called for an urgent overhaul of the system, and just two weeks ago, he expressed dismay at how long it is taking to third level colleges to come up with something better. Strangely enough, the universities, who do not like the points system, and claim that it does not work, are the ones with the power to change it.


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Scale and becoming part of the European Research ZoneIrish researchers have always managed to secure a high level of European funding under the Framework programmes, largely out of necessity, because no other funds were available. While the cash was welcome, the partnerships and connections made through participation in joint projects have been of much greater long-term significance. Irish institutions and researchers were not just left as passive recipients, but they become active participants in shaping the future of European science. These connections have produced big benefits. Under the Marie Curie programme, for example, early career researchers from Ireland have gained the freedom of Europe, and high-technology research spin-off firms have done well from follow-up contracts. In a report published this June, Enterprise Ireland highlighted Ireland’s success in the aerospace sector. The number of highly specialised firms involved in this sector has been growing, and a lot of this is due to their success in winning contracts with the European Space Agency. According to the Enterprise Ireland report, high-technology firms involved in such areas as software, electronics and materials earned over €31 million from the ESA in 2010, and these earnings are increasing. Commenting on this, Tony McDonald from Enterprise Ireland said the biggest gains are coming from the application of space technologies to the non-space market. Europe has a great deal of diversity, and this is a great strength, but there are issues of scale, which in science can be a weakness. Many researchers are, in effect, locked in to home institutions, making it difficult to create the sort of broad research zone envisaged under the current Framework and the forthcoming EU Horizon 2020 programmes. In Ireland, the lack of scale is a even bigger issue in that the largest instutions are small by comparison with those in the UK, France, Germany, or the US. While this might not pose a much of a problem for all scientists, big projects in such areas as energy, health, transport or the marine generally need collaboration between many researchers. In Ireland scale has sometimes been achieved through partnerships, such as the TCD UCD Innovation Alliance, hailed by both college heads as “creating a new ecosystem for innovation,” and by establishing world class centres, such as CRANN for nanotechnology, Tyndall National Instution for microelectronics, and the UCD Conway

Institute for the life sciences. At UCD a number of departments and schools were brought together under the umbrella of life sciences, and as Professor Ciaran Regan there explained, this was done to show that the university is an internationally significant force in research. Bringing researchers from different backgrounds together has also helped to stimulate the development of cross-disciplinary studies at UCD. At the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, the aim is to be big and exceptional, and as Julie Dorel from the communication department there, explained, “by definition exceptional people are rare, and by comparison with other countries, Ireland is small.” For this reason, researchers at Tyndall are not just drawn from Ireland, but are recruited from many different countries. If the best researchers in highly specialised fields are not available, said Julie, posts are simply left unfilled rather than lower standards.

NumbersUnder the IRCSET postgraduate funding and support programme, a target was set in 2003 to double the number of PhD students by 2013. As a result there has been a big increase in research students, and by now many of them have entered employment in industry while a smaller number continue to work in instutions, and of course, more are on the way. According to official statistics, the total number engaged in research and development during 2009 was 21,393, of which 4,328 were considered full-time. A year later, in 2010, 8,901 researchers were on record as employees of foreign owned companies, and 7,788 were working in Irish owned companies. As a proportion of total population, this was above the European average, and as the former Director of IRCSET, Martin Hynes, explained, one of the main reasons for ramping up numbers, is that researchers are likely to create jobs, and they are qualified to bridge the gap between academic research and industry. As he observed, the traditional progression into academia no longer applies, and for the vast majority of post-docs, industry is going to be their final destination. Most of the companies that are doing well in Ireland are high-tech rather than low-skill operations, and to help researchers make the transition into industry, universities are now providing postdocs with top-up courses in business skills. The demand for high-level qualifications has also been driven by US based multinationals, and a common comment is that these companies, bargaining from a strong position, have unrealistic

While Ireland has world class research institutes, such as the Tyndall National Institute, Irish scientists have also undertaken some of the most ambitious projects in the world. In 2000 work began on surveying Ireland’s enormous marine territory, over nine times the area of dry land, and extending far out into the Atlantic. This project, jointly undertaken by the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland, explored deep waters far from shore, and it was followed by the launch of the National Seabed Survey in 1999 to survey the coastal areas and bays. These enormous and highly ambitious projects have produced a rich treasure trove of discoveries, and have resulted in Ireland taking an international lead in marine surveying.

Another ambitious project was the launch of the Tellus Survey by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland in 2004. This project, which continues as Tellus Border, involved airborne surveying combined with sampling on the ground, and

like the marine survey, the project has been an eye-opener, revealing details in the landscape that were completely unknown before. Also, like the marine survey, this is a world class project, and not only had it produced a healthy return as mineral prospecting companies line up for licences, but it has generated many follow-up studies. In 2011 the Tellus Project was extended to cover border counties in the Irish Republic and more than likely, this coverage will later extend to the rest of Ireland.

expectations. This, in turn, has an impact on students who accept that to get a job, they need a higher qualification, and of course, the colleges want almost all, if not all of their students, to succeed. Some academics have raised concerns about the impact of this in the possible dilution of standards in awarding degrees simply to meet demand. The low numbers taking mathematical and engineering sciences suggests that the majority of students are indeed going for the easier options. This is not a simple situation as evident from the fact that companies from the information technology sector state that they are unable to fill all of the available positions, due to a lack of suitable graduates, while many of the multinationals seem to be demanding qualifications that they do not actually need. In 2011, one of the recruitment firms, Archer Specialised Recruitment, conducted a survey among 700 IT professionals and found that 76 per cent were less than happy with the work they were given to do. The jobs did not provide enough challenge, and the suggestion is that either they were over-qualified for jobs that required skills rather than academic knowledge, or they had schooled to have false expectations.

EducationThe annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has a huge impact on school students choosing to engage with science. The exhibition was started in 1965 by Fr Tom Burke and Dr Tony Scott, and it rapidly became established as the biggest public science event in the year. Many of the winners have gone on to have distinguished scientific careers, and ten have taken top prizes at the EU Contest for Young Scientists. It is regarded as one of the most successful exhibitions of its type anywhere in the world the and the number of entries continues to grow. This year over 1,700 projects were submitted, of which over 500 went on show. The exhibition has always been held at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, and with continued growth, and no shortage of entries, many teachers began to ask if a similar showcase for projects could be organised for the regions. One of these teachers, Sheila Porter, took the initiative and established SciFest, and as she explained, exhibition events held in the regional Institutes of Technology, gave local students an opportunity to present projects. SciFest, supported by Intel, has been a great success, and in many ways it complements the BT Young Scientist event. The enormous success of these events shows that interest in science among school students is quite high, yet, the position for teachers who want to encourage science among senior students is made difficult by the demand to score high points in the final exams. Entry to third level is determined by the number of points scored by school students in their final year exams, and this has led to excessive learning of anticipated answers by rote. Because of this, students

This is an issue that could have an impact on Ireland’s hard won standing for educational and scientific excellence, and some education experts, such as Professor Áine Hyland, former Professor of Education at UCC, have warned that just training students to tick the right boxes is a step in the wrong direction. Martin O’Grady, Brendan Guilfoyle and Simon Quinn from Tralee Institute of Technology, also caused quite a stir by publicly taking a stand against what they see as ‘grade inflation’, and a recent case of a third level award being given for sports rather than academic excellence shows that they do have a point, as does the rather strange upsurge among schools of “graduation days”. „

Pure or appliedSupport for science has always been divided between those who simply want to know more and those who want to profit from applied results. While fundamental research is needed to produce the breakthroughs, the follow-on applications produce the profits. In practice, that division is not always so clear cut, but when overall support for science can swing one way or the other there is a lot

can gain bigh points without actually understanding the subject. In addition, there is considerable pressure to achieve high points, because without them, a student may not be able to enter the third level course of their choice. The points system has been widely criticised by successive ministers for education , the universities do not like it because it fails to recognise real ability, aptitude and comprehension, but for some unexplicable reason, the points system has remained firmly in place. In a recent report for the Higher Education Authority, Professor Áine Hyland from UCC, recommended reforms, one of which is to have minimum acceptable points, above which students could apply for courses, and acceptance could determined through interview or by drawing lots as is done in other EU countries, such as The Netherlands. As with other issues in science, this is of more than immediate concern. The students who get through the points system this year, and survive university life, will be scientists, doctors, engineers and teachers within the next four or five years. The present Minister for Education, Ruari Quinn, has called for an urgent overhaul of the system, and just two weeks ago, he expressed dismay at how long it is taking to third level colleges to come up with something better. Strangely enough, the universities, who do not like the points system, and claim that it does not work, are the ones with the power to change it.


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to be said for steering a middle course. For every curiosity driven scientist there is probably another researcher intent on striking it rich. Both like to be faced with a challenge and in a way the two extremes are just two sides of the one scientific coin. Coins, however, usually fall on one side or the other, and in Ireland, the applied side is up. The development agencies, IDA and Enterprise Ireland, have always seen science as providing the sort of results that industry can apply with the minimum of delay, but as many researchers would argue, without a deep pool of basic science to draw on, we are going to start fishing in dangerously shallow waters. In the long term there is not much contest. Lasers, genetics, induction, wireless to name just a few economically important breakthroughs, all came out of the blue, but no one made any money until the results were applied. A lot depends on how we do our sums, but the fact remains that if Nicholas Callan, the curiosity driven cleric in Maynooth, had not discovered induction, we might still be waiting for some bright spark to invent a transformer. The problem with basic research is that no one can predict the outcome, and while it produces the biggest return, bets have to the spread, and it takes a lot longer to cash in. This is not the sort of risk that civil servants, or politicians with five years or less to go before the next election, like to take. At European level, where there had been a marked shift towards supporting applied science, an adjustment was made in the current Framework programme to beef up support for fundamental science. This was done to prevent Europe losing a competitive advantage in science. Ireland has gone the other way, and given the pressure to act fast and decisively to dig us out of an economic hole, a clear decision was made to focus funding on projects that were most likely to produce a short-term return. Naturally, views on this are mixed, and while many scientists are upset at such a narrowing down of the agenda, the development agencies take the view that industry is only interested in applied research. The IDA, which has been promoting Ireland as a good place to conduct R&D, is a strong advocate of this position, claiming that because applied research is closer to the market, it is of more immediate interest to the multinationals.

However, as a number of scientists point out, this is like reaping a harvest without sowing the seeds for the next crop, and as with the opening up of education in the past, we should be looking well ahead of the next elections. Some evidence to support the value of this longer term view come from one of the most successful industrial sectors in Ireland. Almost 60 per cent of Ireland’s goods exports come from the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The Irish economy benefits to the tune of over €3 billion a year, but there is no certainty that this income stream will continue. The reason? Patents on top selling drugs are running out and the cost of bringing new drugs onto the market is rising, largely because research is focused on replicating the successes of the past. In other words, diminishing returns unless basic research comes up with some fresh ideas. As the IDA claims, using R&D capacity to attract multinationals is a highly successful strategy, and one of the reasons why this works is that the pharmaceutical companies are not alone in coming to the conclusion the time has come to get out of in-house inward-looking research because a new type of cross-breed institution, straddling the line between academia and industry, can do the job much better. One of the reasons they can do the job better, and possibly a lot cheaper, is that they have all the latest the gear and lots of smart and enthusiastic young researchers. The other, possibly more important reason, is that, unlike companies that want their in-house boffins to come up with a quick fix, the instutions have no problem in delving the depths of scientific knowledge. This approach of meeting industry half way, while maintaining a high degree of independence has a bright future in Ireland. During 2010 the agencies recorded 867 collaborations between industry and researchers through these bodies, an increase of 601 over the previous year, and the number of companies approaching the instutions has continued to rise. In answer to a Dáil question earlier this year, the Minister, Richard Bruton, said that in 2004 ten per cent of foreign direct investment, valued at €120 million, was research, development and innovation based. In 2010, these investments had risen to €500 million, and in 2011 they had gone up to €700 million, so in just over just seven years, there had been almost a sixfold increase.

COMMUNICATIONSTHERE ARE an enormous number of people actively engaged in science in Ireland, yet the science community has a fairly low profile. Only a tiny proportion of the work being conducted by over 800 research groups has been reported on in the press, yet the colleges, agencies and institutes spend quite heavily on marketing and public relations. Obviously, this approach, while it might help with branding, is not working, at least, not if the object is to get more coverage in the media for science and research. There are a number of reasons why reporting on science is weak, and all of these have nothing to do with any lack of interest among the public. As in the rest of Europe, there has been a sharp drop in advertising revenue, so publishers have a lot less to spend on commissioning features and reports. Most publishers, and the journalists who work in the print and broadcast media, are actually far more concerned with content than they are with profit, but if the bottom line is in the red, the choice is stark, make cuts, or go out of business. Many newspapers across the world have indeed gone out of business, and of those that remain, in-depth content has been pushed out by features that are easier and cheaper to produce, or they are written specifically to pull in advertising. Not many readers realise that the price they hand over for their paper or magazine is actually just a small fraction of its real cost, and it is the advertisers that pay the balance. As publishers struggle to come to grips with the new reality, content is suffering, and this is particularly so of reporting on the sciences.

Across Europe, the majority of science journalists are free-lance, and very few have permanent staff positions. The reason for this is that almost all come from a science background, some even retain an involvement in research, and they need time to work up features. In general, science stories, while appreciated by readers, are not trying to sell anything, so as staffers try to hang onto jobs, specialised free-lancers are regarded as a luxury, and when savings have to be made, they are the first to get the chop. While this might appear to be a problem confined to journalists and publishers, it is actually an issue that might be be better addressed by the science community as a whole. Many years ago, when a group of researchers was making recommendations on how the position of science could be advanced in Ireland, one of the offers they made to Irish newspapers, was to pay half the salary if editors were prepared to appoint a science journalist. While many of the recommendations made by this almost forgotten group in the early 1980s had a big influence on the subsequent development of science policy, this particular suggestion, backed by funding raised by the researchers themselves, never came to anything. In view of the current situation, ideas like this could be worth reconsidering. Researchers need more exposure to maintain public support, and while there is a lot of talk about the emergence of new media, people do want quality content, instead of which they are being served up with journalistic junk. If the media cannot deliver quality content, readership must, inevitably decline. As people in business like to say, that old suggestion looks like a win-win solution.


Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) is Ireland’s national science promotion programme, managed by Science Foundation Ireland on behalf of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Department of Jobs,

Enterprise and Innovation. The initiative aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students, teachers and members of the public. DSE’s mission is to contribute to Ireland’s continued growth and development by encouraging an active and informed interest and involvement in STEM.

Minister Sean Sherlock launches Greenwave 2012.

Science Week Ireland is a key national awareness event that has been running since the mid-1990s, which is coordinated and managed by DSE. www.ScienceWeek.ie houses many resources for schools and organisations, helping them to get involved. With over 500 events running in 2011, there is something for everyone! Science Week 2012 runs from 11-18 November. Connect with the festival at www.Twitter.com/ScienceWeek and www.Facebook.com/ScienceWeekIreland.

DSE also manages a number of education programmes at primary and secondary level.The Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM) programme develops classroom resources for teachers to encourage the exploration of STEM using a fun hands-on approach. This includes teacher training, curriculum linked activities and the opportunity to participate in the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence. Visit the award-winning www.primaryscience.ie for information on how to get your school involved. Connect with the project at www.Facebook.com/DiscoverPrimaryScienceAndMaths.

Primary schools are also encouraged to participate in www.Greenwave.ie - a mass science project across Ireland observing and recording the arrival of spring by tracking species and temperatures, to see whether the “green wave” of spring moves from south to north across Ireland or inland from the coast to the centre of the country.

Second Level schools are also supported through DSE’s Discover Sensors project which promotes inquiry-based teaching and learning, and encourages the use of ICT in the classroom, and developed by science teachers for use by science teachers. www.DiscoverSensors.ie provides a number of valuable resources, particularly its teacher section, with video tutorials which complement face-to-face sessions and a teacher forum where science teachers collaborate and share ideas as part of a community of practice. The project provides students with an experience of “real science” in the classroom while supporting the investigative approach promoted by the Junior Certificate science syllabus. The www.Scifolio.ie project also provides Junior Cert science students with an online space to archive their science projects, photos and videos.

SciFest is a strategic partnership between Intel Ireland and DSE which aims to encourage a love of science through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and providing a forum for second-level students at local and regional level

to present and display their scientific investigations. It is hosted nationwide by the Institutes of Technology and consists of a series of one-day science fairs which include an exhibition of projects, science talks and demonstrations in the college laboratories and a student competition. DSE manages the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) in Ireland, providing educational material and activities using space observation and exploration as an engaging theme. Established in 2010, ESERO also supports Ireland’s increasing involvement in the space industry. ESERO offices have been established in five countries across Europe. ESERO Ireland is jointly funded by European Space Agency (ESA) Education and Discover Science & Engineering.

DSE actively promotes STEM careers to Irish students. The Science Ambassadors Programme, which profiles young qualified scientists and engineers on its dedicated careers website www.MyScienceCareer.ie from a wide range of employment sectors, showcases many diverse STEM career paths. This is a useful online resource for career guidance counsellors, parents and students making subject and CAO choices at second-level.

In early 2012 DSE delivered the Smart Futures Online campaign. This was a joint effort between government, education and Industry, resulting in the first ever online careers fair for second-level students, promoting career opportunities in the ICT sector and developing online resources for career guidance counsellors, teachers and parents. Online Q&A sessions connected students with tech professionals in companies such as Microsoft, Ericsson and SAP. A national ‘Digital Creator’ competition showcased student talent in

gaming, mobile applications and animation. Connect with www.Twitter.com/

SmartFuturesIE and www.Facebook.com/SmartFutures to stay up-to-date and access the latest resources.

Read about all of Discover Science & Engineering’s programmes and activities at

www.Discover-Science.ie

to be said for steering a middle course. For every curiosity driven scientist there is probably another researcher intent on striking it rich. Both like to be faced with a challenge and in a way the two extremes are just two sides of the one scientific coin. Coins, however, usually fall on one side or the other, and in Ireland, the applied side is up. The development agencies, IDA and Enterprise Ireland, have always seen science as providing the sort of results that industry can apply with the minimum of delay, but as many researchers would argue, without a deep pool of basic science to draw on, we are going to start fishing in dangerously shallow waters. In the long term there is not much contest. Lasers, genetics, induction, wireless to name just a few economically important breakthroughs, all came out of the blue, but no one made any money until the results were applied. A lot depends on how we do our sums, but the fact remains that if Nicholas Callan, the curiosity driven cleric in Maynooth, had not discovered induction, we might still be waiting for some bright spark to invent a transformer. The problem with basic research is that no one can predict the outcome, and while it produces the biggest return, bets have to the spread, and it takes a lot longer to cash in. This is not the sort of risk that civil servants, or politicians with five years or less to go before the next election, like to take. At European level, where there had been a marked shift towards supporting applied science, an adjustment was made in the current Framework programme to beef up support for fundamental science. This was done to prevent Europe losing a competitive advantage in science. Ireland has gone the other way, and given the pressure to act fast and decisively to dig us out of an economic hole, a clear decision was made to focus funding on projects that were most likely to produce a short-term return. Naturally, views on this are mixed, and while many scientists are upset at such a narrowing down of the agenda, the development agencies take the view that industry is only interested in applied research. The IDA, which has been promoting Ireland as a good place to conduct R&D, is a strong advocate of this position, claiming that because applied research is closer to the market, it is of more immediate interest to the multinationals.

However, as a number of scientists point out, this is like reaping a harvest without sowing the seeds for the next crop, and as with the opening up of education in the past, we should be looking well ahead of the next elections. Some evidence to support the value of this longer term view come from one of the most successful industrial sectors in Ireland. Almost 60 per cent of Ireland’s goods exports come from the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The Irish economy benefits to the tune of over €3 billion a year, but there is no certainty that this income stream will continue. The reason? Patents on top selling drugs are running out and the cost of bringing new drugs onto the market is rising, largely because research is focused on replicating the successes of the past. In other words, diminishing returns unless basic research comes up with some fresh ideas. As the IDA claims, using R&D capacity to attract multinationals is a highly successful strategy, and one of the reasons why this works is that the pharmaceutical companies are not alone in coming to the conclusion the time has come to get out of in-house inward-looking research because a new type of cross-breed institution, straddling the line between academia and industry, can do the job much better. One of the reasons they can do the job better, and possibly a lot cheaper, is that they have all the latest the gear and lots of smart and enthusiastic young researchers. The other, possibly more important reason, is that, unlike companies that want their in-house boffins to come up with a quick fix, the instutions have no problem in delving the depths of scientific knowledge. This approach of meeting industry half way, while maintaining a high degree of independence has a bright future in Ireland. During 2010 the agencies recorded 867 collaborations between industry and researchers through these bodies, an increase of 601 over the previous year, and the number of companies approaching the instutions has continued to rise. In answer to a Dáil question earlier this year, the Minister, Richard Bruton, said that in 2004 ten per cent of foreign direct investment, valued at €120 million, was research, development and innovation based. In 2010, these investments had risen to €500 million, and in 2011 they had gone up to €700 million, so in just over just seven years, there had been almost a sixfold increase.

COMMUNICATIONSTHERE ARE an enormous number of people actively engaged in science in Ireland, yet the science community has a fairly low profile. Only a tiny proportion of the work being conducted by over 800 research groups has been reported on in the press, yet the colleges, agencies and institutes spend quite heavily on marketing and public relations. Obviously, this approach, while it might help with branding, is not working, at least, not if the object is to get more coverage in the media for science and research. There are a number of reasons why reporting on science is weak, and all of these have nothing to do with any lack of interest among the public. As in the rest of Europe, there has been a sharp drop in advertising revenue, so publishers have a lot less to spend on commissioning features and reports. Most publishers, and the journalists who work in the print and broadcast media, are actually far more concerned with content than they are with profit, but if the bottom line is in the red, the choice is stark, make cuts, or go out of business. Many newspapers across the world have indeed gone out of business, and of those that remain, in-depth content has been pushed out by features that are easier and cheaper to produce, or they are written specifically to pull in advertising. Not many readers realise that the price they hand over for their paper or magazine is actually just a small fraction of its real cost, and it is the advertisers that pay the balance. As publishers struggle to come to grips with the new reality, content is suffering, and this is particularly so of reporting on the sciences.

Across Europe, the majority of science journalists are free-lance, and very few have permanent staff positions. The reason for this is that almost all come from a science background, some even retain an involvement in research, and they need time to work up features. In general, science stories, while appreciated by readers, are not trying to sell anything, so as staffers try to hang onto jobs, specialised free-lancers are regarded as a luxury, and when savings have to be made, they are the first to get the chop. While this might appear to be a problem confined to journalists and publishers, it is actually an issue that might be be better addressed by the science community as a whole. Many years ago, when a group of researchers was making recommendations on how the position of science could be advanced in Ireland, one of the offers they made to Irish newspapers, was to pay half the salary if editors were prepared to appoint a science journalist. While many of the recommendations made by this almost forgotten group in the early 1980s had a big influence on the subsequent development of science policy, this particular suggestion, backed by funding raised by the researchers themselves, never came to anything. In view of the current situation, ideas like this could be worth reconsidering. Researchers need more exposure to maintain public support, and while there is a lot of talk about the emergence of new media, people do want quality content, instead of which they are being served up with journalistic junk. If the media cannot deliver quality content, readership must, inevitably decline. As people in business like to say, that old suggestion looks like a win-win solution.


Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) is Ireland’s national science promotion programme, managed by Science Foundation Ireland on behalf of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Department of Jobs,

Enterprise and Innovation. The initiative aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students, teachers and members of the public. DSE’s mission is to contribute to Ireland’s continued growth and development by encouraging an active and informed interest and involvement in STEM.

Minister Sean Sherlock launches Greenwave 2012.

Science Week Ireland is a key national awareness event that has been running since the mid-1990s, which is coordinated and managed by DSE. www.ScienceWeek.ie houses many resources for schools and organisations, helping them to get involved. With over 500 events running in 2011, there is something for everyone! Science Week 2012 runs from 11-18 November. Connect with the festival at www.Twitter.com/ScienceWeek and www.Facebook.com/ScienceWeekIreland.

DSE also manages a number of education programmes at primary and secondary level.The Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM) programme develops classroom resources for teachers to encourage the exploration of STEM using a fun hands-on approach. This includes teacher training, curriculum linked activities and the opportunity to participate in the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence. Visit the award-winning www.primaryscience.ie for information on how to get your school involved. Connect with the project at www.Facebook.com/DiscoverPrimaryScienceAndMaths.

Primary schools are also encouraged to participate in www.Greenwave.ie - a mass science project across Ireland observing and recording the arrival of spring by tracking species and temperatures, to see whether the “green wave” of spring moves from south to north across Ireland or inland from the coast to the centre of the country.

Second Level schools are also supported through DSE’s Discover Sensors project which promotes inquiry-based teaching and learning, and encourages the use of ICT in the classroom, and developed by science teachers for use by science teachers. www.DiscoverSensors.ie provides a number of valuable resources, particularly its teacher section, with video tutorials which complement face-to-face sessions and a teacher forum where science teachers collaborate and share ideas as part of a community of practice. The project provides students with an experience of “real science” in the classroom while supporting the investigative approach promoted by the Junior Certificate science syllabus. The www.Scifolio.ie project also provides Junior Cert science students with an online space to archive their science projects, photos and videos.

SciFest is a strategic partnership between Intel Ireland and DSE which aims to encourage a love of science through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and providing a forum for second-level students at local and regional level

to present and display their scientific investigations. It is hosted nationwide by the Institutes of Technology and consists of a series of one-day science fairs which include an exhibition of projects, science talks and demonstrations in the college laboratories and a student competition. DSE manages the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) in Ireland, providing educational material and activities using space observation and exploration as an engaging theme. Established in 2010, ESERO also supports Ireland’s increasing involvement in the space industry. ESERO offices have been established in five countries across Europe. ESERO Ireland is jointly funded by European Space Agency (ESA) Education and Discover Science & Engineering.

DSE actively promotes STEM careers to Irish students. The Science Ambassadors Programme, which profiles young qualified scientists and engineers on its dedicated careers website www.MyScienceCareer.ie from a wide range of employment sectors, showcases many diverse STEM career paths. This is a useful online resource for career guidance counsellors, parents and students making subject and CAO choices at second-level.

In early 2012 DSE delivered the Smart Futures Online campaign. This was a joint effort between government, education and Industry, resulting in the first ever online careers fair for second-level students, promoting career opportunities in the ICT sector and developing online resources for career guidance counsellors, teachers and parents. Online Q&A sessions connected students with tech professionals in companies such as Microsoft, Ericsson and SAP. A national ‘Digital Creator’ competition showcased student talent in

gaming, mobile applications and animation. Connect with www.Twitter.com/

SmartFuturesIE and www.Facebook.com/SmartFutures to stay up-to-date and access the latest resources.

Read about all of Discover Science & Engineering’s programmes and activities at

www.Discover-Science.ie

Megazyme International Ireland develops test kits and reagents

for quality control in the food, feed, fermentation, biofuels, wine and dairy industries. The company was founded by Dr. Barry McCleary and Ms. Angela Kennedy in Sydney, Australia in 1988 and relocated to Bray in 1996. It has 32 employees, 16 of whom were employed over the past 5 years. Heavy investment in research and development in the “good years” has positioned the company for rapid growth, even in these challenging times. Many of the methods developed by Megazyme are world standards. Such methods include those for dietary fibre, starch, beta-glucan (the soluble fibre in oats that confers heath benefits) and many enzymes that affect the use of grain and fruit products. Recently, a new Integrated Total Dietary Fibre method developed by Megazyme has gained international acceptance. McCleary coordinated the interlaboratory evaluation of this method through AOAC International in 2008-2009. The study was named “Collaborative Study of the Year” for 2010, and McCleary was awarded “Study Director of the Year”. This method has recently been adopted by CODEX Alimentarius (a body established by FAO and WHO whose main aims are to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the international food trade), positioning it to become the international standard method for dietary fibre. Megazyme also develops reagents and test technology for measurement of enzyme activities. Enzymes are biological catalysts; in our body they digest our food

and they are widely used in food processing. Enzymes are produced industrially by major corporations in Europe, USA and Asia. These companies turn to Megazyme for their analytical requirements. Megazyme products are used to measure the amylase and protease enzymes in biological washing powders, the cellulase enzymes used to make “stone washed” jeans, and enzymes that are used to increase the digestibility of poultry and pig feeds. The quality of brewers malt is dictated by the levels of the enzymes α-amylase, β-amylase and limit-dextrinase. Megazyme is the sole supplier of specific reagents to measure each of these enzymes, and these reagents are used in industry and research laboratories worldwide. In 2003, Megazyme extended its research facility to house a molecular biology division, aimed at developing capabilities to clone genes to produce enzymes allowing the development of test kits for the wine and food industries. This venture has been very successful, allowing Megazyme to compete with multinational companies involved in this field. There are over 20 different biochemically measurable components in wine that affect quality and Megazyme has developed test kits for each; these components include organic acids, sugars and a number of nitrogen compounds and sulphite. Within five years, Megazyme became the market leader in supply of test kits in Australia, New Zealand and Chile. Much of the wine you drink was analysed and standardised with a test kit developed and supplied from Bray, Ireland. Penetration of markets in USA, France, Spain, Italy and South Africa is proceeding rapidly.

Megazyme is now heavily involved in fungal genomics research, with the aim of producing enzymes that will contribute to developments in biofuels and glycoprotein research. The challenges and opportunities are limitless. Already, several valuable enzymes have been produced through an eukaryotic expression system, and some of these are now offered for sale. Megazyme is also developing an organic chemistry capability to allow the expansion of our range of novel substrates for rapid analysis of enzyme activity. The commitment of Megazyme to “Setting New Standards in Test Technology” has been continually recognised over the years, with Megazyme and founder, Dr McCleary receiving a number of business and scientific awards. Megazyme was named the SFA Small Business Innovator of the Year in Ireland in 2007 and 2009 and McCleary was a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2009. For his contributions to analytical chemistry, in 2002, McCleary was awarded the Harvey W. Wiley Medal by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, USA — this is the most prestigious award given by this Association. He was awarded the Clyde H. Bailey Medal in 2008 by the International Association for Cereal Science and Technology (Europe), the Edith Christensen Award in 2008 and the Applied Research Award in 2009 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists. McCleary is an ISI highly cited author. Currently he is Chair of the Board of the American Association of Cereal Chemists International.

Megazyme International Ireland

Megazyme International Ireland, Bray Business Park, Bray. Co Wicklow.www.megazyme.com

091 LabsProviding a community space for people involved in making electronic and other creative devices.Tyrone House, 47 Eyre Square, Galway. [email protected]

Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, AMLSThe Academy is the recognized professional body responsible for the standard of training and education required to practice medical laboratory science in Ireland.Executive Officer Tom Moloney31 Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8

Advisory Council for Science, Technology and InnovationThe Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation provides policy advice to the Irish Government on medium and long term science, technology and innovation (STI) issues and contributes towards the development and implementation of a coherent and effective national strategy for STI. It provides the primary interface between stakeholders and policymakers in the STI arena. The Council gathers the expertise and experience of members who are recognised leaders in their fields and comprises members from academia, enterprise and professional sectors and a representative from Forfás, Ireland’s policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. The Council is chaired by Dr Tom McCarthy. The ACSTI is a sub-Board of Forfás which manages the work of the Council and provides it with research and analytical [email protected] www.forfas.ie

Alchemists CaféAs an Irish branch of the Café Scientificique movement, informal public discussions about topics of scientific interest are held in cafés, bars, restaurants and other locations outside the academic environment. The movement began in 1998 at Leeds, and have since spread to other centres. Meetings are free and open to everyone but a hat is usually passed around for [email protected]://www.alchemistcafedublin.com

All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group, ICORGA grouping of cancer experts aiming to give patients early access to new [email protected]

AMT Ireland, LimerickEstablished to provide advanced manufacturing consultancy, technical advice and training. AMT centres are at University of Limerick, NUI Galway, University College Dublin and University College Cork.Denis KearneyPlassy Technological Park, Limerick. 061 [email protected]

Applied Nanotechnology Technology Competence Centre, CCANA national organisation established to enable Irish-based companies to increase competitiveness by developing nano-enabled solutions and products that satisfy industry-defined needs. CCAN is led by an industry steering board and can easily access research

expertise from all the major Irish universities. CCAN has offices in CRANN at TCD and the Tyndall National Institute at UCC. One of the Technology Centres established by EI in collaboration with the IDA.Executive Director Dr Alan HynesTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

AquaTTAn organisation founded in 1992 by UCC and NUI Galway to provide project management, dissemination of information, and training in support of sustainable management of aquatic resources.Scientific Officer Dr Gill MarmelsteinPO Box 8989, Dublin 2 01 [email protected]

Armagh ObservatoryAn international research institute promoting the rich heritage of astronomy and related sciences. About 30 astronomers study stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy and its relationship to Earth. There is an active programme of science in the community, and the grounds are open to visitors every day.Director Prof Mark BaileyCollege Hill, Armagh BT61 9DG, Northern Ireland. +44(0)[email protected]://star.arm.ac.uk and http://climate.arm.ac.uk

Artificial Intelligence Association of IrelandA group made up from people working on artificial intelligence in Ireland. There are a number of groups from DCU, Queen’s, TCD, UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, UL, UU, DIT and from industry.Chairman Barry O’SullivanUniversity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]/4c/ucc.ie/aiai

Association of Teachers’ Education Centres in Ireland, ATECIRepresenting 21 full-time centres and 9 part time education centres.Secretary Dolores HammillKildare Education Centre [email protected]

Astronomical Science Group of Ireland, ASGIFounded 1974 to foster scientific links between astronomers working in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Two meetings a year in which researchers present their work.Chair Dr Peter Gallagher01 [email protected]://www.astrophysics.ie/

Astronomy IrelandA large astronomy club running regular events for members including lectures, and selling euipment through their shop in Swords. Freepost PO 2888 Dublin 5.01 8901111sec.astronomy.iewww.astronomy.ie

Astroshack, J65A small privately run observatory run by Dave McDonald in Celbridge. The observatory, recognized by the International Astronomical Union, provides scientific data to the Minor Planet Centre and other organisations.Dave [email protected]

ORGANISATIONSA selection of associations, organisations and public groups

ORG

ANISATIO

NS


Megazyme International Ireland develops test kits and reagents

for quality control in the food, feed, fermentation, biofuels, wine and dairy industries. The company was founded by Dr. Barry McCleary and Ms. Angela Kennedy in Sydney, Australia in 1988 and relocated to Bray in 1996. It has 32 employees, 16 of whom were employed over the past 5 years. Heavy investment in research and development in the “good years” has positioned the company for rapid growth, even in these challenging times. Many of the methods developed by Megazyme are world standards. Such methods include those for dietary fibre, starch, beta-glucan (the soluble fibre in oats that confers heath benefits) and many enzymes that affect the use of grain and fruit products. Recently, a new Integrated Total Dietary Fibre method developed by Megazyme has gained international acceptance. McCleary coordinated the interlaboratory evaluation of this method through AOAC International in 2008-2009. The study was named “Collaborative Study of the Year” for 2010, and McCleary was awarded “Study Director of the Year”. This method has recently been adopted by CODEX Alimentarius (a body established by FAO and WHO whose main aims are to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the international food trade), positioning it to become the international standard method for dietary fibre. Megazyme also develops reagents and test technology for measurement of enzyme activities. Enzymes are biological catalysts; in our body they digest our food

and they are widely used in food processing. Enzymes are produced industrially by major corporations in Europe, USA and Asia. These companies turn to Megazyme for their analytical requirements. Megazyme products are used to measure the amylase and protease enzymes in biological washing powders, the cellulase enzymes used to make “stone washed” jeans, and enzymes that are used to increase the digestibility of poultry and pig feeds. The quality of brewers malt is dictated by the levels of the enzymes α-amylase, β-amylase and limit-dextrinase. Megazyme is the sole supplier of specific reagents to measure each of these enzymes, and these reagents are used in industry and research laboratories worldwide. In 2003, Megazyme extended its research facility to house a molecular biology division, aimed at developing capabilities to clone genes to produce enzymes allowing the development of test kits for the wine and food industries. This venture has been very successful, allowing Megazyme to compete with multinational companies involved in this field. There are over 20 different biochemically measurable components in wine that affect quality and Megazyme has developed test kits for each; these components include organic acids, sugars and a number of nitrogen compounds and sulphite. Within five years, Megazyme became the market leader in supply of test kits in Australia, New Zealand and Chile. Much of the wine you drink was analysed and standardised with a test kit developed and supplied from Bray, Ireland. Penetration of markets in USA, France, Spain, Italy and South Africa is proceeding rapidly.

Megazyme is now heavily involved in fungal genomics research, with the aim of producing enzymes that will contribute to developments in biofuels and glycoprotein research. The challenges and opportunities are limitless. Already, several valuable enzymes have been produced through an eukaryotic expression system, and some of these are now offered for sale. Megazyme is also developing an organic chemistry capability to allow the expansion of our range of novel substrates for rapid analysis of enzyme activity. The commitment of Megazyme to “Setting New Standards in Test Technology” has been continually recognised over the years, with Megazyme and founder, Dr McCleary receiving a number of business and scientific awards. Megazyme was named the SFA Small Business Innovator of the Year in Ireland in 2007 and 2009 and McCleary was a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2009. For his contributions to analytical chemistry, in 2002, McCleary was awarded the Harvey W. Wiley Medal by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, USA — this is the most prestigious award given by this Association. He was awarded the Clyde H. Bailey Medal in 2008 by the International Association for Cereal Science and Technology (Europe), the Edith Christensen Award in 2008 and the Applied Research Award in 2009 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists. McCleary is an ISI highly cited author. Currently he is Chair of the Board of the American Association of Cereal Chemists International.

Megazyme International Ireland

Megazyme International Ireland, Bray Business Park, Bray. Co Wicklow.www.megazyme.com

091 LabsProviding a community space for people involved in making electronic and other creative devices.Tyrone House, 47 Eyre Square, Galway. [email protected]

Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, AMLSThe Academy is the recognized professional body responsible for the standard of training and education required to practice medical laboratory science in Ireland.Executive Officer Tom Moloney31 Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8

Advisory Council for Science, Technology and InnovationThe Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation provides policy advice to the Irish Government on medium and long term science, technology and innovation (STI) issues and contributes towards the development and implementation of a coherent and effective national strategy for STI. It provides the primary interface between stakeholders and policymakers in the STI arena. The Council gathers the expertise and experience of members who are recognised leaders in their fields and comprises members from academia, enterprise and professional sectors and a representative from Forfás, Ireland’s policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. The Council is chaired by Dr Tom McCarthy. The ACSTI is a sub-Board of Forfás which manages the work of the Council and provides it with research and analytical [email protected] www.forfas.ie

Alchemists CaféAs an Irish branch of the Café Scientificique movement, informal public discussions about topics of scientific interest are held in cafés, bars, restaurants and other locations outside the academic environment. The movement began in 1998 at Leeds, and have since spread to other centres. Meetings are free and open to everyone but a hat is usually passed around for [email protected]://www.alchemistcafedublin.com

All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group, ICORGA grouping of cancer experts aiming to give patients early access to new [email protected]

AMT Ireland, LimerickEstablished to provide advanced manufacturing consultancy, technical advice and training. AMT centres are at University of Limerick, NUI Galway, University College Dublin and University College Cork.Denis KearneyPlassy Technological Park, Limerick. 061 [email protected]

Applied Nanotechnology Technology Competence Centre, CCANA national organisation established to enable Irish-based companies to increase competitiveness by developing nano-enabled solutions and products that satisfy industry-defined needs. CCAN is led by an industry steering board and can easily access research

expertise from all the major Irish universities. CCAN has offices in CRANN at TCD and the Tyndall National Institute at UCC. One of the Technology Centres established by EI in collaboration with the IDA.Executive Director Dr Alan HynesTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

AquaTTAn organisation founded in 1992 by UCC and NUI Galway to provide project management, dissemination of information, and training in support of sustainable management of aquatic resources.Scientific Officer Dr Gill MarmelsteinPO Box 8989, Dublin 2 01 [email protected]

Armagh ObservatoryAn international research institute promoting the rich heritage of astronomy and related sciences. About 30 astronomers study stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy and its relationship to Earth. There is an active programme of science in the community, and the grounds are open to visitors every day.Director Prof Mark BaileyCollege Hill, Armagh BT61 9DG, Northern Ireland. +44(0)[email protected]://star.arm.ac.uk and http://climate.arm.ac.uk

Artificial Intelligence Association of IrelandA group made up from people working on artificial intelligence in Ireland. There are a number of groups from DCU, Queen’s, TCD, UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, UL, UU, DIT and from industry.Chairman Barry O’SullivanUniversity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]/4c/ucc.ie/aiai

Association of Teachers’ Education Centres in Ireland, ATECIRepresenting 21 full-time centres and 9 part time education centres.Secretary Dolores HammillKildare Education Centre [email protected]

Astronomical Science Group of Ireland, ASGIFounded 1974 to foster scientific links between astronomers working in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Two meetings a year in which researchers present their work.Chair Dr Peter Gallagher01 [email protected]://www.astrophysics.ie/

Astronomy IrelandA large astronomy club running regular events for members including lectures, and selling euipment through their shop in Swords. Freepost PO 2888 Dublin 5.01 8901111sec.astronomy.iewww.astronomy.ie

Astroshack, J65A small privately run observatory run by Dave McDonald in Celbridge. The observatory, recognized by the International Astronomical Union, provides scientific data to the Minor Planet Centre and other organisations.Dave [email protected]

ORGANISATIONSA selection of associations, organisations and public groups

ORG

ANISATIO

NS


Atlantic CorridorFostering growth and development in the Midlands. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and working with partnering organisations in Northern Ireland, the US and Camnada.CEO Jackie GormanMcFadden House, Patrick Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly. [email protected]

Belfast Geologists’ SocietyOpen to amateurs and professionals with an interest in geology. Lectures sandf outings are organised during the [email protected]

Bell LabsEstablished in 2004 as one of the eight international Bell research laboratories run by Alcatel-Lucent. The Lab conducts research in communications technology. Through the Centre for Telecommunications Value Chain Research, there is collaboration with eight Irish universities.Alcatel-Lucent, Blanchardstown Industrial Estate, Dublin 15. [email protected]

Biobank Ireland TrustCollection and storage of tissue for cancer researchClarendon Mews, Lad Lane, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

BioConnectOrganisation established in 2001 as an informal network for people working in biotechnology, life sciences and medical devices. BioConnect works from within Enterprise Ireland.Jim RyanEnterprise Ireland, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3. 01 [email protected]/bioconnect

BioInnovate IrelandBased at NUI Galway. BioInnovate offers a fellowship programme on innovation of medical devices. The programme runs in partnership with the University of Limerick, Dublin City University, RCSI, and UCCProgramme Manager Clodagh BarryNUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland, BEAIEstablished in 1992 for technicians working with electromedical equipment.Biomedical Engineering Department, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork. 021 [email protected]

BioPharma Campus, GalwayA 27 ha (67 acre) area in Galway being developed to fast-track development of bioscience companies.

Biorefining and Bioenergy Competence CentreOne of the Technology Competence Centres established under a joint IDA Enterprise Ireland to foster innovation in industry. The Biorefining and Bioenergy centre is co-hosted by NUI Galway, University of Limerick and University College Dublin.Brendan Lawlor01 [email protected]/ccbb

Biotechnology IrelandA website connecting all those involved in the biotech and lifesciences community in Ireland. Online tools for interaction allow members to post information on the site, including individual and

organisation profiles, news, events, CVs and job vacancies. Members can register online for the face-to-face BioConnect Ireland events. Declan McGeeEnterprise Ireland, East Point, Dublin 3. 01 7272668editor@biotechnologyireland.comwww.biotechnologyireland.com

Bird Watch IrelandOrganisation established in 1968 promoting conservation of birds and biodiversity. Bird Watch Ireland, with 14,000 members, is involved in a number of conservation projects in collaboration with state and other bodies.Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow. 01 [email protected]

Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIMEstablished in 1952 as the state agency responsible for developing sea fishing and aquaculture. BIM provides a range of services including advice, technical, training and marketing support. The BIM Laboratory provides analytical testing of fish and shellfish products, water and environmental samples. Offices in Dublin, Galway, Clonakilty in Cork, Killybegs in Donegal, Castletownbere in Cork, and Greencastle in Co Donegal.Crofton Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Bord na MónaOriginally established 75 years ago to exploit Ireland’s peat, the company has since diversified into energy, environmental and retail services.Corporate Communications Paddy RowlandMain Street, Newbridge, Co Kildare. 045 [email protected]

Botanic GardensExtensive collection of growing plants, herbarium and education centre. The National Botanic Gardens, originally founded by the Royal Dublin society is run under the state’s Office of Public Works.Matthew JebbGlasnevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Botanical Society of the British IslesSociety promoting fieldwork and recording of the flora of Britain and Ireland.Botany Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD. [email protected] www.bsbi.org.uk

Burren Connect ProjectWorking on sustainable management of the Burren region with support of local community, County Council, Geological Survey, National Parks, National Monuments and other stakeholders. In 2011 the Burren was awarded international Geopark status.Edel HayesEnnistymon Area Office, Clare Co Co Ennistymon, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Carna Research StationResearch station for study of the atmosphere.Muigh-Inis, Carna, Co Galway. [email protected]

Centre for Civil Engineering HeritageArchive on books, periodicals, plans and other records relating to civil engineering.Dr R C CoxSchool of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

ORG

ANISATIO

NS


Centre for Cross BorderFostering cross border co-operation in education, health and other areas of all Ireland interest. Andy Pollack39 Abbey Street, Armagh. BT617EB. Northern Ireland. +44 (0) [email protected]

Centre for Inclusive Technology, CFITResearch and development of technology to overcome disabilities.Accessibility Researcher Dr Antoinette FennellWhiteworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Women in Science and EngineeringPromoting advancement of women in science at TCDO’Reilly Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/wiser

Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology, CSETsSFI programme for campus industry partnerships in high-end research. Costs are shared with industry.Science Foundation Ireland.

CoderDojoA network of computer clubs, launched in 2011 at the National Computer Centre in Cork. Since then Dojo clubs have been established in Dublin, Athlone and others are being set up in Limerick and Kerry. At meetings young people learn how to code and develop websites, apps and [email protected]://coderdojo.com/

CofordBased at the Department of Agriculture , Fisheries and Food. Programme of Competitive Forestry Research for Development. The Council, representing the forestry sector, is appointed by the Minister of State, and it is responsible for developing research policy. Coford research covers forestry harvesting, products, quality, species selection and applications for timber.Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 01 6072487

CoillteA state owned commercial company involved with management of natural resources. The company took over the State forests in 1989 and it currently owns about 445,000 hectares of land. The company has a board of directors appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Since the take over in 1989 the company has diversified into three main divisions, panel products, forestry, and business activities developed from core skills and assets.Dublin Road, Newtownkennedy, Co Wicklow. 01 [email protected]

Cork Astronomy ClubEstablished in 1982 the club promotes an interest in all aspects of astronomy and runs a series of lectures. Meetings every month at UCC Civil Engineering building.Secretary Lynda O’Mahony021 [email protected]://www.corkastronomyclub.com/

Cork SkepticsA voluntary group holding regular meetings to promote skepticism and rational thinking about science. The group meet monthly at the CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory.

CrannA voluntary organisation established in 1986 to promote planting and protection of trees, hedgerows and woodlands. Marguerite Arbuthnot-O’BrienPO Box 860, Celbridge, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, DNFCEstablished in 1886, the DNFC fosters the study of natural history and organises field outings for identification and recording of Ireland’s flora and fauna. Secretary Gerry [email protected]

Electricity Supply Board, ESBOriginally the state supplier and generator of electricity, but has since diversified into a number of energy and engineering related areas. Embracing a range of generation, supply, electricity networks infrastructure and international engineering consultancy activities. Businesses include: Electric Ireland, ESB Networks, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), ESB International and ESB Telecoms.Corporate Communications Brian Montayne27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Engineers IrelandOne of the largest and oldest representative bodies with a membership of engineers which now totals over 24,000. The membership incorporates all disciplines of the engineering profession in Ireland across industry, the public service, semi-state organisations and academic institutions.22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Enterprise IrelandThe government agency responsible for development and promotion of Irish industry and business services with strong growth and export potential. EI has a network of 10 regional and 30 overseas offices.Communications Alan HobbsEast Point Business Park, Dublin 3. 01 7272000alan.hobbs@enterprise-ireland.comwww.enterprise-ireland.ie

Environmental Protection Agency, EPAThe statutory body responsible for environmental monitoring, controls and enforcement of regulations. The EPA is based in Johnstown Castle, and has nine other regional offices.Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford. 053 [email protected]

European Clinical Research Infrastructure NetworkA European body with an Irish branch, ICRIN, based at Molecular Medicine Ireland. Networking of clinical research facilities.Susan Lennon85a St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

European Science Events Association. EUSEAProviding a platform of exchange for science communicators across Europe. Members drawn from 36 countries including Ireland.www.euscea.org

ORG

ANIS

ATIO

NS


Atlantic CorridorFostering growth and development in the Midlands. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and working with partnering organisations in Northern Ireland, the US and Camnada.CEO Jackie GormanMcFadden House, Patrick Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly. [email protected]

Belfast Geologists’ SocietyOpen to amateurs and professionals with an interest in geology. Lectures sandf outings are organised during the [email protected]

Bell LabsEstablished in 2004 as one of the eight international Bell research laboratories run by Alcatel-Lucent. The Lab conducts research in communications technology. Through the Centre for Telecommunications Value Chain Research, there is collaboration with eight Irish universities.Alcatel-Lucent, Blanchardstown Industrial Estate, Dublin 15. [email protected]

Biobank Ireland TrustCollection and storage of tissue for cancer researchClarendon Mews, Lad Lane, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

BioConnectOrganisation established in 2001 as an informal network for people working in biotechnology, life sciences and medical devices. BioConnect works from within Enterprise Ireland.Jim RyanEnterprise Ireland, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3. 01 [email protected]/bioconnect

BioInnovate IrelandBased at NUI Galway. BioInnovate offers a fellowship programme on innovation of medical devices. The programme runs in partnership with the University of Limerick, Dublin City University, RCSI, and UCCProgramme Manager Clodagh BarryNUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland, BEAIEstablished in 1992 for technicians working with electromedical equipment.Biomedical Engineering Department, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork. 021 [email protected]

BioPharma Campus, GalwayA 27 ha (67 acre) area in Galway being developed to fast-track development of bioscience companies.

Biorefining and Bioenergy Competence CentreOne of the Technology Competence Centres established under a joint IDA Enterprise Ireland to foster innovation in industry. The Biorefining and Bioenergy centre is co-hosted by NUI Galway, University of Limerick and University College Dublin.Brendan Lawlor01 [email protected]/ccbb

Biotechnology IrelandA website connecting all those involved in the biotech and lifesciences community in Ireland. Online tools for interaction allow members to post information on the site, including individual and

organisation profiles, news, events, CVs and job vacancies. Members can register online for the face-to-face BioConnect Ireland events. Declan McGeeEnterprise Ireland, East Point, Dublin 3. 01 7272668editor@biotechnologyireland.comwww.biotechnologyireland.com

Bird Watch IrelandOrganisation established in 1968 promoting conservation of birds and biodiversity. Bird Watch Ireland, with 14,000 members, is involved in a number of conservation projects in collaboration with state and other bodies.Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow. 01 [email protected]

Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIMEstablished in 1952 as the state agency responsible for developing sea fishing and aquaculture. BIM provides a range of services including advice, technical, training and marketing support. The BIM Laboratory provides analytical testing of fish and shellfish products, water and environmental samples. Offices in Dublin, Galway, Clonakilty in Cork, Killybegs in Donegal, Castletownbere in Cork, and Greencastle in Co Donegal.Crofton Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Bord na MónaOriginally established 75 years ago to exploit Ireland’s peat, the company has since diversified into energy, environmental and retail services.Corporate Communications Paddy RowlandMain Street, Newbridge, Co Kildare. 045 [email protected]

Botanic GardensExtensive collection of growing plants, herbarium and education centre. The National Botanic Gardens, originally founded by the Royal Dublin society is run under the state’s Office of Public Works.Matthew JebbGlasnevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Botanical Society of the British IslesSociety promoting fieldwork and recording of the flora of Britain and Ireland.Botany Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD. [email protected] www.bsbi.org.uk

Burren Connect ProjectWorking on sustainable management of the Burren region with support of local community, County Council, Geological Survey, National Parks, National Monuments and other stakeholders. In 2011 the Burren was awarded international Geopark status.Edel HayesEnnistymon Area Office, Clare Co Co Ennistymon, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Carna Research StationResearch station for study of the atmosphere.Muigh-Inis, Carna, Co Galway. [email protected]

Centre for Civil Engineering HeritageArchive on books, periodicals, plans and other records relating to civil engineering.Dr R C CoxSchool of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

ORG

ANISATIO

NS


Centre for Cross BorderFostering cross border co-operation in education, health and other areas of all Ireland interest. Andy Pollack39 Abbey Street, Armagh. BT617EB. Northern Ireland. +44 (0) [email protected]

Centre for Inclusive Technology, CFITResearch and development of technology to overcome disabilities.Accessibility Researcher Dr Antoinette FennellWhiteworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Women in Science and EngineeringPromoting advancement of women in science at TCDO’Reilly Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/wiser

Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology, CSETsSFI programme for campus industry partnerships in high-end research. Costs are shared with industry.Science Foundation Ireland.

CoderDojoA network of computer clubs, launched in 2011 at the National Computer Centre in Cork. Since then Dojo clubs have been established in Dublin, Athlone and others are being set up in Limerick and Kerry. At meetings young people learn how to code and develop websites, apps and [email protected]://coderdojo.com/

CofordBased at the Department of Agriculture , Fisheries and Food. Programme of Competitive Forestry Research for Development. The Council, representing the forestry sector, is appointed by the Minister of State, and it is responsible for developing research policy. Coford research covers forestry harvesting, products, quality, species selection and applications for timber.Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 01 6072487

CoillteA state owned commercial company involved with management of natural resources. The company took over the State forests in 1989 and it currently owns about 445,000 hectares of land. The company has a board of directors appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Since the take over in 1989 the company has diversified into three main divisions, panel products, forestry, and business activities developed from core skills and assets.Dublin Road, Newtownkennedy, Co Wicklow. 01 [email protected]

Cork Astronomy ClubEstablished in 1982 the club promotes an interest in all aspects of astronomy and runs a series of lectures. Meetings every month at UCC Civil Engineering building.Secretary Lynda O’Mahony021 [email protected]://www.corkastronomyclub.com/

Cork SkepticsA voluntary group holding regular meetings to promote skepticism and rational thinking about science. The group meet monthly at the CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory.

CrannA voluntary organisation established in 1986 to promote planting and protection of trees, hedgerows and woodlands. Marguerite Arbuthnot-O’BrienPO Box 860, Celbridge, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, DNFCEstablished in 1886, the DNFC fosters the study of natural history and organises field outings for identification and recording of Ireland’s flora and fauna. Secretary Gerry [email protected]

Electricity Supply Board, ESBOriginally the state supplier and generator of electricity, but has since diversified into a number of energy and engineering related areas. Embracing a range of generation, supply, electricity networks infrastructure and international engineering consultancy activities. Businesses include: Electric Ireland, ESB Networks, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), ESB International and ESB Telecoms.Corporate Communications Brian Montayne27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Engineers IrelandOne of the largest and oldest representative bodies with a membership of engineers which now totals over 24,000. The membership incorporates all disciplines of the engineering profession in Ireland across industry, the public service, semi-state organisations and academic institutions.22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Enterprise IrelandThe government agency responsible for development and promotion of Irish industry and business services with strong growth and export potential. EI has a network of 10 regional and 30 overseas offices.Communications Alan HobbsEast Point Business Park, Dublin 3. 01 7272000alan.hobbs@enterprise-ireland.comwww.enterprise-ireland.ie

Environmental Protection Agency, EPAThe statutory body responsible for environmental monitoring, controls and enforcement of regulations. The EPA is based in Johnstown Castle, and has nine other regional offices.Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford. 053 [email protected]

European Clinical Research Infrastructure NetworkA European body with an Irish branch, ICRIN, based at Molecular Medicine Ireland. Networking of clinical research facilities.Susan Lennon85a St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

European Science Events Association. EUSEAProviding a platform of exchange for science communicators across Europe. Members drawn from 36 countries including Ireland.www.euscea.org

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Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAIThe FSAI is responsible for ensuring the safety of food produced and distributed in Ireland. The FSAI also ensures that food producers comply with food safety regulations.Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

ForfásForfás is the Government’s national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. Forfas is an agency of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and advises the the Minister and DJEI on a range of policy areas from an enterprise perspectiveincluding science, technology and innovation. Forfas manages the work of and provides research and analytical support to the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. Forfas has a coordinating role in relation to the functions of its sister agencies, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Science FoundationIreland. Forfás also evaluates enterprise policy interventions. The Irish National Accreditation Board, Ireland’s national body within a European network of accredition is a division of Forfas. Forfas hosts the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government.Communications Aideen FitzgeraldWilton House Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected], www.sciencecouncil.ie; www.inab.ie

Friends of the University for the South East, FUSEA group campaigning to have a university in the South East [email protected]

Galway Astronomy ClubMonthly meetings for all who share an interest in astronomy.Chairman Marcus Woerner086 [email protected]://galwayastronomyclub.ie

Geological AssociationThe IGA, established for half a century, is open to all interested in geology and holds a number of field trips, workshops and lectures during each year. [email protected]

Geological Survey of Ireland, GSIGSI is responsible for mapping the mineral and geological resources of Ireland, both onshore and offshore. Key activities include mapping of ground water, geohazards, aggregates and Ireland’s subsurface and promotion of geoparks. GSI runs the national seabed mapping programme, INFOMAR, with the Marine Institute. It also manages the Griffiths Geological Research Programme and a number of EC and externally funded projects including Tellus Border, a geochemical and airborne geophysical survey of the border counties. Beggar’s Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4. 01 6782000gsisales.iewww.gsi.ie

Geological Survey of Northern IrelandGSNI gathers and manages geological data, publishing and archiving maps and reports. GSNI has undertaken an extensive surveying project, Tellus, combining aerial observations with ground work. GSNI operates under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and works closely with its counterpart in the Republic, GSI.Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast. BT95BF +44(0)[email protected]

Geothermal Association of IrelandPromoting the use geothermal energy in Ireland, mainly through recovery of heat from groundwater. The Association presents annual awards for high quality projects.Brecan Mooneyc/o Groundwater Section GSI Beggar’s Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.01 67827844info@geothermalassociation.iewww.geothermalassociation.ie

Genetic Heritage IrelandGHI promotes the conservation of Ireland’s plant and animal resources.Dr Tom Curtis17 Davitt Road, Bray, Co Wicklow. [email protected]

GlycoScience Ireland GSIEstablished in 2007 to encourage and facilitate inter-disciplinary work on glycoscience. GlycoScience us a cluster of scientists from a number of organisations in Ireland provides a forum for dialogue between researchers and industry. Their 5th annual meeting will be held in Galway during October 2012.Professor Lokesh Joshi091 [email protected]

Hamilton Mathematics InstituteFostering mathematics and related disciplines.Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Health Research BoardHRB is responsible for funding health research and has an annaul budget of €40m. Chaired by Reg Shaw. In 2011 105 grants were awarded by HRB. In the same year 38 PhD students were supported.73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Health Services Research Institute, HSRIThe HSRI runs the Health Reserch Board (HRB) funded PhD Scholars Programme in Health Services Research. The programme is a joint initiative of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork and is funded by the Health Research Board in Ireland.RCSI, Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 201 [email protected]

Higher Education Authority, HEAThe authority for planning and development in higher education and research. HEA is the funding body for the universities, institutes and a number of other organisations.Brooklawn House, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

HEAnetProviding a high-capacity Internet service to higher education and research organisations.1st Floor, 5 George’s Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1.01 [email protected]

HRB Clinical Research Facility, Galway, CRFGFacilities for clinical trials, nursing research, controlled storage of medicicinal and biospecimens, and education.Geata an Eolais, University Road, Galway. 01 091 [email protected]

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The final and biggest work programme of the Seventh Programme for research and development (FP7) will be published on 9 July 2012, with an injection of nearly €8 billion into Europe’s research and innovation system.

This represents a crucial opportunity to support growth and jobs at a time when the European economy teeters on the brink of further recession. Our strategy for research and innovation is the essential element for a sustainable competitive economy and directly contributes towards the objectives of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union Flagship, and other EU policies.

The calls address key concerns facing Europeans where action at EU level is essential to address these challenges. They include:

l Oceans of the futurel Waterl Raw materialsl Smart Citiesl Secure clean and efficient energyl Public sector reforml Brain researchl Anti-microbial resistancel Bio Resource Efficiencyl Europe: a destination for world-class researchers

These strategic priorities in WP2013 are linked to the challenges as identified for the focus of research and innovative funding in the next funding programme Horizon 2020 from 2014-2020, directly implementing the EU2020 strategy. This challenge-based approach will bring together resources and knowledge across different fields, technologies and disciplines, including social sciences and the humanities. This will cover activities from research to market with a reinforced focus on innovation-related activities, such as piloting, demonstration, test-beds, and support for public procurement and closer to the market activities.

There is a determined focus to foster new ideas, supporting world class teams tackling significant challenges, and on ensuring that the fruits of our investments can be properly exploited. Without jeopardising the principles of excellence, incentives for the participation of SMES will be put in place, fertilising future growth and job creation. In this way the work programme acts as a bridge towards Horizon 2020 - within the current structure and legal base - and will provide for a smooth transition towards the new programme.

Find out more: www.ec.europa.eu/research

Joint Research Centre— where science meets policyAs the European Commission’s in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) mission is to provide EU policies with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle. With over 2 800 members of staff, three quarters of whom are scientists and technicians, the JRC has a headquarters in Brussels that manages seven different research institutes located in five EU countries: Belgium (Geel), Germany (Karlsruhe), Italy (Geel), the Netherlands (Petten) and Spain (Seville). Each Institute specialises in a different scientific field covering research in: environment and climate change; energy and transport; agriculture and food security; health and consumer protection; information society and digital agenda; safety and security, including nuclear.

This work is complemented by extensive networks and collaborative projects with over 1 000 leading scientific organisations worldwide. In Ireland, the JRC collaborates with partners such as Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Cork, the Food Safety Authority, the Health Service Executive and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Working for the JRC is professionally and personally enriching. It brings together experts from all EU countries and beyond, creating a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural research centre of excellence. In addition, by supporting and advising EU policy-makers, the JRC directly improves the well-being of the European citizen. Finally, the JRC boasts state of

the art laboratories and scientific facilities, for example, the European Solar Test Installation (ESTI), the reference materials laboratory or the Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Interoperability centre. It also manages seven EU reference laboratories dedicated to areas such as alternatives to animal testing, genetically modified food and feed and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The JRC is always looking for high-quality researchers. A third of its staff are on fixed term contracts and each year there are approximately 200 such posts needing to be filled. These include senior scientists, postgraduate and post-doctoral grantholder positions working with a multi-disciplinary approach. All the necessary information about current vacancies and the recruitment process can be found here: http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/jobs

IRMMInstitute for referenceMterials and Measurement

Headquarters

IPTSInstitute for Prospective TechnologicalStudies

IPSCInstitute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen

ISMIspra Site Management

IESInstitute for Environment and Sustainability

IHCPInstitute for Health and Consumer Protection

ITUInstitute for Transuranium Elements

IETInstitute for Energyand Transport

Visit the “Research in Action” exhibitionFind out how robots can assist our daily living, take part in the Sugar Molecules Contest, see a demonstration of a new-to-the-world wave energy convertor, assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and find out more about a coral reef discovered off the West coast of Ireland!

from 9-20 July 2012 (closed 11 July) at —European Commission Representation in Ireland

European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2www.euireland.ie

Visit the EU’s Research & Innovation stand to find out how you can get involved in EU

funded research projects at the ESOF 2012 Conference

11-15 July 2012 www.esof2012.org

Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAIThe FSAI is responsible for ensuring the safety of food produced and distributed in Ireland. The FSAI also ensures that food producers comply with food safety regulations.Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

ForfásForfás is the Government’s national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. Forfas is an agency of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and advises the the Minister and DJEI on a range of policy areas from an enterprise perspectiveincluding science, technology and innovation. Forfas manages the work of and provides research and analytical support to the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. Forfas has a coordinating role in relation to the functions of its sister agencies, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Science FoundationIreland. Forfás also evaluates enterprise policy interventions. The Irish National Accreditation Board, Ireland’s national body within a European network of accredition is a division of Forfas. Forfas hosts the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government.Communications Aideen FitzgeraldWilton House Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected], www.sciencecouncil.ie; www.inab.ie

Friends of the University for the South East, FUSEA group campaigning to have a university in the South East [email protected]

Galway Astronomy ClubMonthly meetings for all who share an interest in astronomy.Chairman Marcus Woerner086 [email protected]://galwayastronomyclub.ie

Geological AssociationThe IGA, established for half a century, is open to all interested in geology and holds a number of field trips, workshops and lectures during each year. [email protected]

Geological Survey of Ireland, GSIGSI is responsible for mapping the mineral and geological resources of Ireland, both onshore and offshore. Key activities include mapping of ground water, geohazards, aggregates and Ireland’s subsurface and promotion of geoparks. GSI runs the national seabed mapping programme, INFOMAR, with the Marine Institute. It also manages the Griffiths Geological Research Programme and a number of EC and externally funded projects including Tellus Border, a geochemical and airborne geophysical survey of the border counties. Beggar’s Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4. 01 6782000gsisales.iewww.gsi.ie

Geological Survey of Northern IrelandGSNI gathers and manages geological data, publishing and archiving maps and reports. GSNI has undertaken an extensive surveying project, Tellus, combining aerial observations with ground work. GSNI operates under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and works closely with its counterpart in the Republic, GSI.Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast. BT95BF +44(0)[email protected]

Geothermal Association of IrelandPromoting the use geothermal energy in Ireland, mainly through recovery of heat from groundwater. The Association presents annual awards for high quality projects.Brecan Mooneyc/o Groundwater Section GSI Beggar’s Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.01 67827844info@geothermalassociation.iewww.geothermalassociation.ie

Genetic Heritage IrelandGHI promotes the conservation of Ireland’s plant and animal resources.Dr Tom Curtis17 Davitt Road, Bray, Co Wicklow. [email protected]


Hamilton Mathematics InstituteFostering mathematics and related disciplines.Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Health Research BoardHRB is responsible for funding health research and has an annaul budget of €40m. Chaired by Reg Shaw. In 2011 105 grants were awarded by HRB. In the same year 38 PhD students were supported.73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Health Services Research Institute, HSRIThe HSRI runs the Health Reserch Board (HRB) funded PhD Scholars Programme in Health Services Research. The programme is a joint initiative of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork and is funded by the Health Research Board in Ireland.RCSI, Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 201 [email protected]

Higher Education Authority, HEAThe authority for planning and development in higher education and research. HEA is the funding body for the universities, institutes and a number of other organisations.Brooklawn House, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

HEAnetProviding a high-capacity Internet service to higher education and research organisations.1st Floor, 5 George’s Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1.01 [email protected]

HRB Clinical Research Facility, Galway, CRFGFacilities for clinical trials, nursing research, controlled storage of medicicinal and biospecimens, and education.Geata an Eolais, University Road, Galway. 01 091 [email protected]

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The final and biggest work programme of the Seventh Programme for research and development (FP7) will be published on 9 July 2012, with an injection of nearly €8 billion into Europe’s research and innovation system.

This represents a crucial opportunity to support growth and jobs at a time when the European economy teeters on the brink of further recession. Our strategy for research and innovation is the essential element for a sustainable competitive economy and directly contributes towards the objectives of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union Flagship, and other EU policies.

The calls address key concerns facing Europeans where action at EU level is essential to address these challenges. They include:

l Oceans of the futurel Waterl Raw materialsl Smart Citiesl Secure clean and efficient energyl Public sector reforml Brain researchl Anti-microbial resistancel Bio Resource Efficiencyl Europe: a destination for world-class researchers

These strategic priorities in WP2013 are linked to the challenges as identified for the focus of research and innovative funding in the next funding programme Horizon 2020 from 2014-2020, directly implementing the EU2020 strategy. This challenge-based approach will bring together resources and knowledge across different fields, technologies and disciplines, including social sciences and the humanities. This will cover activities from research to market with a reinforced focus on innovation-related activities, such as piloting, demonstration, test-beds, and support for public procurement and closer to the market activities.

There is a determined focus to foster new ideas, supporting world class teams tackling significant challenges, and on ensuring that the fruits of our investments can be properly exploited. Without jeopardising the principles of excellence, incentives for the participation of SMES will be put in place, fertilising future growth and job creation. In this way the work programme acts as a bridge towards Horizon 2020 - within the current structure and legal base - and will provide for a smooth transition towards the new programme.

Find out more: www.ec.europa.eu/research

Joint Research Centre— where science meets policyAs the European Commission’s in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) mission is to provide EU policies with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle. With over 2 800 members of staff, three quarters of whom are scientists and technicians, the JRC has a headquarters in Brussels that manages seven different research institutes located in five EU countries: Belgium (Geel), Germany (Karlsruhe), Italy (Geel), the Netherlands (Petten) and Spain (Seville). Each Institute specialises in a different scientific field covering research in: environment and climate change; energy and transport; agriculture and food security; health and consumer protection; information society and digital agenda; safety and security, including nuclear.

This work is complemented by extensive networks and collaborative projects with over 1 000 leading scientific organisations worldwide. In Ireland, the JRC collaborates with partners such as Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Cork, the Food Safety Authority, the Health Service Executive and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Working for the JRC is professionally and personally enriching. It brings together experts from all EU countries and beyond, creating a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural research centre of excellence. In addition, by supporting and advising EU policy-makers, the JRC directly improves the well-being of the European citizen. Finally, the JRC boasts state of

the art laboratories and scientific facilities, for example, the European Solar Test Installation (ESTI), the reference materials laboratory or the Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Interoperability centre. It also manages seven EU reference laboratories dedicated to areas such as alternatives to animal testing, genetically modified food and feed and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The JRC is always looking for high-quality researchers. A third of its staff are on fixed term contracts and each year there are approximately 200 such posts needing to be filled. These include senior scientists, postgraduate and post-doctoral grantholder positions working with a multi-disciplinary approach. All the necessary information about current vacancies and the recruitment process can be found here: http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/jobs

IRMMInstitute for referenceMterials and Measurement

Headquarters

IPTSInstitute for Prospective TechnologicalStudies

IPSCInstitute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen

ISMIspra Site Management

IESInstitute for Environment and Sustainability

IHCPInstitute for Health and Consumer Protection

ITUInstitute for Transuranium Elements

IETInstitute for Energyand Transport

Visit the “Research in Action” exhibitionFind out how robots can assist our daily living, take part in the Sugar Molecules Contest, see a demonstration of a new-to-the-world wave energy convertor, assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and find out more about a coral reef discovered off the West coast of Ireland!

from 9-20 July 2012 (closed 11 July) at —European Commission Representation in Ireland

European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2www.euireland.ie

Visit the EU’s Research & Innovation stand to find out how you can get involved in EU

funded research projects at the ESOF 2012 Conference

11-15 July 2012 www.esof2012.org

Irish Centre for High End Computing, ICHECProvides support, consultancy and training for computer intensive projects.Infrastructure Manager Niall [email protected]

Irish Cleanroom SocietyEstablished in 2000 to provide training and address common issues within the industry, such as energy efficiency and state support. Secretary Peter [email protected]

Irish Clinical Research Infrastructure, ICRINICRIN is part of a project which will attempt to fill all remaining gaps needed to create a world class clinical research capacity in Ireland. ICRIN has been created under a Memorandum of Understanding between UCD, TCD, RCSI, UCC, NUI Galway and Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre (DMMC). ICRIN will be Ireland’s representative within the European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN). 01 4779 820 [email protected]

Irish Coastal Network, ICoNetPromoting good practice in coastal management, and bringing together practitioners, policy makers and researchers.Cathal O’MahonyNaval Base, Haulbowline, Cobh, Co Cork 021 [email protected]://iconet.ucc.ie/

Irish Computer Society, ICSFounded in 1967 as the national body representing information and computer technology professionals. ICS fosters continual development in knowledge and skills and organises events and seminars.Marketing Eoin KiernanCrescent Hall, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Irish Council for Science, Technology, and InnovationEstablished in 1997 to advise the government on science, technology and innovation strategy.Communications Aideen FitzgeraldWilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Irish Energy Research CouncilA government body looking at a national strategy for energy.Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. 01 6782000

Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies, IFASUmbrella group of clubs and societies in Ireland.Chair David [email protected]

Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association, IFFPARepresenting the timber product processors and sawmills.Marian ByronIBEC, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 6051624www.iffpa.ie

Irish Institute of PharmacyThe Institute was formed in 2012 by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) to provide structured education and continued professional development for pharmacists in Ireland. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has been contracted by the PSI to facilitate the establishment of an Institute of Pharmacy.123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Irish Medical Device Association, IMDARepresenting the medical technology sector in Ireland. 250 companies are involved in this sector and exports are worth about €7.2 billion. IMDA is a sector within IBEC.Sharon Higgins84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Irish Medicines BoardThe body responsible for licensing human and veterinary medicines, medical devices and products, and cosmetics.Pat O’MalleyKevin O’Malley House, Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.imb.ie/

Irish Nutrition and Dietetic InstituteNational organisation for clinical nutritionists and dietitians in Ireland.Ashgrove House, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Irish Research CouncilIn March 2012 the councils for humanities (IRCHSS) and science (IRCSET) were brought together under the Irish Research Council. Both are concerned with fostering postgraduate and postdoc skills. Dr Eucharia Meehan from the Higher Education Authority is interim director.

Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology, IRCSET Operating under the HEA, IRCSET funds early career researchers in science, engineering and technology and runs supporting programmes. In late 2011 the two councils of IRCSET and its equivalent body for the humanities, IRCHSS, were amalgamated.Brooklawn House, Crampton Avenue, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Irish Research Staff Association, IRSAEstablished in 2007 to act as an umbreall organisation for research staff in academic institutions. UCC, DCU, NUIG, Queen’s, TCD, UCD and UL staff associations are members of this group.President Gordon DaltonMarine Researcvh Centre, University College Cork. [email protected]://www.irsa.ie/

Irish Robotics GroupThe Irish Robotics Club is a voluntary, non-profit organisation set up to broaden people’s practical interest in robotics, inter-discipline engineering and computer based science. The club facilitates this through talks, workshops and by competing in national events.David [email protected]

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IDA Ireland — Industrial Development Agency IrelandThe government agency promoting inward investment. The agency has a strong record of attracting multinationals and has had significant success in changing over from assembly to research based industries. The IDA has offices throughout Ireland and abroad.Press Officer Thomas McEvoyWilton House, Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Industrial Heritage Association of IrelandThe IHAI was established in 1996 to record and encourage the preservation of sites, monuments and machinery as industrial heritage. [email protected]

Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFIThe state agency responsible for protection, management and conservation of inland fisheries and sea angling resources. Formed in 2010 following amalgamation of central and regional fisheries boards. Operating from eight locations in Ireland.Swords Business Campus, Swords, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Innovation, ResearchDevelopment Group, IRDGAn industry led group of companies involved in research, development and innovation.Managing Director Denis HayesMary Byrne, CommunicationsRegus Pembroke House, 28-32 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.irdg.ie/

Institute for EthicsThe Institute was established in September 2008 with the mission to create ethical awareness in relation to all fields of the university´s activities and to play a leading role in raising public awareness of, and stimulating debate about, ethical issues.Henry Grattan Building, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Chemistry of IrelandRepresenting chemists and promoting chemistry. Founded in 1922 and incorporated as a non-profit body in 1950. The Institute aims to promote the interests of chemistry and its applications.PO Box 9322, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Institute of Physics in Ireland, IOPThe Irish branch of the society, which includes Northern Ireland, promotes study and research in physics and is active in education.Alison Hackettc/o School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Instutes of Technology Ireland, IOTIInstitutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) represent 13 Institutes across Ireland. The Institutes of Technology have a long track record of delivering research, development, innovation and enterprise solutions to industry, ranging from multi-national companies to locally-based SMEs. The Institutes have a strong reputation for delivering employer-focused undergraduate and postgraduate education in STEM and other areas. They have also built up significant expertise within internationally recognized research centres and initiatives,

all aligned with national priority areas. This provides a platform to deliver real change and impact for key sectors of the Irish economy.Andrew Brownlee1st Floor, Fumbally Square, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8.01 [email protected]

Institution of Geologists of IrelandFormed in 1999 to represent professional interests and promote the geosciences in Ireland. c/o School of Geological Sciences University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 7162085www.igi.ie

Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland, INSPIREA collaborative body of ten research institutions involved in nanotechnology supported by PTRLI. The aims are to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence and to provide access to instrumentation, courses and supports.Mary Colclough01 8963022www.inspirenano.com

International Association of Hydrogeologists (Irish Group)The Irish branch of an international association for members working in groundwater resource planning, management, development and protection. Founded in 1976.Secretary Jenny DeakinDepartment of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Ireland Co-operative Oncology Research Group,The, ICORG. An all Ireland network of cancer consultants established in 1996. Chairman is John Kennedy, St James’s60 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. 01 6677211www.icorg.ie

Irish Association of Economic GeologyFormed in 1973 as a professional association for geoscientists in Ireland. Includes geologists working in the universities, industry and the state services.Secretary Noleen [email protected]

Irish Astronomical Association, IAAAmateur astronomical society holding regular meetings in the Bell Theatre, Physics Building, Queen’s University Belfast. Publishing a quarterly newsletter.Secretary Danny Collins30 Lombard Park, Lisburn, Co Antrim BT28 2UJ Northern Ireland www.irishastro.org

Irish Astronomical SocietyLong established society for amateur astronomers holding regular meetings in Dublin.146 Santry Close, Dublin 9. [email protected]://www.irishastrosoc.org/wordpress/

Irish Bioindustry Association, IBIARepresesenting the biotechnology industry in Ireland, the association is affiliated to IBEC.Director Michael GillenConfederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

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Irish Centre for High End Computing, ICHECProvides support, consultancy and training for computer intensive projects.Infrastructure Manager Niall [email protected]

Irish Cleanroom SocietyEstablished in 2000 to provide training and address common issues within the industry, such as energy efficiency and state support. Secretary Peter [email protected]

Irish Clinical Research Infrastructure, ICRINICRIN is part of a project which will attempt to fill all remaining gaps needed to create a world class clinical research capacity in Ireland. ICRIN has been created under a Memorandum of Understanding between UCD, TCD, RCSI, UCC, NUI Galway and Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre (DMMC). ICRIN will be Ireland’s representative within the European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN). 01 4779 820 [email protected]

Irish Coastal Network, ICoNetPromoting good practice in coastal management, and bringing together practitioners, policy makers and researchers.Cathal O’MahonyNaval Base, Haulbowline, Cobh, Co Cork 021 [email protected]://iconet.ucc.ie/

Irish Computer Society, ICSFounded in 1967 as the national body representing information and computer technology professionals. ICS fosters continual development in knowledge and skills and organises events and seminars.Marketing Eoin KiernanCrescent Hall, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Irish Council for Science, Technology, and InnovationEstablished in 1997 to advise the government on science, technology and innovation strategy.Communications Aideen FitzgeraldWilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Irish Energy Research CouncilA government body looking at a national strategy for energy.Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. 01 6782000

Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies, IFASUmbrella group of clubs and societies in Ireland.Chair David [email protected]

Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association, IFFPARepresenting the timber product processors and sawmills.Marian ByronIBEC, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 6051624www.iffpa.ie

Irish Institute of PharmacyThe Institute was formed in 2012 by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) to provide structured education and continued professional development for pharmacists in Ireland. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has been contracted by the PSI to facilitate the establishment of an Institute of Pharmacy.123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Irish Medical Device Association, IMDARepresenting the medical technology sector in Ireland. 250 companies are involved in this sector and exports are worth about €7.2 billion. IMDA is a sector within IBEC.Sharon Higgins84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Irish Medicines BoardThe body responsible for licensing human and veterinary medicines, medical devices and products, and cosmetics.Pat O’MalleyKevin O’Malley House, Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.imb.ie/

Irish Nutrition and Dietetic InstituteNational organisation for clinical nutritionists and dietitians in Ireland.Ashgrove House, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Irish Research CouncilIn March 2012 the councils for humanities (IRCHSS) and science (IRCSET) were brought together under the Irish Research Council. Both are concerned with fostering postgraduate and postdoc skills. Dr Eucharia Meehan from the Higher Education Authority is interim director.

Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology, IRCSET Operating under the HEA, IRCSET funds early career researchers in science, engineering and technology and runs supporting programmes. In late 2011 the two councils of IRCSET and its equivalent body for the humanities, IRCHSS, were amalgamated.Brooklawn House, Crampton Avenue, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Irish Research Staff Association, IRSAEstablished in 2007 to act as an umbreall organisation for research staff in academic institutions. UCC, DCU, NUIG, Queen’s, TCD, UCD and UL staff associations are members of this group.President Gordon DaltonMarine Researcvh Centre, University College Cork. [email protected]://www.irsa.ie/

Irish Robotics GroupThe Irish Robotics Club is a voluntary, non-profit organisation set up to broaden people’s practical interest in robotics, inter-discipline engineering and computer based science. The club facilitates this through talks, workshops and by competing in national events.David [email protected]

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IDA Ireland — Industrial Development Agency IrelandThe government agency promoting inward investment. The agency has a strong record of attracting multinationals and has had significant success in changing over from assembly to research based industries. The IDA has offices throughout Ireland and abroad.Press Officer Thomas McEvoyWilton House, Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Industrial Heritage Association of IrelandThe IHAI was established in 1996 to record and encourage the preservation of sites, monuments and machinery as industrial heritage. [email protected]

Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFIThe state agency responsible for protection, management and conservation of inland fisheries and sea angling resources. Formed in 2010 following amalgamation of central and regional fisheries boards. Operating from eight locations in Ireland.Swords Business Campus, Swords, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Innovation, ResearchDevelopment Group, IRDGAn industry led group of companies involved in research, development and innovation.Managing Director Denis HayesMary Byrne, CommunicationsRegus Pembroke House, 28-32 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.irdg.ie/

Institute for EthicsThe Institute was established in September 2008 with the mission to create ethical awareness in relation to all fields of the university´s activities and to play a leading role in raising public awareness of, and stimulating debate about, ethical issues.Henry Grattan Building, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Chemistry of IrelandRepresenting chemists and promoting chemistry. Founded in 1922 and incorporated as a non-profit body in 1950. The Institute aims to promote the interests of chemistry and its applications.PO Box 9322, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Institute of Physics in Ireland, IOPThe Irish branch of the society, which includes Northern Ireland, promotes study and research in physics and is active in education.Alison Hackettc/o School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Instutes of Technology Ireland, IOTIInstitutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) represent 13 Institutes across Ireland. The Institutes of Technology have a long track record of delivering research, development, innovation and enterprise solutions to industry, ranging from multi-national companies to locally-based SMEs. The Institutes have a strong reputation for delivering employer-focused undergraduate and postgraduate education in STEM and other areas. They have also built up significant expertise within internationally recognized research centres and initiatives,

all aligned with national priority areas. This provides a platform to deliver real change and impact for key sectors of the Irish economy.Andrew Brownlee1st Floor, Fumbally Square, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8.01 [email protected]

Institution of Geologists of IrelandFormed in 1999 to represent professional interests and promote the geosciences in Ireland. c/o School of Geological Sciences University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 7162085www.igi.ie

Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland, INSPIREA collaborative body of ten research institutions involved in nanotechnology supported by PTRLI. The aims are to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence and to provide access to instrumentation, courses and supports.Mary Colclough01 8963022www.inspirenano.com

International Association of Hydrogeologists (Irish Group)The Irish branch of an international association for members working in groundwater resource planning, management, development and protection. Founded in 1976.Secretary Jenny DeakinDepartment of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Ireland Co-operative Oncology Research Group,The, ICORG. An all Ireland network of cancer consultants established in 1996. Chairman is John Kennedy, St James’s60 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. 01 6677211www.icorg.ie

Irish Association of Economic GeologyFormed in 1973 as a professional association for geoscientists in Ireland. Includes geologists working in the universities, industry and the state services.Secretary Noleen [email protected]

Irish Astronomical Association, IAAAmateur astronomical society holding regular meetings in the Bell Theatre, Physics Building, Queen’s University Belfast. Publishing a quarterly newsletter.Secretary Danny Collins30 Lombard Park, Lisburn, Co Antrim BT28 2UJ Northern Ireland www.irishastro.org

Irish Astronomical SocietyLong established society for amateur astronomers holding regular meetings in Dublin.146 Santry Close, Dublin 9. [email protected]://www.irishastrosoc.org/wordpress/

Irish Bioindustry Association, IBIARepresesenting the biotechnology industry in Ireland, the association is affiliated to IBEC.Director Michael GillenConfederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

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Irish Whale and Dolphin Groupwww.iwdg.ie

Kerry Astronomy ClubMembers share an interest in astronomy and take part on observing sessions.Chairman John [email protected]

Marine InstituteThe Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation. The Institute was established in 1991 to co-ordinate a broad range of marine related research and activities. The Marine Institute is based in Galway, has a regional office in Dublin, and has a research station at Newport in Co Mayo.Rinville, Oranmore, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Marine InstituteDublin office of the Marine Institute which has its HQ in Galway.80 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. 01 4766500

Mental Health CommissionAn independent statutory body promoting a high standard in delivery of mental health services. The Mental Health Commission is involved with maintaining standards and training.St Martin’s House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Met ÉireannMet Éireann is the national meterological service monitoring, analysing and predicting weather and climate conditions.Customer Liaison Brian DeleneyGlasbevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Microscopical Society of IrelandA society for all those involved in microscopy. The society holds an annual symposium as the main forum for discussion and presentation of findings.www.microscopy.ie

MidasA grouping of electronics research and industry interests. MIDAS includes the universities and ITs that provide electronics training course.Tyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Midlands Astronomy ClubFormed originally as the Tullamore Astronomical Society in 1986 the club has regular meetings and holds lectures on astronomy.Seanie [email protected]

MiLKabsA hackerspace for people making robotic and other creative [email protected]

Mills and Millers of IrelandFostering restoration and maintenance of old mills.Archivist William Hogghttp://www.millsofireland.org/

Nanonet IrelandAn association of those engaged in the development of nanotechnology in Ireland. NanoNet combines two other groups, the Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland (INSPIRE) and the Competency Centre for Applied Nanotechnology (CANN).Mary Clairer O’ReganTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. [email protected]

National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, NBIPA consortium of imaging and biophotonics laboratories at universities and institutes of technoloigy in Ireland in association with CNRS Montpellier, France, CNR Institure of Biostructure and Bioimaging, Napels, and The Nordic Imaging Network.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.nbip.dcu.ie/

National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences, NCBESAn interdisciplinary body engaged in medical research and development. NCBES is based at NUI Galway and has links to a number of research groups in Ireland and abroad and to industry.Director Prof Frank Barry091 [email protected]

National Digital Research Centre, NDRCBringing digital technology and enterprise together and helping new firms to secure support. NDRC was established in 2007 by DCU, TCD, UCD, IADT and NCAD.Crane Street, Digital Hub, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, NIBRTProviding training, research and services to the bioprocessing industry. NIBRT involves a collaboration between TCD, UCD, DCU, and IT Sligo. The institute was established with funding from the IDA. NIBRT has state-of-the-art bioprocessing plant facilities for research and training in collaboration with a number of pharmaceutical companies.

Director Ian MarisonFoster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

National LibraryThe national collection of books, papers and other documtary records from Ireland’s past. Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

National MuseumThe National Museum has collections in four locations. Natural History is at Merrion Street in Dublin, Archaeology is at Kildare Street in Dublin, Decorative Arts are at the Collins Barracks in Benburb Street, Dublin, and the Folk Museum of County Life is at Turlough, Co Mayo.See destinations. www.museum.ie

National Plaques AssociationThe association places plaques to commemorate people that have contributed to science in Ireland. The project to place plaques began in 1996 and since then more than 100 have been placed in prominent positions around the country.Dr Norman [email protected]

National Space CentreBased at Elfordstown Earthstation, Midleton, Co Cork where there is a 32 metre satellite dish, formerly used for international telecommunications. In 2010 National Space Centre took over control to operate the facilities as an independent deep space radio telescope. Rory FitzpatrickElfordstown Earth Station, Midleton, Co Cork. 021 [email protected]

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Irish Science and Technology Journalists’ Association, ISTJAAn association representing science and technology journalists. ISTJA is affiliated to the European Science Journalists’ Association. The association, formed in 1985, aims to strengthen the position of science journalists in print, broadcasting and other media.Anna [email protected]

Irish Science Centres Awareness Network, iSCANThe group was established in 1997 to promote co-operation and collaboration between organisations and individuals involved in fostering an understanding of science and technology in Ireland.Vice Chair Nigel T Monaghanc/o National Museum Natural History, Kildsare Street, Dublin 2.

01 [email protected]

Irish Science Teachers’ Association, ISTAAn association for science teachers in Ireland with branches throughout the country. Chairperson Mary [email protected]

Irish Software AssociationAn association within IBEC and ICT with membership drawn from over 160 companies involved in softwear in Ireland.Paul SweetmanIBEC, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/

Irish Stem Cell FoundationA group including researchers, doctors and patients advocating greater support for stem cell research. The group aims to provide scientifically accurate information on the current state of research, and they advocate the establishment of appropriate guidelines to enable research to make progress in Ireland.22 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. [email protected]

Marine Biotechnology IrelandLinking marine research with food, health and biotechnology companies.Nationa Co-Ordinator Dr Ilaria NardelloMarine Institute [email protected]

Irish Timber Growers Association, ITGARepresenting private timber growers throughout Ireland.Chairman Brendan Lacey01 [email protected]

Irish Universities AssociationThe representative body for the seven Irish universities. The IUA facilitates collaboration and development of a collective strategy for education and research.Communications and Projects Lia O’Sullivan48 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. 01 6764948lia.osullivan.iewww.iua.ie

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THE PAST decade has seen a growing acknowledgement that catalysing the movement of stem cell research into the clinic must be an international pursuit. The Irish Stem Cell Foundation (www.stemcell.ie) is Ireland’s member organisation

of The International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks (ICSCN). Collectively, the member organisations share information about their mandates and the status of stem cell research in their respective countries. The ICSCN seeks to accelerate stem cell research globally by providing a forum for exchange of best practice and the development of international equivalents of successful national initiatives; encouraging and facilitating the exchange of researchers and trainees between network members; organising and promoting international workshops and symposia, especially on topics where the expertise within any one jurisdiction may be limited; and facilitating communications to help in the coordination of research and translation between different countries.

STEMCELLfoundation

Find out more about the ICSCN and the Irish Stem Cell Foundation at

www.stemcell.ie or follow our activity at

http://twitter.com/irishstemcell


Irish Whale and Dolphin Groupwww.iwdg.ie

Kerry Astronomy ClubMembers share an interest in astronomy and take part on observing sessions.Chairman John [email protected]

Marine InstituteThe Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation. The Institute was established in 1991 to co-ordinate a broad range of marine related research and activities. The Marine Institute is based in Galway, has a regional office in Dublin, and has a research station at Newport in Co Mayo.Rinville, Oranmore, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Marine InstituteDublin office of the Marine Institute which has its HQ in Galway.80 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. 01 4766500

Mental Health CommissionAn independent statutory body promoting a high standard in delivery of mental health services. The Mental Health Commission is involved with maintaining standards and training.St Martin’s House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Met ÉireannMet Éireann is the national meterological service monitoring, analysing and predicting weather and climate conditions.Customer Liaison Brian DeleneyGlasbevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Microscopical Society of IrelandA society for all those involved in microscopy. The society holds an annual symposium as the main forum for discussion and presentation of findings.www.microscopy.ie

MidasA grouping of electronics research and industry interests. MIDAS includes the universities and ITs that provide electronics training course.Tyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Midlands Astronomy ClubFormed originally as the Tullamore Astronomical Society in 1986 the club has regular meetings and holds lectures on astronomy.Seanie [email protected]

MiLKabsA hackerspace for people making robotic and other creative [email protected]

Mills and Millers of IrelandFostering restoration and maintenance of old mills.Archivist William Hogghttp://www.millsofireland.org/

Nanonet IrelandAn association of those engaged in the development of nanotechnology in Ireland. NanoNet combines two other groups, the Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland (INSPIRE) and the Competency Centre for Applied Nanotechnology (CANN).Mary Clairer O’ReganTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. [email protected]

National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, NBIPA consortium of imaging and biophotonics laboratories at universities and institutes of technoloigy in Ireland in association with CNRS Montpellier, France, CNR Institure of Biostructure and Bioimaging, Napels, and The Nordic Imaging Network.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.nbip.dcu.ie/


National Digital Research Centre, NDRCBringing digital technology and enterprise together and helping new firms to secure support. NDRC was established in 2007 by DCU, TCD, UCD, IADT and NCAD.Crane Street, Digital Hub, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, NIBRTProviding training, research and services to the bioprocessing industry. NIBRT involves a collaboration between TCD, UCD, DCU, and IT Sligo. The institute was established with funding from the IDA. NIBRT has state-of-the-art bioprocessing plant facilities for research and training in collaboration with a number of pharmaceutical companies.

Director Ian MarisonFoster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

National LibraryThe national collection of books, papers and other documtary records from Ireland’s past. Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

National MuseumThe National Museum has collections in four locations. Natural History is at Merrion Street in Dublin, Archaeology is at Kildare Street in Dublin, Decorative Arts are at the Collins Barracks in Benburb Street, Dublin, and the Folk Museum of County Life is at Turlough, Co Mayo.See destinations. www.museum.ie

National Plaques AssociationThe association places plaques to commemorate people that have contributed to science in Ireland. The project to place plaques began in 1996 and since then more than 100 have been placed in prominent positions around the country.Dr Norman [email protected]

National Space CentreBased at Elfordstown Earthstation, Midleton, Co Cork where there is a 32 metre satellite dish, formerly used for international telecommunications. In 2010 National Space Centre took over control to operate the facilities as an independent deep space radio telescope. Rory FitzpatrickElfordstown Earth Station, Midleton, Co Cork. 021 [email protected]

ORG

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ATIO

NS


Irish Science and Technology Journalists’ Association, ISTJAAn association representing science and technology journalists. ISTJA is affiliated to the European Science Journalists’ Association. The association, formed in 1985, aims to strengthen the position of science journalists in print, broadcasting and other media.Anna [email protected]

Irish Science Centres Awareness Network, iSCANThe group was established in 1997 to promote co-operation and collaboration between organisations and individuals involved in fostering an understanding of science and technology in Ireland.Vice Chair Nigel T Monaghanc/o National Museum Natural History, Kildsare Street, Dublin 2.

01 [email protected]

Irish Science Teachers’ Association, ISTAAn association for science teachers in Ireland with branches throughout the country. Chairperson Mary [email protected]

Irish Software AssociationAn association within IBEC and ICT with membership drawn from over 160 companies involved in softwear in Ireland.Paul SweetmanIBEC, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/

Irish Stem Cell FoundationA group including researchers, doctors and patients advocating greater support for stem cell research. The group aims to provide scientifically accurate information on the current state of research, and they advocate the establishment of appropriate guidelines to enable research to make progress in Ireland.22 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. [email protected]

Marine Biotechnology IrelandLinking marine research with food, health and biotechnology companies.Nationa Co-Ordinator Dr Ilaria NardelloMarine Institute [email protected]

Irish Timber Growers Association, ITGARepresenting private timber growers throughout Ireland.Chairman Brendan Lacey01 [email protected]

Irish Universities AssociationThe representative body for the seven Irish universities. The IUA facilitates collaboration and development of a collective strategy for education and research.Communications and Projects Lia O’Sullivan48 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. 01 6764948lia.osullivan.iewww.iua.ie

ORG

ANISATIO

NS

THE PAST decade has seen a growing acknowledgement that catalysing the movement of stem cell research into the clinic must be an international pursuit. The Irish Stem Cell Foundation (www.stemcell.ie) is Ireland’s member organisation

of The International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks (ICSCN). Collectively, the member organisations share information about their mandates and the status of stem cell research in their respective countries. The ICSCN seeks to accelerate stem cell research globally by providing a forum for exchange of best practice and the development of international equivalents of successful national initiatives; encouraging and facilitating the exchange of researchers and trainees between network members; organising and promoting international workshops and symposia, especially on topics where the expertise within any one jurisdiction may be limited; and facilitating communications to help in the coordination of research and translation between different countries.

STEMCELLfoundation

Find out more about the ICSCN and the Irish Stem Cell Foundation at

www.stemcell.ie or follow our activity at

http://twitter.com/irishstemcell


Neuroscience IrelandThe aim of the Society is to advance research and education in the neurosciences in Ireland, and to represent Irish neuroscience researchers both nationally and internationally.Communications Officer Anne-Marie MillerSchool of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience Lloyd Institute Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.01 [email protected]://www.neuroscienceireland.org/links.html

Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy SocietyMonthly meetings for people who share an interest in astronomy.Brian Staffordhttp://www.eaas.co.uk

NUIM MakersClubA group at NUIM for makers and creators of robotic and other devices. The group is migrating from a blog (http://bizmad332.biogspot.com)to YouTube as most of what they have to show is on video. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NUIMMakersClub

Ordnance Survey of IrelandThe State body responsible for mapping Ireland. The Survey publishes a range of specialist and tourist maps.Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 890 [email protected]

Patents OfficeThe statutory body responsible for trade marks, protection of intellectual property and granting of patents.Government Buildings, Hebron Road, Kilkenny. 056 7720111 or Lo Call 1890 [email protected]

Pharmaceutical Society of IrelandThe PSI regulates about 4,500 pharmacists, 550 pharmaceutical assistants and 1,700 pharmacies throughout Ireland. The PSI prescribes the qualifations required for practice and provides advice and guidance to members and the public.18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

PharmaChemical IrelandRepresenting the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in Ireland. PCI is one of the sectors within IBEC.Director Matt MoranConfederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Planetary Society in IrelandIreland’s branch of the international Planetary Society. Member are involved in space exploration and astrophysics.Kevin [email protected]

Plant Research IrelandA consortium of scientists working in plant research.Charlie SpillaneFrank [email protected]

ProSilva IrelandPan European organization for foresters advocating management based on natural processes. The Irish branch was established in 2000.35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPIIEstablished in 1992, the RPII is the national organisation with responsibility for ensuring that people in Ireland are protected from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. This is done by regulating the use of ionising radiation, assessing people’s exposure to ionising radiation and advising Government and the public on the prevention of unnecessary exposure.CEO Dr Ann McGarry3 Clonskeagh Square, Dublin 14. 01 [email protected]

Royal Dublin SocietyThe Society was founded in 1731 to promote agriculture, the arts, industry and science in Ireland. National institutions, such as the Botanic Gardens, the National Gallery and Library were established originally by the RDS. The Foundation activities of the Society continue, and membership is open to all. Science and Technology Development Executive Karen SheeranBallsbridge Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Science Foundation Ireland, SFISFI promotes and funds scientific research. SFI is particularly concerned with biotechnology, information and communications technology, and energy. The capital grant for SFI in 2012 is €156 million. SFI supports 28 research centres and provides funding for about 3,000 research positions. Calls for proposals are issued several times a year. In 2012 the Discover Science and Engineering education programme was transferred from Forfás to SFI.Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

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Seed Savers AssociationLocating and preserving varieties of fruit and vegetables.Rossinver, Co Leitrim. 071 9854338www.theorganiccentre.ie

Shannon DevelopmemtRegional development organisation covering County Clare, North Kerry, Limerick, South Offaly and North Tipperary. Shannon Development manages the Shannon Free Zone for business and industry, and promotes tourism in the region. In 2012 plans were announced to bring Shannon Airport and Shannon Development together as a new entiry.Town Centre, Shannon, Co Clare. 061 361555www.shannondevelopment.ie

Shannonside Astronomy ClubMonthly meetings at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and observation sessions.Dave Lillis087 [email protected]

Society for General MicrobiologyThe Society, founded in 1945, is the largest microbiological society in Europe and includes an Irish Division. The Society provides a meeting ground for scientists in microbiological research and in applied fields including medicine, agriculture and industry. It publishes scientific journals, organizes international scientific conferences, and has programmes in education and public policy.Dr William BurnsMarlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG, UK Tel: +44 (0)118 988 [email protected]


Properly finished monitoring boreholes, Co.

Meath (J. Deakin)

Did you know that groundwater feeds into many of our rivers and streams and keeps them flowing in the drier summer months when its not raining?

Did you know that groundwater is recharged by rainfall falling on the land surface and in some places, especially in the west of Ireland, it can travel several kms underground in a matter of hours?

Did you know that the choices we make about how we use our land can impact on the quality of our groundwater resources, and ultimately our drinking water, streams, rivers, estuaries and the ocean?

Did you know that there are simple things you can do if you are drilling your own well that will help protect it from contamination?

Groundwatera hidden resource

Did you know that over most of Ireland, fresh groundwater is hidden in the cracks in the rocks and soils below ground?

Did you know that in many counties groundwater is used as a major source of water for private and public drinking water supplies?

Did you know that hydrogeology is the science of groundwater and that there are many hydrogeologists and groundwater engineers practicing in Ireland that can help you secure a good quality, sustainable groundwater supply, or help you with groundwater management problems?

The Irish branch of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) holds monthly technical discussion meetings, training sessions, and an annual field trip and conference. Membership is open to all.

For further details go to www.iah-ireland.org

Groundwater under the landscape (www.wfdvisual.com)

Society of Irish ForestersFounded n 1952 to represent forestry professionals.Glenaly, Co Wicklow. 0404 [email protected]

Society of Irish Plant Pathologists, SIPPRepresenting scientists who work in the field of plant pathology in Ireland at home and [email protected]

South Kerry astronomy and Cosmology GroupMeetings held every second Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the Old Barracks, Caherciveen. Children’s, adult and visitor astronomy classes and workshops. Julie OrmondeWaterville, Co Kerry. 085 [email protected]

Speleological union of IrelandThe Speleological Union of Ireland is the national organizing body for caving throughout Ireland. Membership is open to anyone interested in caving, for a small fee.Burren Outdoor Centre, Turlough, Bell Harbour, Co Clare. [email protected]

teagascProviding integrated research, advice and training for agriculture and food industries. Teagasc employs 1,500 at 120 locations throughout the Republic. It has three food research centres, the National Food Centres in Dublin and Limerick, and the Dairy Products Research Centre at Moorepark, Co Cork. Teagasc also has an Agricultural Research Centre in Oak Park, Co Carlow.Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow. 059 [email protected]

toGWeekly meetings where members and the public use old and new technologies in creative

ways. The group began meeting in 2009 and now have a space where members have space to work on projects 24/7.Warehouse Unit C, Chancery Lane, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

tree Council of IrelandA non-governmental organisation promoting the care and conservation of trees in Ireland. The body links about 50 different organisations relating to trees.Seismograph House, Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. 01 4931313treescouncil.iewww.treecouncil.ie

udaras na GaeltachtaSupport for social, economic and cultural development in Gaeltacht areas. The authority funds enterprise development in the Gaeltachta.Na Forbacha Co na Gaillimhe 091 [email protected]

wild Geese network of Irish Scientists, wGnISAn all-Ireland network for the Irish scientific, technical and engineering diaspora. Established in 2011 with connections mainly in the US, Canada, Australia and the EU.http://wildgeesenetwork.org

women in Science and technologyA forum for women involved in sciencd, technology, engineering and mathematics.PO Box 3783 Dublin 4. [email protected]://www.witsireland.com/cms/

woodlands of Ireland ProjectPromoting management and expansion of native woodlands.Seismograph House, Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. [email protected]

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nS


Neuroscience IrelandThe aim of the Society is to advance research and education in the neurosciences in Ireland, and to represent Irish neuroscience researchers both nationally and internationally.Communications Officer Anne-Marie MillerSchool of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience Lloyd Institute Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.01 [email protected]://www.neuroscienceireland.org/links.html

Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy SocietyMonthly meetings for people who share an interest in astronomy.Brian Staffordhttp://www.eaas.co.uk

NUIM MakersClubA group at NUIM for makers and creators of robotic and other devices. The group is migrating from a blog (http://bizmad332.biogspot.com)to YouTube as most of what they have to show is on video. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NUIMMakersClub

Ordnance Survey of IrelandThe State body responsible for mapping Ireland. The Survey publishes a range of specialist and tourist maps.Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 890 [email protected]

Patents OfficeThe statutory body responsible for trade marks, protection of intellectual property and granting of patents.Government Buildings, Hebron Road, Kilkenny. 056 7720111 or Lo Call 1890 [email protected]

Pharmaceutical Society of IrelandThe PSI regulates about 4,500 pharmacists, 550 pharmaceutical assistants and 1,700 pharmacies throughout Ireland. The PSI prescribes the qualifations required for practice and provides advice and guidance to members and the public.18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

PharmaChemical IrelandRepresenting the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in Ireland. PCI is one of the sectors within IBEC.Director Matt MoranConfederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Planetary Society in IrelandIreland’s branch of the international Planetary Society. Member are involved in space exploration and astrophysics.Kevin [email protected]

Plant Research IrelandA consortium of scientists working in plant research.Charlie SpillaneFrank [email protected]

ProSilva IrelandPan European organization for foresters advocating management based on natural processes. The Irish branch was established in 2000.35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPIIEstablished in 1992, the RPII is the national organisation with responsibility for ensuring that people in Ireland are protected from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. This is done by regulating the use of ionising radiation, assessing people’s exposure to ionising radiation and advising Government and the public on the prevention of unnecessary exposure.CEO Dr Ann McGarry3 Clonskeagh Square, Dublin 14. 01 [email protected]

Royal Dublin SocietyThe Society was founded in 1731 to promote agriculture, the arts, industry and science in Ireland. National institutions, such as the Botanic Gardens, the National Gallery and Library were established originally by the RDS. The Foundation activities of the Society continue, and membership is open to all. Science and Technology Development Executive Karen SheeranBallsbridge Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Science Foundation Ireland, SFISFI promotes and funds scientific research. SFI is particularly concerned with biotechnology, information and communications technology, and energy. The capital grant for SFI in 2012 is €156 million. SFI supports 28 research centres and provides funding for about 3,000 research positions. Calls for proposals are issued several times a year. In 2012 the Discover Science and Engineering education programme was transferred from Forfás to SFI.Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

ORG

ANISATIO

NS

Seed Savers AssociationLocating and preserving varieties of fruit and vegetables.Rossinver, Co Leitrim. 071 9854338www.theorganiccentre.ie

Shannon DevelopmemtRegional development organisation covering County Clare, North Kerry, Limerick, South Offaly and North Tipperary. Shannon Development manages the Shannon Free Zone for business and industry, and promotes tourism in the region. In 2012 plans were announced to bring Shannon Airport and Shannon Development together as a new entiry.Town Centre, Shannon, Co Clare. 061 361555www.shannondevelopment.ie

Shannonside Astronomy ClubMonthly meetings at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and observation sessions.Dave Lillis087 [email protected]

Society for General MicrobiologyThe Society, founded in 1945, is the largest microbiological society in Europe and includes an Irish Division. The Society provides a meeting ground for scientists in microbiological research and in applied fields including medicine, agriculture and industry. It publishes scientific journals, organizes international scientific conferences, and has programmes in education and public policy.Dr William BurnsMarlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG, UK Tel: +44 (0)118 988 [email protected]


Properly finished monitoring boreholes, Co.

Meath (J. Deakin)

Did you know that groundwater feeds into many of our rivers and streams and keeps them flowing in the drier summer months when its not raining?

Did you know that groundwater is recharged by rainfall falling on the land surface and in some places, especially in the west of Ireland, it can travel several kms underground in a matter of hours?

Did you know that the choices we make about how we use our land can impact on the quality of our groundwater resources, and ultimately our drinking water, streams, rivers, estuaries and the ocean?

Did you know that there are simple things you can do if you are drilling your own well that will help protect it from contamination?

Groundwatera hidden resource

Did you know that over most of Ireland, fresh groundwater is hidden in the cracks in the rocks and soils below ground?

Did you know that in many counties groundwater is used as a major source of water for private and public drinking water supplies?

Did you know that hydrogeology is the science of groundwater and that there are many hydrogeologists and groundwater engineers practicing in Ireland that can help you secure a good quality, sustainable groundwater supply, or help you with groundwater management problems?

The Irish branch of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) holds monthly technical discussion meetings, training sessions, and an annual field trip and conference. Membership is open to all.

For further details go to www.iah-ireland.org

Groundwater under the landscape (www.wfdvisual.com)

Society of Irish ForestersFounded n 1952 to represent forestry professionals.Glenaly, Co Wicklow. 0404 [email protected]

Society of Irish Plant Pathologists, SIPPRepresenting scientists who work in the field of plant pathology in Ireland at home and [email protected]

South Kerry astronomy and Cosmology GroupMeetings held every second Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the Old Barracks, Caherciveen. Children’s, adult and visitor astronomy classes and workshops. Julie OrmondeWaterville, Co Kerry. 085 [email protected]

Speleological union of IrelandThe Speleological Union of Ireland is the national organizing body for caving throughout Ireland. Membership is open to anyone interested in caving, for a small fee.Burren Outdoor Centre, Turlough, Bell Harbour, Co Clare. [email protected]

teagascProviding integrated research, advice and training for agriculture and food industries. Teagasc employs 1,500 at 120 locations throughout the Republic. It has three food research centres, the National Food Centres in Dublin and Limerick, and the Dairy Products Research Centre at Moorepark, Co Cork. Teagasc also has an Agricultural Research Centre in Oak Park, Co Carlow.Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow. 059 [email protected]

toGWeekly meetings where members and the public use old and new technologies in creative

ways. The group began meeting in 2009 and now have a space where members have space to work on projects 24/7.Warehouse Unit C, Chancery Lane, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

tree Council of IrelandA non-governmental organisation promoting the care and conservation of trees in Ireland. The body links about 50 different organisations relating to trees.Seismograph House, Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. 01 4931313treescouncil.iewww.treecouncil.ie

udaras na GaeltachtaSupport for social, economic and cultural development in Gaeltacht areas. The authority funds enterprise development in the Gaeltachta.Na Forbacha Co na Gaillimhe 091 [email protected]

wild Geese network of Irish Scientists, wGnISAn all-Ireland network for the Irish scientific, technical and engineering diaspora. Established in 2011 with connections mainly in the US, Canada, Australia and the EU.http://wildgeesenetwork.org

women in Science and technologyA forum for women involved in sciencd, technology, engineering and mathematics.PO Box 3783 Dublin 4. [email protected]://www.witsireland.com/cms/

woodlands of Ireland ProjectPromoting management and expansion of native woodlands.Seismograph House, Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. [email protected]

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ACORN Research GroupThe Applied Control for Distributed Renewable Energy Systems (ACORN) Research Group undertakes multi-disciplinary work on sustainable energy management in the industrial, commercial and utility sectors. The key themes include renewable energy technologies, sustainable manufacturing, smart grids and environmental management.John CosgroveLimerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick.061 [email protected]

Advanced Automotive Electronic Control Group, AAECGThe Group performs research, consultancy and training in software and electronic systems applicable to automotive applications. Principal areas of interest include automotive network optimisation, advances in automotive networks and diagnostics, telematics and image recognition. The group is also engaged in the application of CAN networking in industrial automation via DeviceNet and CANOpenHenry AchensonWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/aaecg

Advanced Drug Delivery GroupCombining the expertise of group members in formulation science, cell culture models, molecular biology and physical chemistry to better methods of drug delivery.Director of Research Dr Carsten EhrhardtSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin,Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.pharmacy.tcd.ie/

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Group, AMTGroup established in 1995 with focus on automation in manufacturing processes. The key thematic areas of research are highly applicable to modern industry, including nanotechnology, automation and microfluidics.jim Lawlor

Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/amt

Alimentary Glycoscience Research Cluster, AGRCA grouping of research interests established in 2009 and led from NUI Galway. The group, working with industrial partners, explores the role of sugars in the gut.Prof Lokesh JoshiNational Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]

Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, APCResearch on gastrointestinal health and the role of microorganisms in the gut.Communications and Outreach Dr Catherine BuckleyBiosciences Institute University College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]://.apc.ucc.ie; and http://microbemagic.ucc.ie (for children)

AmerginA centre for sustainable development at Tipperary Institute of Technology. Involved in rural development and has a focus on bioenergy.Administrator Maureen RyanTipperary Institute of Technology [email protected]

AMT Ireland, CorkResearch and development in process engineering.Dr Barry O’ConnorDept of Food Engineering, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]/home.aspx

Analytical and Biological Chemistry, ABCRFResearch facility and mass spectrometry laboratory at UCC established with PTRLI support.Prof Anita MaguireCavanagh Pharmacy Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]/en/abcrf

Animal Behaviour CentreResearch on behavioural aspects of domestic, farm and zoo animal well-being.Director Dr Deborah WellsSchool of Psychology Queen’s University Belfast. Belfat BT7 1NN 038 [email protected]

ANSINResearch centre working in partnership with Seagate Technology on computer hard drives, new and improved sensors and a host of advanced coatings.School of Mathematics and Physics Queen’s University Belfast Belfast BT7 1NN 028 [email protected]

Antenna and High Frequency Research Centre, AHFRSpecialising in analysis, design and measurement of RF and microwave devices for wireless communications and medical applications.Director Max AmmannDublin Institute of Technology. 01 [email protected]

Applied Electrochemistry GroupCarrying out research in electrochemistry and its prctical applications in industry. Prof John CassidyFocas InstituteDublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8.

Applied Intelligence Research CentreResearching the application of computational intelligence to real world problems. The core competencies include machine ,earning, language technologies, intelligent agents and data analytic.Dr Sarah DelanyDublin Institute of Technology. 01 [email protected]/aigroup/

Applied Optics GroupWorking closely with physics, biophotonics, tissue optics and other groups, research covers a wide range of applied optics and imaging.Director Prof Chris DaintyNUI Galway.

Applied Physics Research GroupA multi-faceted research group whose activities range from conducting oxide surface science investigations, spin electronics, the fabrication and characterisation of nanowire arrays.Prof Igot ShvetsSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, AFDCA centre for aquaculture and fisheries research. Research includes work on fish biology, shellfish health, marine mammals and fishing practices.Director Dr Sarah CullotyCooperage Building, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork. 021 [email protected]

ArcLabsEstablished by WIT and TSSG to provide a one-stop shop for ICT firms to enable them to locate in the SE. There are connections now to over 18 companies in the region.Manager Tom CorcoranWaterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Artificial Intelligence and Applications, AIAGroup Leader Prof Wang HuiSchool of Computing and Mathematics, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, 028 [email protected]

Artificial Intelligence Group, AIGConducting basic and applied research in a number of areas, including: computational linguistics, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, multimodal interaction analysis, dialogue systems, intelligent agents and logic programming.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961765www.scss.tcd.ie

Astronomy and Instrumentation GroupThe group has a focus on high precision photometry using CCDs, processing large volumes of dfata, robotic telescope systems, and radio observation of active galactic nuclei. The group is also actively involved with the Blackrock Observatory which is open to the public.Bishopstown, Cork.

RESEARCH GROUPSA selection of centres and organisations involved in research

While all the larger groups and centres are listed here, we have also included many smaller teams and individual researchers currently at work in Irish institutions.

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Astrophysics Research Centre, QUBAt Queen’s University Belfast School of Mathematics and Physics. Research topics include wide-field astronomy and time domain studies,Director Prof Stephen SmarttAstrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, Queen’s University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, [email protected]://star.pst.qub.ac.uk

Astrophysics Research GroupConducting research on solar flares, novae, stellar winds and other aspects of astrophysics.Astrophysics Course Director Dr Peter GallagherSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin,Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Atlantia Food CRODelivering human dietary intervention studies to food companies globally.Director Dr Sally CudmoreAlimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Atmospheric and Environmental Physics ClusterBringing climate modelling, atmospheric composition, and ocean exchange research together into one cluster.NUI Galway

Atomistic Simulation Centre, ASCThe group is working in the theory and modelling of molecular, liquid and solid systems at the atomic scale.School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast. Belfast BT7 1NN [email protected]

Automotive Control GroupEstablished at WIT in 2000 to develop software and hardware systems for automobile applications.Brendan JackmanWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/Research/

Behavioural Development and Welfare ClusterInvestigating the biological basis of behaviour and its impact on health and welfare.Director Deborah WellsSchool of Psychology, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN. [email protected]

Behavioural Ecology and Biocontrol LaboratoryConducting research on the use of parasitic nematodes as biological pesticices.Head of Laboratory Dr Christine T GriffinNUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Behavioural Neuroscience and Applied Behavioural AnalysisResearch into Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases using molecular, histological and other neurobiological procedures and applied behavioural work on Autism. Prof Julian LesliePsychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, 028 [email protected]

Bioengineering Technology CentreOrthopedics, biomechanics, design, FEA and CFD analysis and the application of rapid prototyping in the field of medicine. Dr Fiona EvoyDr Stephen TiernanInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24 01 4042000fiona.mcevoy@itdublin and [email protected]

BIO-ExploreResearch over wide area of bio-analysis and controls incuding characterisation of toxins, DNA profiling, and screening for novel antimicrobialsCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Bio-incubation CentreProviding bioincubation facilities.Dr Fiona ShalloeTrinity College Dublin, Pearse Street Enterprise Centre, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/SITE/UPLOAD/DOCUMENT/TCDpearseBiolcubator.pdf

Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution UnitA grouping of three labs at NUIM working on computational analysis of genes, proteines and genomes, and their interactions.Department of Biology, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 7083860http://bioinf.nuim.ie/

BioinformaticsDeveloping novel bioinformatics tools and systems. Dr Werner DubitzkyUniversity of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co Londonderry. BT521SA, Northern Ireland. [email protected]/~cbbg23/interests.html

Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology Centre, BESTResearch and development of optical, humidity, gas and biomedical sensors and electrode implants for medical applications.Jordanstown Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT370QB, Northern Ireland. [email protected]/best

Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, BDIThe Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) is a multidisciplinary research institute focused on the development of next generation point-of-care biomedical diagnostic devices. A Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded Centre for Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET), the BDI has developed a cutting edge collaborative research programme involving leading researchers from academic institutions, companies and the clinical environment to form a complementary, integrated cohesive partnership. Prof Michael BerndtNational Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Biomedical Engineering in IrelandCurrently focused on research into bovine bone fractures and damage. Dr John HessionInstitute of Technology Sligo, Sligo.

Biomedical Engineering, IT Sligo, GroupGroup in 1998 and at present the main focus is on orthopedics and bone fracturing.Institute of Technology Sligo Ballinode, Sligo. 071 [email protected]/research

Biomedical Research ClusterCollaboration between WIT research staff and clinicians in Waterford Regional Hospital on addressing cancer, vascular health, diabetes and bone problems. Dr Orla O’Donovan

Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Waterford, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, BMSRIConducting research on gene-nutrient interactions, degenerative diseases and application of molecular advances in medicine.School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine. 28 70124163 [email protected]

BIOMERIT, UCCMultidisciplinary research on immunology, microbiology, genomics and biotechnology. Prof Fergal O’GaraUniverity College Cork, Microbiology Department, Cork. 021 [email protected]/biomerit/

Bio-Pharmaceutical and Neutroceutical Research CentreThe team is working on antimicriobial peptides and is collaborating with industry andresearchers at DCU, NUIM and other institutions. The centre is managed jointly by Drs J Behan and M Costello.John BehanTallaght Institute of Technology, Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Bioprocess Engineering Research GroupResearch on characteristics and behaviour of cells during bioprocessing.Administrative Officer Aoife CarneyUCD School of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 7161825chemical.eng.ucd.ie

BioserveDeveloping in-vitro toxicology tests for industry.Director Dr Paul TomkinAthlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]

Bioscience Research Institute, BRIEngaged in research on biopolymers and pharmacologically active compounds and materials. Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 090 [email protected]

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ACORN Research GroupThe Applied Control for Distributed Renewable Energy Systems (ACORN) Research Group undertakes multi-disciplinary work on sustainable energy management in the industrial, commercial and utility sectors. The key themes include renewable energy technologies, sustainable manufacturing, smart grids and environmental management.John CosgroveLimerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick.061 [email protected]

Advanced Automotive Electronic Control Group, AAECGThe Group performs research, consultancy and training in software and electronic systems applicable to automotive applications. Principal areas of interest include automotive network optimisation, advances in automotive networks and diagnostics, telematics and image recognition. The group is also engaged in the application of CAN networking in industrial automation via DeviceNet and CANOpenHenry AchensonWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/aaecg

Advanced Drug Delivery GroupCombining the expertise of group members in formulation science, cell culture models, molecular biology and physical chemistry to better methods of drug delivery.Director of Research Dr Carsten EhrhardtSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin,Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]://www.pharmacy.tcd.ie/

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Group, AMTGroup established in 1995 with focus on automation in manufacturing processes. The key thematic areas of research are highly applicable to modern industry, including nanotechnology, automation and microfluidics.jim Lawlor

Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/amt

Alimentary Glycoscience Research Cluster, AGRCA grouping of research interests established in 2009 and led from NUI Galway. The group, working with industrial partners, explores the role of sugars in the gut.Prof Lokesh JoshiNational Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]

Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, APCResearch on gastrointestinal health and the role of microorganisms in the gut.Communications and Outreach Dr Catherine BuckleyBiosciences Institute University College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]://.apc.ucc.ie; and http://microbemagic.ucc.ie (for children)

AmerginA centre for sustainable development at Tipperary Institute of Technology. Involved in rural development and has a focus on bioenergy.Administrator Maureen RyanTipperary Institute of Technology [email protected]

AMT Ireland, CorkResearch and development in process engineering.Dr Barry O’ConnorDept of Food Engineering, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]/home.aspx

Analytical and Biological Chemistry, ABCRFResearch facility and mass spectrometry laboratory at UCC established with PTRLI support.Prof Anita MaguireCavanagh Pharmacy Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]/en/abcrf

Animal Behaviour CentreResearch on behavioural aspects of domestic, farm and zoo animal well-being.Director Dr Deborah WellsSchool of Psychology Queen’s University Belfast. Belfat BT7 1NN 038 [email protected]

ANSINResearch centre working in partnership with Seagate Technology on computer hard drives, new and improved sensors and a host of advanced coatings.School of Mathematics and Physics Queen’s University Belfast Belfast BT7 1NN 028 [email protected]

Antenna and High Frequency Research Centre, AHFRSpecialising in analysis, design and measurement of RF and microwave devices for wireless communications and medical applications.Director Max AmmannDublin Institute of Technology. 01 [email protected]

Applied Electrochemistry GroupCarrying out research in electrochemistry and its prctical applications in industry. Prof John CassidyFocas InstituteDublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8.

Applied Intelligence Research CentreResearching the application of computational intelligence to real world problems. The core competencies include machine ,earning, language technologies, intelligent agents and data analytic.Dr Sarah DelanyDublin Institute of Technology. 01 [email protected]/aigroup/

Applied Optics GroupWorking closely with physics, biophotonics, tissue optics and other groups, research covers a wide range of applied optics and imaging.Director Prof Chris DaintyNUI Galway.

Applied Physics Research GroupA multi-faceted research group whose activities range from conducting oxide surface science investigations, spin electronics, the fabrication and characterisation of nanowire arrays.Prof Igot ShvetsSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, AFDCA centre for aquaculture and fisheries research. Research includes work on fish biology, shellfish health, marine mammals and fishing practices.Director Dr Sarah CullotyCooperage Building, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork. 021 [email protected]

ArcLabsEstablished by WIT and TSSG to provide a one-stop shop for ICT firms to enable them to locate in the SE. There are connections now to over 18 companies in the region.Manager Tom CorcoranWaterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Artificial Intelligence and Applications, AIAGroup Leader Prof Wang HuiSchool of Computing and Mathematics, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, 028 [email protected]

Artificial Intelligence Group, AIGConducting basic and applied research in a number of areas, including: computational linguistics, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, multimodal interaction analysis, dialogue systems, intelligent agents and logic programming.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961765www.scss.tcd.ie

Astronomy and Instrumentation GroupThe group has a focus on high precision photometry using CCDs, processing large volumes of dfata, robotic telescope systems, and radio observation of active galactic nuclei. The group is also actively involved with the Blackrock Observatory which is open to the public.Bishopstown, Cork.

RESEARCH GROUPSA selection of centres and organisations involved in research

While all the larger groups and centres are listed here, we have also included many smaller teams and individual researchers currently at work in Irish institutions.

RESEARCH

ERS


Astrophysics Research Centre, QUBAt Queen’s University Belfast School of Mathematics and Physics. Research topics include wide-field astronomy and time domain studies,Director Prof Stephen SmarttAstrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, Queen’s University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, [email protected]://star.pst.qub.ac.uk

Astrophysics Research GroupConducting research on solar flares, novae, stellar winds and other aspects of astrophysics.Astrophysics Course Director Dr Peter GallagherSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin,Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Atlantia Food CRODelivering human dietary intervention studies to food companies globally.Director Dr Sally CudmoreAlimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Atmospheric and Environmental Physics ClusterBringing climate modelling, atmospheric composition, and ocean exchange research together into one cluster.NUI Galway

Atomistic Simulation Centre, ASCThe group is working in the theory and modelling of molecular, liquid and solid systems at the atomic scale.School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast. Belfast BT7 1NN [email protected]

Automotive Control GroupEstablished at WIT in 2000 to develop software and hardware systems for automobile applications.Brendan JackmanWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/Research/

Behavioural Development and Welfare ClusterInvestigating the biological basis of behaviour and its impact on health and welfare.Director Deborah WellsSchool of Psychology, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN. [email protected]

Behavioural Ecology and Biocontrol LaboratoryConducting research on the use of parasitic nematodes as biological pesticices.Head of Laboratory Dr Christine T GriffinNUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Behavioural Neuroscience and Applied Behavioural AnalysisResearch into Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases using molecular, histological and other neurobiological procedures and applied behavioural work on Autism. Prof Julian LesliePsychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, 028 [email protected]

Bioengineering Technology CentreOrthopedics, biomechanics, design, FEA and CFD analysis and the application of rapid prototyping in the field of medicine. Dr Fiona EvoyDr Stephen TiernanInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24 01 4042000fiona.mcevoy@itdublin and [email protected]

BIO-ExploreResearch over wide area of bio-analysis and controls incuding characterisation of toxins, DNA profiling, and screening for novel antimicrobialsCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Bio-incubation CentreProviding bioincubation facilities.Dr Fiona ShalloeTrinity College Dublin, Pearse Street Enterprise Centre, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/SITE/UPLOAD/DOCUMENT/TCDpearseBiolcubator.pdf

Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution UnitA grouping of three labs at NUIM working on computational analysis of genes, proteines and genomes, and their interactions.Department of Biology, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 7083860http://bioinf.nuim.ie/

BioinformaticsDeveloping novel bioinformatics tools and systems. Dr Werner DubitzkyUniversity of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co Londonderry. BT521SA, Northern Ireland. [email protected]/~cbbg23/interests.html

Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology Centre, BESTResearch and development of optical, humidity, gas and biomedical sensors and electrode implants for medical applications.Jordanstown Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT370QB, Northern Ireland. [email protected]/best

Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, BDIThe Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) is a multidisciplinary research institute focused on the development of next generation point-of-care biomedical diagnostic devices. A Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded Centre for Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET), the BDI has developed a cutting edge collaborative research programme involving leading researchers from academic institutions, companies and the clinical environment to form a complementary, integrated cohesive partnership. Prof Michael BerndtNational Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Biomedical Engineering in IrelandCurrently focused on research into bovine bone fractures and damage. Dr John HessionInstitute of Technology Sligo, Sligo.

Biomedical Engineering, IT Sligo, GroupGroup in 1998 and at present the main focus is on orthopedics and bone fracturing.Institute of Technology Sligo Ballinode, Sligo. 071 [email protected]/research

Biomedical Research ClusterCollaboration between WIT research staff and clinicians in Waterford Regional Hospital on addressing cancer, vascular health, diabetes and bone problems. Dr Orla O’Donovan

Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Waterford, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, BMSRIConducting research on gene-nutrient interactions, degenerative diseases and application of molecular advances in medicine.School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine. 28 70124163 [email protected]

BIOMERIT, UCCMultidisciplinary research on immunology, microbiology, genomics and biotechnology. Prof Fergal O’GaraUniverity College Cork, Microbiology Department, Cork. 021 [email protected]/biomerit/

Bio-Pharmaceutical and Neutroceutical Research CentreThe team is working on antimicriobial peptides and is collaborating with industry andresearchers at DCU, NUIM and other institutions. The centre is managed jointly by Drs J Behan and M Costello.John BehanTallaght Institute of Technology, Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Bioprocess Engineering Research GroupResearch on characteristics and behaviour of cells during bioprocessing.Administrative Officer Aoife CarneyUCD School of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 7161825chemical.eng.ucd.ie

BioserveDeveloping in-vitro toxicology tests for industry.Director Dr Paul TomkinAthlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]

Bioscience Research Institute, BRIEngaged in research on biopolymers and pharmacologically active compounds and materials. Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 090 [email protected]

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Biosciences and Translational ResearchConducting research on bio and neural engineering involving the interface between electronics and the nervous system.School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

BioSciences Institute, BSIThe research arm of the School of Life Sciences, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Thjerapeutics.University College Cork Biochemistry Department. 021 [email protected]/en/bsi

Biotechnology LaboratoryThe group, with a number of adacemic and industrial partners, is working on microbial pathogenicity and identification of diagnostic and therapeutic targets.Head of Laboratory Prof SeanDoyleNUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Bone and Tissue Engineering Research GroupThe group carries out research in a wide variety of areas including tissue engineering of bone and cartilage, regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, drug delivery, gene therapy

and angiogenesis and collaborates with the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering and REMEDI (NUIG) and other national and international partners.01 402 [email protected]/boneresearch

Boole Centre for Research in informaticsbringing together the expertise of the School of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Computer Science at University College Cork to carry out interdisciplinary research under the banner of Informatics.Room 2.51 Western Gateway Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Bridge and Transport Research GroupGroup at UCD working closely with other national and international institutions, in the field of bridge and transport engineering research development. Dr Ken GavinUCD School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Built Environment Research InstituteThe Built Environment Research Institute is the University of Ulster’s focus for research activities relating to sustainable technologies, alternative and renewable energy sources, fire and hydrogen safety engineering, development, management, regulation and conservation of the built environment.Director, Prof Stanley [email protected]

Callan InstituteThe Callan Institute’s area of expertise is in electronic and software systems, wireless communications and in data mining, knowledge extraction and cognition. As a group, we wish to blend focussed basic research with a systems perspective that drives cross-disciplinary developments, essential in tackling the new challenges arising from the need for a more sustainable, knowledge-driven society. Joanna O’GradyNational University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Cancer BiologyIndisciplinary research cluster including investigators from science, engineering and medicine.University College Cork www.ucc.ie/en/cancerbiology

Cancer ConsortiumAgreement between the US National Cancer Institute, Dept of Health in NI, and Dept of Health in ROI. The aim is to improve access to treatment, strengthen research, and to run trials.

Cell Culture Engineering Researdh CentreThe group is involved in the study and application of metabolic and process engineering of animal cells. Prof Mohamed Al-RubeaiSchool of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Cell Signalling LaboratorySee Institute of Immunology, NUIM

Cellular Immunology LaboratoryResearch focus on response of immune system and how it can be modified to improve human health. Dr Bernard MahonSee Institute of Immunology, NUIM 01 [email protected]

www.teagasc.ie

Leading the Development of Ireland’s Farming and Food Industry

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, supports science based innovation in the agri-food sector and the wider bioeconomy to underpin profi tability, competitiveness and sustainability.

Through Research (food and agriculture) and Knowledge Transfer (education and advisory) Teagasc delivers six programmes:

Teagasc Goals:■ Improve the competitiveness of agriculture, food and the wider bioeconomy ■ Support sustainable farming and the environment■ Encourage diversifi cation of the rural economy and enhance the quality of life in rural areas■ Enhance organisational capability and deliver value for money

Animal and Grassland Programme

Food Programme

Education Programme

Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme

Advisory Programme

Rural Economy and Development Programme

RESEARCH

ERS

Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Management Ststems CAMMSConducts problem solving for industry involving build, test and validation.Cork Institute of Technology

Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process AnalysisWith links between Cork Institute of Technology and Tyndall National Institute, the centre is engagedf in pnotonics research.Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, 021 [email protected]

Centre for Affective Solutions for Ambient Living Awareness, CASALAEngaged with the application of emerging technologies to enhancement of life for older people.Centre Manager Andrew MacFarlaneDundalk Institute of Technology PJ Carrolls Building, Dundalk, Co Louth. 042 [email protected]

Centre for Applied Biomedical Engineering Research, CABERConducting research in biomedical engineering. The centre has links to the clinical community and universities in the US and South Africa.Materials and Surface Science Institute University of Limerick. 061 [email protected]/caber

Centre for AstronomyNUI, Galway’s Centre for Astronomy is the largest Astronomy group in Ireland. Members of the Centre carry out research in astronomy, astronomical instrumentation and computational astrophysics. Research topics include: clusters and exoplanets, gamma-ray astronomy, high speed stokes polarimetry, pulsars, star formation and astrochemistry, ultra-cool stars and virtual observatories. Degree courses are given in Physics and Astrophysics : http://www.nuigalway.ie/physics/prospectiveUgrad.html. For details of PhD studentships please contact relevant staff members : http://astro.nuigalway.ie/allstaff.php. Director Dr Andy ShearerNUI Galway, School of Physics, Galway. 091 [email protected]://astro.nuigalway.ie

Centre for Atmospheric ChemistryResearch team engaged in study atmospheric chemistry, bioaerosols and particulate matter.Lab B1, Chemistry Department, Kane Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Centre for Authism and Neurodevelopmental Research, ICANAiming to improve conditions for those with authism, and generating empirically validated practices in education and intervention.Geraldine Leader091 [email protected] Galway.

Centre for Bioanalytical Research, CBASWorks with BristolMyersSquibb and draws on the expertise at National Centre for Biomedical Engineering at NUIG, and the National Centre for Sensor Research at DCU. 30 academic researchers and nine from BMS working at the centre. The centre is headed by Harry Molthofer, former director of Technomedicum at University of Helsinki.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Bioengineering, TCDTranslating research into clinical practice. The centre has five research themes: biomatgerials, regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal research, cardiovascular systems, and neural engineering.Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, 152 to 160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/bioengineering

Centre for Biomolecular Environmental and Public Health ResearchMultidisciplinary group working in biomolecular environment health research.Programme Director Dr Frances LucyInstitute of Technology Sligo. Sligo. [email protected]

Centre for BioNanoInteractions, CBNICollaboration between scientists, institutions and companies in research on nanosafety, nanobiology, and nanomedicine.School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Biopolymer and Biomolecular Research, CBBRBased at AIT and established with PTRLI support. Works closely with medical device and diagnostic companies. Research focus on biomaterials and screening of DNA.Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 90 [email protected]

Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, CCRCBOver 300 clinical and basic researchers working on biomarkers, targeted therapies and other aspects of cancer treatments.Queen’s University Belfast. 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL Northern Ireland 28 [email protected]/research-centres

Centre for Chromosome BiologyA network of researchers working on the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome replication, segration, repair and evolution.School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Distillery Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, C-CAPSA group within the Ryan Institute conducting research on climate, air-sea exchange, and aerosols.Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, NUI Galway.

Centre for Climate, Environment and Chronology, CHRONOResearch on past and present changes in climate and their impact on society.Director Dr Paula ReimerArchaeology and Palaeoecology Building, Queen’s University Belfast, 42 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AX [email protected]

Centre for Clinical Health Service and DevelopmentThe centre is concerned with generating clinical research that is relevant to health service providers.Administrator Breda KelleherDiscipline of General Practice, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]

Centre for Creative Technologies and ApplicationsBringing research interests of staff and post-graduates of IADT together.Head Andfew Power Dunlaoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Creative TechnologiesThe harnessing of technologies and science for novel and creative application in the entertainment industries.Carol O’SullivanTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Centre for Digital Video Processing, CDVPThe Centre for Digital Video Processing is a cross-disciplinary research centre and a collaboration between the School of Computing and the School of Electronic Engineering at Dublin City University. In 1999 we were awarded “University Designated Research Centre” status. Our mission is to research and develop techniques and tools to automatically analyse and index digital video information and allow content-based operations such as browsing, searching, alerting, filtering and summarisation.Director Prof Alan F SmeatonSchool of Computing, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]://www.cdvp.dcu.ie

Centre for Efficiency-Orientated Languages, CEOLDeveloping greater reliability in computer systems. The group address issues relating to safety and reliability.Caitriona WalshWestern Gateway Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Centre for Elastomer Research, CERResearching the characterisation of hyperelastic and viscoelastic properties of elastomers.Centre Director Prof Steve JerramsDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]/researchandenterprise/ditrdcentres/cer/

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Biosciences and Translational ResearchConducting research on bio and neural engineering involving the interface between electronics and the nervous system.School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

BioSciences Institute, BSIThe research arm of the School of Life Sciences, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Thjerapeutics.University College Cork Biochemistry Department. 021 [email protected]/en/bsi

Biotechnology LaboratoryThe group, with a number of adacemic and industrial partners, is working on microbial pathogenicity and identification of diagnostic and therapeutic targets.Head of Laboratory Prof SeanDoyleNUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Bone and Tissue Engineering Research GroupThe group carries out research in a wide variety of areas including tissue engineering of bone and cartilage, regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, drug delivery, gene therapy

and angiogenesis and collaborates with the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering and REMEDI (NUIG) and other national and international partners.01 402 [email protected]/boneresearch

Boole Centre for Research in informaticsbringing together the expertise of the School of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Computer Science at University College Cork to carry out interdisciplinary research under the banner of Informatics.Room 2.51 Western Gateway Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Bridge and Transport Research GroupGroup at UCD working closely with other national and international institutions, in the field of bridge and transport engineering research development. Dr Ken GavinUCD School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Built Environment Research InstituteThe Built Environment Research Institute is the University of Ulster’s focus for research activities relating to sustainable technologies, alternative and renewable energy sources, fire and hydrogen safety engineering, development, management, regulation and conservation of the built environment.Director, Prof Stanley [email protected]

Callan InstituteThe Callan Institute’s area of expertise is in electronic and software systems, wireless communications and in data mining, knowledge extraction and cognition. As a group, we wish to blend focussed basic research with a systems perspective that drives cross-disciplinary developments, essential in tackling the new challenges arising from the need for a more sustainable, knowledge-driven society. Joanna O’GradyNational University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Cancer BiologyIndisciplinary research cluster including investigators from science, engineering and medicine.University College Cork www.ucc.ie/en/cancerbiology

Cancer ConsortiumAgreement between the US National Cancer Institute, Dept of Health in NI, and Dept of Health in ROI. The aim is to improve access to treatment, strengthen research, and to run trials.

Cell Culture Engineering Researdh CentreThe group is involved in the study and application of metabolic and process engineering of animal cells. Prof Mohamed Al-RubeaiSchool of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Cell Signalling LaboratorySee Institute of Immunology, NUIM

Cellular Immunology LaboratoryResearch focus on response of immune system and how it can be modified to improve human health. Dr Bernard MahonSee Institute of Immunology, NUIM 01 [email protected]

www.teagasc.ie






Food Programme

Education Programme


Advisory Programme


RESEARCH

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Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Management Ststems CAMMSConducts problem solving for industry involving build, test and validation.Cork Institute of Technology

Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process AnalysisWith links between Cork Institute of Technology and Tyndall National Institute, the centre is engagedf in pnotonics research.Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, 021 [email protected]

Centre for Affective Solutions for Ambient Living Awareness, CASALAEngaged with the application of emerging technologies to enhancement of life for older people.Centre Manager Andrew MacFarlaneDundalk Institute of Technology PJ Carrolls Building, Dundalk, Co Louth. 042 [email protected]

Centre for Applied Biomedical Engineering Research, CABERConducting research in biomedical engineering. The centre has links to the clinical community and universities in the US and South Africa.Materials and Surface Science Institute University of Limerick. 061 [email protected]/caber

Centre for AstronomyNUI, Galway’s Centre for Astronomy is the largest Astronomy group in Ireland. Members of the Centre carry out research in astronomy, astronomical instrumentation and computational astrophysics. Research topics include: clusters and exoplanets, gamma-ray astronomy, high speed stokes polarimetry, pulsars, star formation and astrochemistry, ultra-cool stars and virtual observatories. Degree courses are given in Physics and Astrophysics : http://www.nuigalway.ie/physics/prospectiveUgrad.html. For details of PhD studentships please contact relevant staff members : http://astro.nuigalway.ie/allstaff.php. Director Dr Andy ShearerNUI Galway, School of Physics, Galway. 091 [email protected]://astro.nuigalway.ie

Centre for Atmospheric ChemistryResearch team engaged in study atmospheric chemistry, bioaerosols and particulate matter.Lab B1, Chemistry Department, Kane Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Centre for Authism and Neurodevelopmental Research, ICANAiming to improve conditions for those with authism, and generating empirically validated practices in education and intervention.Geraldine Leader091 [email protected] Galway.

Centre for Bioanalytical Research, CBASWorks with BristolMyersSquibb and draws on the expertise at National Centre for Biomedical Engineering at NUIG, and the National Centre for Sensor Research at DCU. 30 academic researchers and nine from BMS working at the centre. The centre is headed by Harry Molthofer, former director of Technomedicum at University of Helsinki.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Bioengineering, TCDTranslating research into clinical practice. The centre has five research themes: biomatgerials, regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal research, cardiovascular systems, and neural engineering.Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, 152 to 160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/bioengineering

Centre for Biomolecular Environmental and Public Health ResearchMultidisciplinary group working in biomolecular environment health research.Programme Director Dr Frances LucyInstitute of Technology Sligo. Sligo. [email protected]

Centre for BioNanoInteractions, CBNICollaboration between scientists, institutions and companies in research on nanosafety, nanobiology, and nanomedicine.School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Biopolymer and Biomolecular Research, CBBRBased at AIT and established with PTRLI support. Works closely with medical device and diagnostic companies. Research focus on biomaterials and screening of DNA.Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 90 [email protected]

Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, CCRCBOver 300 clinical and basic researchers working on biomarkers, targeted therapies and other aspects of cancer treatments.Queen’s University Belfast. 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL Northern Ireland 28 [email protected]/research-centres

Centre for Chromosome BiologyA network of researchers working on the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome replication, segration, repair and evolution.School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Distillery Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, C-CAPSA group within the Ryan Institute conducting research on climate, air-sea exchange, and aerosols.Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, NUI Galway.

Centre for Climate, Environment and Chronology, CHRONOResearch on past and present changes in climate and their impact on society.Director Dr Paula ReimerArchaeology and Palaeoecology Building, Queen’s University Belfast, 42 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AX [email protected]

Centre for Clinical Health Service and DevelopmentThe centre is concerned with generating clinical research that is relevant to health service providers.Administrator Breda KelleherDiscipline of General Practice, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]

Centre for Creative Technologies and ApplicationsBringing research interests of staff and post-graduates of IADT together.Head Andfew Power Dunlaoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Creative TechnologiesThe harnessing of technologies and science for novel and creative application in the entertainment industries.Carol O’SullivanTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Centre for Digital Video Processing, CDVPThe Centre for Digital Video Processing is a cross-disciplinary research centre and a collaboration between the School of Computing and the School of Electronic Engineering at Dublin City University. In 1999 we were awarded “University Designated Research Centre” status. Our mission is to research and develop techniques and tools to automatically analyse and index digital video information and allow content-based operations such as browsing, searching, alerting, filtering and summarisation.Director Prof Alan F SmeatonSchool of Computing, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]://www.cdvp.dcu.ie

Centre for Efficiency-Orientated Languages, CEOLDeveloping greater reliability in computer systems. The group address issues relating to safety and reliability.Caitriona WalshWestern Gateway Building, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Centre for Elastomer Research, CERResearching the characterisation of hyperelastic and viscoelastic properties of elastomers.Centre Director Prof Steve JerramsDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]/researchandenterprise/ditrdcentres/cer/

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Left: Research at the 4C Cork Constraint Computation Centre in UCC.

SFI Science Foundation Ireland , the Government’s science

agency, was established in 2000, with a mission to build and strengthen Ireland’s scientific and engineering research capacity and human capital in the areas of greatest strategic value to Ireland’s long-term competitiveness and enterprise development. The agency strategically invests in academic researchers and teams in the fiends of science and engineering underpinning areas such as biotechnology, ICT and energy-efficient technologies. Its portfolio of supports includes awards across this spectrum of research disciplines, from early-career to established Principal Investigators, all with an increasingly strong emphasis on economic impact. Over the past decade, SFI has built a community of 3,000 researchers in Ireland’s higher education institutes, led by 300 lead scientists. The impact and influence of SFI on Ireland’s research credentials at home and abroad over that time has been profound. Ireland has continued to climb the international ranking table for research quality, from 36th place in 2003 to a consolidated position inside the top 20 in recent times. Particular strengths have emerged in fields such as nanotechnology, materials science and immunology. The last two years alone provide countless examples of discoveries by SFI-funded researchers, including breakthroughs in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, cancer, superbugs, blindness, nano-sensor technology, predictions into epidemics, computer viruses and social media trends. SFI, in partnership with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Higher Education Authority and other agencies, has also been working systematically to address the traditional disconnect that has existed between academia and enterprise, and today, collaborations between researchers and industry are at unprecedentedly high levels. Industry collaborations by SFI researchers reached 1,035 in 2011 – an increase of 19% from 867 in 2010. SFI researchers are now working with 583 companies from 67 countries across the globe. SFI has constructed 28 large, industry-connected centres, where companies partner with SFI research groups to pursue

industrially-relevant research. A total of 245 SMEs and 237 multinationals now link to these groups. The goal of such relationships is to make companies more competitive by transferring technology and trained people out of the labs and into the companies. Last year, SFI invested €153 million into Irish research and in 2012, SFI’s capital allocation of €156million is ensuring that the current cohort of 3,000 researchers and 28 large research centres are supported as part of an overall cohesive plan to return Ireland to economic growth. Innovation is woven throughout Government policy, and science is very much seen as integral to our economic recovery. The Government’s Action Plan on Jobs, launched in Spring 2012, has at its core a scientific research and development strand. The Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group, which maps out the sectors into which State funding for scientific R&D is to be channelled, identifies Data Analytics Management, Security & Privacy, Sustainable Food Production and Processing, Digital Platforms, Smart Grids & Smart Cities, Medical Devices, Diagnostics as priority areas. SFI continues to expand and adapt in response to changing environments. In March 2012, Discover Science and Engineering (DSE), the national awareness programme for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, was formally incorporated into SFI. DSE, which was launched in 2003, has striven to ensure that students, teachers, their parents and the general public understand the benefits of science from an early age through to considering career options. Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (published in March 2012) reveal an 18% rise in the number of students choosing a third-level science course this year, which shows the momentum behind science today. In a further illustration of SFI’s ongoing evolution, the forthcoming extension of SFI’s remit - to include

a mandate to fund applied research - will assist further in the generation of commercial opportunities from laboratory-based endevours. Among SFI’s areas of focus for 2012 and beyond is the Call for Proposals under the new SFI Research Centres Programme. This new programme consolidates the existing Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) Programme and Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) Programme into a ‘single-entry’ competition. SFI Research Centres will be eligible to receive up to six years of funding for core activities and SFI anticipates offering funding of between €1million-5million per annum for the Centres. As a State agency, SFI is acutely aware that the taxpayer must witness a commercial and social return on investment. SFI is, therefore, singularly focused on funding only excellent research that is value for money. All applications for funding are subject to rigorous peer review. Ireland’s research credentials, particularly in recent years, point to a strengthening scientific force that is emerging as a formidable player in key fields on the global stage, delivering tangible benefits in the health, technology, energy and related arenas.

Web: www.sfi.ie

Below: Research at the Immunology Research Centre (IRC) at TCD.

SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND

Centre for Environmental Toxicolog, iCETResearching the impact of bioactive contamination of effluents reaching water and the environment. Drawing from expertise in GMIT, NUI Galway and Athlone Institute of Technology. Director Dr Brian QuinnGalway Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technology, CEIATCombining engineering research with industrial expertise and involving a strategic partnership with Bombardier Aerospace. Prof Mark PriceQueen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stransmillis Road, Belfast BT9 [email protected]://www.ceiat.qub.ac.uk/

Centre for Food-borne Zoonomics, CFZGrouping of food safety scientists working with the food industry to reeuce the incidence of food-borne poisoning. Prof Séamus FanningCentre for Food Safety, UCD Veterinary Science Centre, Belfield. Dublin 4. 01 7166082

Centre for Global HealthAddressing key problems in global health through an interdisciplinary and multi-country approach to research and capacity building.Eilish McAuliffeTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Centre for Health and Diet Research, CHDRProviding the evidence base for policy on health promotion and clinical practice.University College Cork [email protected]/en/hrbc/home

Centre for Health Behaviour and Research, CHBRUndertaking a number of projects relating to promotion of positive health behaviour. Researchers drawn from variety of disciplines to produce output in support of public health policies. Dr Naimh Murphy051 [email protected]

Centre for High Performance Computing, TCDProviding large-scale supercomputing, high end computing, data management and visualization facilities for Trinity College, Dublin and third level Institutes in Ireland.Administrator Nicola Boutall2nd Floor, Lloyd Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Industrial and Engineering Optics, IEOThe Centre specialises in holographic and interferometric techniques for industrial sensing, measurement and testing, and provides technical and R&D services to industry.Centre Manager Dr Suzanne MartinDublin Institute of Technology. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Infection and Immunity, CIIResearch on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.Queen’s University Belfast. Helath Science Building, 97 Lisbrun Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 02890975876

Centre for Information systems and techno-culture, INSYTEIndisciplinary group working on information systems and category organisations. Research interests include technology management, building leadership and innovation capacities, strategic technology, cultural values and envisioning, adoption factors for control and automation technologies, technology management in developing countries, supply chain logistics systems, information privacy and security and information systems engineering education.Dr Larry StapletonDepartment of Computing Maths and Physics, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Centre for Innovation and Distributed Systems, CIDSSet up by Dr Pat Doody, Tralee IT, and Dr Shoumen Datte, MIT, to encourage convergence of disciplines in solving big problems. The primary focus is on radio frequency identification and IOT, the Internet of Things.Tom Crean Business Centre, Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, CISCGroup based at NUI Galway involving partnership with DCU and UCD established with PTRLI support. In 2012 CISC became part of the Institute of Business, Social Sciences and Public Policy.Development Officer Angela SiceJ E Cairnes School of Business and Economics, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]/cisc

Centre for Innovation in Distributed SystemsThe group is conducting research in the areas of wireless frequency identification, RFID, artificial intelligence, networking, data mining and middleware development.Dr Pat DoodyTom Crean Business Centre, Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Centre for Innovation in Surgical Technology, CISTGroup of experts working on innovation, testing and marketing of new surgical devices and technology.Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 01 [email protected]

Centre for Intelligent Mechatronics and Sensors, CIMSSThe centre is involved in research on integration of electro-mechanical systems, robotics and sensors in agriculture, industry and healthcare.Director Dr Joseph WalshTom Crean Business Centre, Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Centre for Marine BiologyUndertaking applied marine biotechnology research in collaboration with industry in aquaculture, marine biodiscovery, marine food processing and waste remediation.Business Innovation Centre, Letterkenny IT, Port Road, Letterkenny. Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Centre for Marine Resources and MaricultureResearch and development of mariculture project.Director Dr Dal RobertsC-Mar, 12 The Strand, Portaferry, [email protected] www.qub.ac.uk/bb/cmat/index.html

Centre for Maritime ArchaeologyJointly funded by University of Ulster and NI Environment Agency, the centre is involved carries out inter-disciplinary research in the marine environment.Prof Sandy SteacySchool of Environmental Sciences, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA 02870124242 [email protected]

Centre for Microbial Host InteractionsExploring the interactions between pathogens and human cells with aim of developing more effective antimicrobial therapies. Dr Siobhán McCleanDr Máire CallaghanInstitute of Technology, Dublin 24. [email protected]

Centre for Nanostructured MediaThe grouop is working on nanoscale functional materials and devices and nanophotonics and plasmonics.Director Dr R M Bowman Physics Building. School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, 028 [email protected]

Centre for Nanotechnology and Materials Research, CNMRPolymer development, physical testing, and materials analysis. Based at the former Polymer Development Centre adacent to Athone Institute of Technology.Manager Breda LynchIDA Business and Technology Park, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, 090 [email protected]

Centre for Next Generation Localisation, CNGLFunded by SFI and linking researchers and companies. The objective is to foster research and development in support of localisation companies based in Ireland.Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Pain Research, CPRResearch into cause of chronic pain and its treatment.Director Dr David FinnDr Brian McGuireNUI Galway Galway. 091 [email protected]

RESEARCH

ERS


Left: Research at the 4C Cork Constraint Computation Centre in UCC.

SFI Science Foundation Ireland , the Government’s science

agency, was established in 2000, with a mission to build and strengthen Ireland’s scientific and engineering research capacity and human capital in the areas of greatest strategic value to Ireland’s long-term competitiveness and enterprise development. The agency strategically invests in academic researchers and teams in the fiends of science and engineering underpinning areas such as biotechnology, ICT and energy-efficient technologies. Its portfolio of supports includes awards across this spectrum of research disciplines, from early-career to established Principal Investigators, all with an increasingly strong emphasis on economic impact. Over the past decade, SFI has built a community of 3,000 researchers in Ireland’s higher education institutes, led by 300 lead scientists. The impact and influence of SFI on Ireland’s research credentials at home and abroad over that time has been profound. Ireland has continued to climb the international ranking table for research quality, from 36th place in 2003 to a consolidated position inside the top 20 in recent times. Particular strengths have emerged in fields such as nanotechnology, materials science and immunology. The last two years alone provide countless examples of discoveries by SFI-funded researchers, including breakthroughs in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, cancer, superbugs, blindness, nano-sensor technology, predictions into epidemics, computer viruses and social media trends. SFI, in partnership with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Higher Education Authority and other agencies, has also been working systematically to address the traditional disconnect that has existed between academia and enterprise, and today, collaborations between researchers and industry are at unprecedentedly high levels. Industry collaborations by SFI researchers reached 1,035 in 2011 – an increase of 19% from 867 in 2010. SFI researchers are now working with 583 companies from 67 countries across the globe. SFI has constructed 28 large, industry-connected centres, where companies partner with SFI research groups to pursue

industrially-relevant research. A total of 245 SMEs and 237 multinationals now link to these groups. The goal of such relationships is to make companies more competitive by transferring technology and trained people out of the labs and into the companies. Last year, SFI invested €153 million into Irish research and in 2012, SFI’s capital allocation of €156million is ensuring that the current cohort of 3,000 researchers and 28 large research centres are supported as part of an overall cohesive plan to return Ireland to economic growth. Innovation is woven throughout Government policy, and science is very much seen as integral to our economic recovery. The Government’s Action Plan on Jobs, launched in Spring 2012, has at its core a scientific research and development strand. The Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group, which maps out the sectors into which State funding for scientific R&D is to be channelled, identifies Data Analytics Management, Security & Privacy, Sustainable Food Production and Processing, Digital Platforms, Smart Grids & Smart Cities, Medical Devices, Diagnostics as priority areas. SFI continues to expand and adapt in response to changing environments. In March 2012, Discover Science and Engineering (DSE), the national awareness programme for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, was formally incorporated into SFI. DSE, which was launched in 2003, has striven to ensure that students, teachers, their parents and the general public understand the benefits of science from an early age through to considering career options. Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (published in March 2012) reveal an 18% rise in the number of students choosing a third-level science course this year, which shows the momentum behind science today. In a further illustration of SFI’s ongoing evolution, the forthcoming extension of SFI’s remit - to include

a mandate to fund applied research - will assist further in the generation of commercial opportunities from laboratory-based endevours. Among SFI’s areas of focus for 2012 and beyond is the Call for Proposals under the new SFI Research Centres Programme. This new programme consolidates the existing Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) Programme and Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) Programme into a ‘single-entry’ competition. SFI Research Centres will be eligible to receive up to six years of funding for core activities and SFI anticipates offering funding of between €1million-5million per annum for the Centres. As a State agency, SFI is acutely aware that the taxpayer must witness a commercial and social return on investment. SFI is, therefore, singularly focused on funding only excellent research that is value for money. All applications for funding are subject to rigorous peer review. Ireland’s research credentials, particularly in recent years, point to a strengthening scientific force that is emerging as a formidable player in key fields on the global stage, delivering tangible benefits in the health, technology, energy and related arenas.

Web: www.sfi.ie

Below: Research at the Immunology Research Centre (IRC) at TCD.

SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND

Centre for Environmental Toxicolog, iCETResearching the impact of bioactive contamination of effluents reaching water and the environment. Drawing from expertise in GMIT, NUI Galway and Athlone Institute of Technology. Director Dr Brian QuinnGalway Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technology, CEIATCombining engineering research with industrial expertise and involving a strategic partnership with Bombardier Aerospace. Prof Mark PriceQueen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stransmillis Road, Belfast BT9 [email protected]://www.ceiat.qub.ac.uk/

Centre for Food-borne Zoonomics, CFZGrouping of food safety scientists working with the food industry to reeuce the incidence of food-borne poisoning. Prof Séamus FanningCentre for Food Safety, UCD Veterinary Science Centre, Belfield. Dublin 4. 01 7166082

Centre for Global HealthAddressing key problems in global health through an interdisciplinary and multi-country approach to research and capacity building.Eilish McAuliffeTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Centre for Health and Diet Research, CHDRProviding the evidence base for policy on health promotion and clinical practice.University College Cork [email protected]/en/hrbc/home

Centre for Health Behaviour and Research, CHBRUndertaking a number of projects relating to promotion of positive health behaviour. Researchers drawn from variety of disciplines to produce output in support of public health policies. Dr Naimh Murphy051 [email protected]

Centre for High Performance Computing, TCDProviding large-scale supercomputing, high end computing, data management and visualization facilities for Trinity College, Dublin and third level Institutes in Ireland.Administrator Nicola Boutall2nd Floor, Lloyd Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Industrial and Engineering Optics, IEOThe Centre specialises in holographic and interferometric techniques for industrial sensing, measurement and testing, and provides technical and R&D services to industry.Centre Manager Dr Suzanne MartinDublin Institute of Technology. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Infection and Immunity, CIIResearch on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.Queen’s University Belfast. Helath Science Building, 97 Lisbrun Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 02890975876

Centre for Information systems and techno-culture, INSYTEIndisciplinary group working on information systems and category organisations. Research interests include technology management, building leadership and innovation capacities, strategic technology, cultural values and envisioning, adoption factors for control and automation technologies, technology management in developing countries, supply chain logistics systems, information privacy and security and information systems engineering education.Dr Larry StapletonDepartment of Computing Maths and Physics, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Centre for Innovation and Distributed Systems, CIDSSet up by Dr Pat Doody, Tralee IT, and Dr Shoumen Datte, MIT, to encourage convergence of disciplines in solving big problems. The primary focus is on radio frequency identification and IOT, the Internet of Things.Tom Crean Business Centre, Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, CISCGroup based at NUI Galway involving partnership with DCU and UCD established with PTRLI support. In 2012 CISC became part of the Institute of Business, Social Sciences and Public Policy.Development Officer Angela SiceJ E Cairnes School of Business and Economics, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]/cisc

Centre for Innovation in Distributed SystemsThe group is conducting research in the areas of wireless frequency identification, RFID, artificial intelligence, networking, data mining and middleware development.Dr Pat DoodyTom Crean Business Centre, Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Centre for Innovation in Surgical Technology, CISTGroup of experts working on innovation, testing and marketing of new surgical devices and technology.Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 01 [email protected]

Centre for Intelligent Mechatronics and Sensors, CIMSSThe centre is involved in research on integration of electro-mechanical systems, robotics and sensors in agriculture, industry and healthcare.Director Dr Joseph WalshTom Crean Business Centre, Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Centre for Marine BiologyUndertaking applied marine biotechnology research in collaboration with industry in aquaculture, marine biodiscovery, marine food processing and waste remediation.Business Innovation Centre, Letterkenny IT, Port Road, Letterkenny. Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Centre for Marine Resources and MaricultureResearch and development of mariculture project.Director Dr Dal RobertsC-Mar, 12 The Strand, Portaferry, [email protected] www.qub.ac.uk/bb/cmat/index.html

Centre for Maritime ArchaeologyJointly funded by University of Ulster and NI Environment Agency, the centre is involved carries out inter-disciplinary research in the marine environment.Prof Sandy SteacySchool of Environmental Sciences, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA 02870124242 [email protected]

Centre for Microbial Host InteractionsExploring the interactions between pathogens and human cells with aim of developing more effective antimicrobial therapies. Dr Siobhán McCleanDr Máire CallaghanInstitute of Technology, Dublin 24. [email protected]

Centre for Nanostructured MediaThe grouop is working on nanoscale functional materials and devices and nanophotonics and plasmonics.Director Dr R M Bowman Physics Building. School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, 028 [email protected]

Centre for Nanotechnology and Materials Research, CNMRPolymer development, physical testing, and materials analysis. Based at the former Polymer Development Centre adacent to Athone Institute of Technology.Manager Breda LynchIDA Business and Technology Park, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, 090 [email protected]

Centre for Next Generation Localisation, CNGLFunded by SFI and linking researchers and companies. The objective is to foster research and development in support of localisation companies based in Ireland.Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Pain Research, CPRResearch into cause of chronic pain and its treatment.Director Dr David FinnDr Brian McGuireNUI Galway Galway. 091 [email protected]

RESEARCH

ERS


Centre for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, CPRDInter-disciplinary team from ITT, DIT and NUI Maynooth working on development of novel therapeutic agents, process analytical technologies for drug intermneidate and finished product analysis.Dr Denise EganInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Plasma PhysicsResearch on plasma physics and interactions of ionised particlesHead of Centre Prof B GrahamSchool of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN [email protected]

Centre for Preventive MedicineResearch across a number of disciplines on disease prevention and on improving quality of lifelong health.Dr Donel O’GormanDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Public Health, CPHResearch covering areas including cancer and health services research, cardiovascular epidemiology, nutrition and metabolism, renal disease and ageing.Institute of Clinical Science, Queen’s University. Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosnevor Road, [email protected]/research-centres/centreforpublichealth

Centre for Research in Electroanalytical Chemistry, CREATEResearch combining expertise in sensor technology, nanotechnology and microfabrication. Dr Eithne DempseyDepartment of Science, Institute of Technology Tallaght,Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology, CRESTCentre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited innovative coatings research centre based in Focas Research Institute in DIT. CRESTs expertise is in surface treatment and material characterisation offering both a professional consultancy service and R&D capabilities to Irish industries keen to develop novel technologies.

Dr Yvonne CadoganDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]

Centre for Research in IT in Education, CRITEResearch collaboration between education and computer science to combine educational principles with technical progress.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961765www.cs.tcd.ie/crite

Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, CRVBResearch addressing issues in vascular cell biology, artheroscherosis and vascular remodeling with aim of delivering diagnostic and therapeutic solutions in the clinic.University College Cork 021 4901442www.crvb.eu

Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices, CRANNAn internationally recognised centre for nanoscience research housed in custom designed buildings at TCD. Established in 2003 in partnership with UCC and since then has expanded through partnerships with university and industry collaborators. Nanotechnology covers a broad field and about 250 researchers have been drawn from a range of disciplines including physics, chemistry, medicine and engineering. Communications Mary ColcloughTrinity College, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Research on Property and PlanningThe Centre for Research on Property and Planning focuses upon the evaluation of property market performance, investment decision-making and analysis, computer-assisted valuation models, the application of GIS, spatial planning, land use planning and urban sustainability, the appraisal of urban regeneration initiatives, housing and land use policies, systems of land and property taxation, econometric analysis, user-requirements and facilities management.BERI, University of Ulster.Director, Prof Stanley McGreal.www.beri.ulster.ac.uk

Centre for Scientific ComputingMulti-school research into computer driven applications in science and engineering. Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Centre for Scientific Computing and Complex Systems, SCI-SYMResearchers working in high performance computing (HPC) applied to computational and mathematical models for complex systems in engineering, natural and applied sciences.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Secure Information Technologies, CSITDeveloping high security for electronically stored information.The Institute of Electronics, Communications and Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland Science Park [email protected]

Centre for Sensor Web Technologies, CLARITYEstablished in 2008 as one of the CSETs. Developing a new generation of interactive information services. Involving collaboration betwseen UCD, DCU and Tyndall. More than 100 researchers and 10 industrial partners.Director Prof Barry SmythScience North, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Statistical Science and Operational Research, CenSORCurrent research interests of CenSSOR include Survival Analysis, Bayesian networks, Markov Modelling and Stochastic Models.Director of Research Dr A H MarshallInformation Technology (ECIT) [email protected]

Centre for SustainabilityIndisciplinary research on energy recovery from waste and biomass, bog rehabilitation, and reuse of biosolids.Dr John BartlettInstitute of Technology Sligo. [email protected]

Centre for Sustainable TechnologiesThe Centre for Sustainable Technologies carries out multidisciplinary research to create, develop, improve, demonstrate and evaluate emerging, existing and alternative sustainable renewable energy, building design, construction materials and environmental modification technologies.BERI, University of Ulster.Director: Prof Neil Hewitt

Centre for Synthesis and Biology, CSCBBased in UCD and set up in 2001 with PTRLI support. The 2,200 square metre building contains mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy facilities. Involves collaboration with TCD and RCSI. The €26 million investment by the Government was the largest yet for chemistry.Director Prof Pat GuiryUniversity College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/cscb

Centre for Systems Mediicine, CSMThis translational research centre identifies proteins implicated in human disease and utilises systems biology and mathematical approaches in order to develop new prognostic tools for the treatment of cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes, and to develop more targeted therapies for patients.Jochen PrehnRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland 121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Telecommunications Value-Chair Research, CTVRA multi-disciplinary group of researchers drawn from Irish universities working with industrial partners on developing telecommunications networks of the future.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961765www.ctvr.ie

Centre for the EnvironmentSupporting interdisciplinary research on the environment. Research spans wide range, including physico-chemical and ecological studies, environmental technology and engineering and social sciences.Norman AllottTrinity College Dublin, Dublin [email protected]/environment

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Centre for the Theory and Application of Catalysis, CASTechResearch on evaluation, modelling and synthesis of catalists for industrial and environmental applications.School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University.

Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical PhysicsThe group is working mainly on computational and theoretical physics.Director of Research Dr H van der HartDavid Bates Building Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN Northern Ireland

Centre for Theory and Application of Catalysis, CenTACatInterdisciplinary collaboration on researcing chemical processes for industry.Queen’ University Belfast.

Centre for Transport Research and Innovation for People, TRIPResearch on transport involving engineering, electronics, social science and economic issues. The centre, based at TCD has links to UCC.Director Prof Margaret O’MahonyDept of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Unified ComputingResearch group working on high performance and distributed computing.Univerity College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork. 021 4901442http://www.crvb.eu/

Centre for Vision and Vascular Health, CWSOne of the four research centres within the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. Research is focused on vision and microvascular areas.

Institute of Clinical Science, Black A Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosnenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA [email protected]

Centre for Vision and Vascular ScienceOne of the four Research Centres within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences (MDBMS). The centre has an international reputation in vision and microvascular research nichesInstitute of Clinical Science, Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA. [email protected]/research-centres/CentreforVisionandVascularScience/

Centre of Applied Marine Biology, CAMBIOEstablished in 2005 to conduct research and development on marine biotechnology. The main areas of research are in aquaculture and fisheries, marine biodiscovery, marine food processing and waste remediation.Business Innovation Centre,

Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Port Road, Letterkenny. Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Centre of Applied Science for Health, CASGResearch on microsensors for clinical, veterinary, and other applications, microbial host interactions, antimicrobial peptides, and development of applications from cell biology research. Works in collaboration with agencies and industrial partners.Centre Manager Dr Ken CarrollOld Blessington Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. [email protected]

Centre of Bioethical and Analysis, COBRAEngaging with bioethical scholarship.Director Dr Richard HullDepartment of Philosophy, NUI Galway. [email protected]

Environmental Research InstituteUniversity College Cork

“Facilitating multidisciplinary environmental research for a sustainable future”

The World’s Earth system continues to face unprecedented environmental challenges being confronted with unsustainable exploitation of its natural resources, potentially irreversible changes to its climate and a continued loss in biodiversity. There is an urgent need for novel technological and policy responses to address these ongoing challenges. Since 2000, the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork has been facilitating a multi-disciplinary approach to develop solutions which will help lead a gradual shift towards a resource-efficient and low-carbon global economy

The ERI is one of Ireland’s leading research institutes in the areas of Marine, Environmental and Energy research. The goals of the Institute are (a) to provide knowledge-based solutions addressing major societal challenges and opportunities (b) to train post-graduate research students for careers in environmental sciences and engineering and (c) to contribute to strengthening Ireland’s leadership in eco-innovation and the green economy. The Institute brings together over 200 researchers from the science, engineering and social science disciplines to work together in large, multi-skilled teams drawing on each discipline’s core competences. For example, the location of biotechnologists, ecologists and engineers within the ERI has enabled a broader research approach in the area of bio-fuels, where the biotechnologists study the bio-transformation of crops to fuels, the engineers focus on scale-up and process optimisation, while the ecologists look at the ecological impacts of changing land use to growing bio-fuel crops. The fusion and leveraging of scientific and engineering expertise from the Institute’s research centres (Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Aquaculture & Fisheries Development Centres and Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre) ensures that the most innovative and appropriate solutions are being developed for a sustainable future. The ERI was recently awarded €14 to build the Beaufort Laboratory on the IMERC campus at Ringaskiddy, Cork which will provide space for an additional 135 researchers to become the world’s largest marine renewable energy facility upon completion in 2014.

Contact: Dr Paul Bolger, ManagerEnvironmental Research Institute,University College Cork, Lee Road, CorkTel: 021-4901931Email: [email protected]: http://eri.ucc.ie

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Centre for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, CPRDInter-disciplinary team from ITT, DIT and NUI Maynooth working on development of novel therapeutic agents, process analytical technologies for drug intermneidate and finished product analysis.Dr Denise EganInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Plasma PhysicsResearch on plasma physics and interactions of ionised particlesHead of Centre Prof B GrahamSchool of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN [email protected]

Centre for Preventive MedicineResearch across a number of disciplines on disease prevention and on improving quality of lifelong health.Dr Donel O’GormanDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Public Health, CPHResearch covering areas including cancer and health services research, cardiovascular epidemiology, nutrition and metabolism, renal disease and ageing.Institute of Clinical Science, Queen’s University. Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosnevor Road, [email protected]/research-centres/centreforpublichealth

Centre for Research in Electroanalytical Chemistry, CREATEResearch combining expertise in sensor technology, nanotechnology and microfabrication. Dr Eithne DempseyDepartment of Science, Institute of Technology Tallaght,Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology, CRESTCentre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited innovative coatings research centre based in Focas Research Institute in DIT. CRESTs expertise is in surface treatment and material characterisation offering both a professional consultancy service and R&D capabilities to Irish industries keen to develop novel technologies.

Dr Yvonne CadoganDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]

Centre for Research in IT in Education, CRITEResearch collaboration between education and computer science to combine educational principles with technical progress.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961765www.cs.tcd.ie/crite

Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, CRVBResearch addressing issues in vascular cell biology, artheroscherosis and vascular remodeling with aim of delivering diagnostic and therapeutic solutions in the clinic.University College Cork 021 4901442www.crvb.eu

Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices, CRANNAn internationally recognised centre for nanoscience research housed in custom designed buildings at TCD. Established in 2003 in partnership with UCC and since then has expanded through partnerships with university and industry collaborators. Nanotechnology covers a broad field and about 250 researchers have been drawn from a range of disciplines including physics, chemistry, medicine and engineering. Communications Mary ColcloughTrinity College, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Research on Property and PlanningThe Centre for Research on Property and Planning focuses upon the evaluation of property market performance, investment decision-making and analysis, computer-assisted valuation models, the application of GIS, spatial planning, land use planning and urban sustainability, the appraisal of urban regeneration initiatives, housing and land use policies, systems of land and property taxation, econometric analysis, user-requirements and facilities management.BERI, University of Ulster.Director, Prof Stanley McGreal.www.beri.ulster.ac.uk

Centre for Scientific ComputingMulti-school research into computer driven applications in science and engineering. Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Centre for Scientific Computing and Complex Systems, SCI-SYMResearchers working in high performance computing (HPC) applied to computational and mathematical models for complex systems in engineering, natural and applied sciences.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Secure Information Technologies, CSITDeveloping high security for electronically stored information.The Institute of Electronics, Communications and Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland Science Park [email protected]

Centre for Sensor Web Technologies, CLARITYEstablished in 2008 as one of the CSETs. Developing a new generation of interactive information services. Involving collaboration betwseen UCD, DCU and Tyndall. More than 100 researchers and 10 industrial partners.Director Prof Barry SmythScience North, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Statistical Science and Operational Research, CenSORCurrent research interests of CenSSOR include Survival Analysis, Bayesian networks, Markov Modelling and Stochastic Models.Director of Research Dr A H MarshallInformation Technology (ECIT) [email protected]

Centre for SustainabilityIndisciplinary research on energy recovery from waste and biomass, bog rehabilitation, and reuse of biosolids.Dr John BartlettInstitute of Technology Sligo. [email protected]

Centre for Sustainable TechnologiesThe Centre for Sustainable Technologies carries out multidisciplinary research to create, develop, improve, demonstrate and evaluate emerging, existing and alternative sustainable renewable energy, building design, construction materials and environmental modification technologies.BERI, University of Ulster.Director: Prof Neil Hewitt

Centre for Synthesis and Biology, CSCBBased in UCD and set up in 2001 with PTRLI support. The 2,200 square metre building contains mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy facilities. Involves collaboration with TCD and RCSI. The €26 million investment by the Government was the largest yet for chemistry.Director Prof Pat GuiryUniversity College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/cscb

Centre for Systems Mediicine, CSMThis translational research centre identifies proteins implicated in human disease and utilises systems biology and mathematical approaches in order to develop new prognostic tools for the treatment of cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes, and to develop more targeted therapies for patients.Jochen PrehnRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland 121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Telecommunications Value-Chair Research, CTVRA multi-disciplinary group of researchers drawn from Irish universities working with industrial partners on developing telecommunications networks of the future.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961765www.ctvr.ie

Centre for the EnvironmentSupporting interdisciplinary research on the environment. Research spans wide range, including physico-chemical and ecological studies, environmental technology and engineering and social sciences.Norman AllottTrinity College Dublin, Dublin [email protected]/environment

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Centre for the Theory and Application of Catalysis, CASTechResearch on evaluation, modelling and synthesis of catalists for industrial and environmental applications.School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University.

Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical PhysicsThe group is working mainly on computational and theoretical physics.Director of Research Dr H van der HartDavid Bates Building Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN Northern Ireland

Centre for Theory and Application of Catalysis, CenTACatInterdisciplinary collaboration on researcing chemical processes for industry.Queen’ University Belfast.

Centre for Transport Research and Innovation for People, TRIPResearch on transport involving engineering, electronics, social science and economic issues. The centre, based at TCD has links to UCC.Director Prof Margaret O’MahonyDept of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Unified ComputingResearch group working on high performance and distributed computing.Univerity College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork. 021 4901442http://www.crvb.eu/

Centre for Vision and Vascular Health, CWSOne of the four research centres within the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. Research is focused on vision and microvascular areas.

Institute of Clinical Science, Black A Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosnenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA [email protected]

Centre for Vision and Vascular ScienceOne of the four Research Centres within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences (MDBMS). The centre has an international reputation in vision and microvascular research nichesInstitute of Clinical Science, Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA. [email protected]/research-centres/CentreforVisionandVascularScience/

Centre of Applied Marine Biology, CAMBIOEstablished in 2005 to conduct research and development on marine biotechnology. The main areas of research are in aquaculture and fisheries, marine biodiscovery, marine food processing and waste remediation.Business Innovation Centre,

Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Port Road, Letterkenny. Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Centre of Applied Science for Health, CASGResearch on microsensors for clinical, veterinary, and other applications, microbial host interactions, antimicrobial peptides, and development of applications from cell biology research. Works in collaboration with agencies and industrial partners.Centre Manager Dr Ken CarrollOld Blessington Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. [email protected]

Centre of Bioethical and Analysis, COBRAEngaging with bioethical scholarship.Director Dr Richard HullDepartment of Philosophy, NUI Galway. [email protected]

Environmental Research InstituteUniversity College Cork

“Facilitating multidisciplinary environmental research for a sustainable future”

The World’s Earth system continues to face unprecedented environmental challenges being confronted with unsustainable exploitation of its natural resources, potentially irreversible changes to its climate and a continued loss in biodiversity. There is an urgent need for novel technological and policy responses to address these ongoing challenges. Since 2000, the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork has been facilitating a multi-disciplinary approach to develop solutions which will help lead a gradual shift towards a resource-efficient and low-carbon global economy

The ERI is one of Ireland’s leading research institutes in the areas of Marine, Environmental and Energy research. The goals of the Institute are (a) to provide knowledge-based solutions addressing major societal challenges and opportunities (b) to train post-graduate research students for careers in environmental sciences and engineering and (c) to contribute to strengthening Ireland’s leadership in eco-innovation and the green economy. The Institute brings together over 200 researchers from the science, engineering and social science disciplines to work together in large, multi-skilled teams drawing on each discipline’s core competences. For example, the location of biotechnologists, ecologists and engineers within the ERI has enabled a broader research approach in the area of bio-fuels, where the biotechnologists study the bio-transformation of crops to fuels, the engineers focus on scale-up and process optimisation, while the ecologists look at the ecological impacts of changing land use to growing bio-fuel crops. The fusion and leveraging of scientific and engineering expertise from the Institute’s research centres (Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Aquaculture & Fisheries Development Centres and Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre) ensures that the most innovative and appropriate solutions are being developed for a sustainable future. The ERI was recently awarded €14 to build the Beaufort Laboratory on the IMERC campus at Ringaskiddy, Cork which will provide space for an additional 135 researchers to become the world’s largest marine renewable energy facility upon completion in 2014.

Contact: Dr Paul Bolger, ManagerEnvironmental Research Institute,University College Cork, Lee Road, CorkTel: 021-4901931Email: [email protected]: http://eri.ucc.ie

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Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aerospace Technologies, CEIATResearch on materials and technology relevant to aerospace industry. The centre works in close collaboration with Bombardier Aerospace.Director Prof Mark PriceQueen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH [email protected]

Centres for Science Engineering and Technology, CSETsSFI has, so far, supported nine CSETs. Three of these are in life sciences and six in ICT.

Charles InstituteResearch on skin diseases in partnership with UCD School of Medicine and affiliated hospitals.UCD Research University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01n7164000

CLARITY: Centre for Sensor Web Technologies CLARITY is an SFI-funded CSET involving UCD, DCU, and Tyndall, focusing on the development of sensor web technologies in a range of areas including health and fitness, environmental monitoring, and social media. It supports more than 140 researchers and actively collaborates with 50+ companies, from multi-nationals to Irish startups and SMEs.University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Claude Shannon InstituteThe Institute, funded by SFI, supports research in the area of mathematics in communications. Research includes work on coding theory and cryptography. Through the Institute there is collaboration between NUIM, DCU, UCD, and UCC. Prof Gary McGuireSchool of Mathematical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Clean Technology Centre, CTCConducting research on sustainable production, energy management, and efficient manufacturing processes.Cork Institute of Technology, 53 Melbourne Road, Bishopstown, Cork. [email protected]

Cleaner Production Promotion UnitThe unit is involved in researching cleaner production methods, training and education. The unit collaborates with the private and public sectors.Director Niall DunphyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]/cppu

Climate Adaptation, Mitigration and GeohazardsResearch on geohazards such as volcanic eruptions, landslides and flooding, and study of climate change and its impact.Director Prof Chris BeanUCD Earth Science Institute, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

CLIQUEA research cluster with a focus on graph and network analysis and visualisation. Working in collaboration with Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway.Manager Dr Prag SharmaCASL Room G1 8 Belfield Office Park, Beaver Row, Clonsleagh,01 [email protected]://www.cliquecluster.org/

Cloud Computing Research Centre, CloudCOREA consortium of higher education institutes lead by Dublin City University and including University College Cork, Athlone Institute of Technology and NUI Maynooth to conduct research and development in cloud computing. One of the ten centres established jointly by Enterprise Ireland the IDA.Director Ray WalshDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Coastal and Marine Research Centre, CMRCPart of the Environmental Research Institute, ERI, at UCC it operates from the Irish National Naval Base at Haulbowling Island. Conducts applied research on governance, coastal processes, coastal mapping, megafauna, geomatics, GIS amd remote sensing.Director Jeremy GaultUniversity College Cork, Irish Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cobh, 021 [email protected]

Coastal Systems GroupInvestigating the variables in coastal systems and developing mechanisms for coastal management.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Combustion Chemistry Centre, C3Research on combustion of fossil and biofuels involving physics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and other disciplines.National University of Ireland Galway Galway. 091 [email protected]://c3.nuigalway.ie/

Communications Network Research Institute, CNRIResearch in fundamental and applied aspects of communication networks.Director Dr Mark DavisDublin Institute of Technology, Focas Institute,Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Competence Centre for Applied Nanotechnology, CCANIndustry led collaboration with research groups on nanotechnology. CCAN is self-governing, and is co-hosted by CRANN at TCD and the Tyndall National Institute at UCC. One of the Competence Centres established by EI in collaboration with the IDA.Executive Director Dr Alan HynesTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, CASLGroup formed in 2006 involved in applied mathematics, computational science and informatice based at UCD.Director Prof David Coker8 Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Complex Systems Research Centre, COREInterdisciplinary research on understanding and dealing with highly cojplex systems and problems.Director Dr Petri PiiroinenNUI Galway.

Computer Architecture and Grid Research Group, GAGConducting research on computer architecture combining a knowledge of software and hardware.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Computer Integrated Manufacturing Research Unit, CIMRUConducting research on innovation management, new product development and manufacturing performance.National University of Ireland Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Computer Science Research Institute, CSRICombining staff from the Schools of Computing and Information Engineering at Coleraine, Computing and Intelligent Systems at Magee, and Computing and Mathematics at Jordanstown. CSRI has four research groups: Information and Communication Engineering (Coleraine); Intelligent Systems Research Centre (Magee); Smart Environments (Jordanstown); Artificial Intelligence and Applications (Jordanstown)Director Prof Bryan ScotneyUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

Construction Industry Research and Knowledge Centre, CIRKResearch and development to enhance the use of information and communication technologies in the construction industry. Thematic areas include ICT, knowledge management, sustainability and eco-innovation and human resource management in the construction industry.Dr Ken ThomasWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/cirk

Convergent TechnologiesEstablished at WIT in 2011. Based within the School of Engineering several researchers have actively clustered their research activities to explore new collaborations in the field of convergent technologies.Austin CoffeyWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford.051 [email protected]

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Coordination ChemistryWorking on synthetic, and organometallic chemistry to develop novel complexes with potential as catalysts, therapeutic agents or other applications.Dr John McGinleyDepartment of Chemistry, NUI Maynooth [email protected]

Cork Cancer Research CentreInvestigating issues relating to development and treatment of cancers, particularly those that do not respond well to current treatments.Leslie C Quick Laboratory, Biosciences Institurte, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Cork Constraint Computation Centre, 4CResearch group at UCC involved with application of computerised decision making. Comprising of 50 academics, staff and students. Eleanor O’RiordanUniversity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Cork NeuroScience Group, CNSResearchers in the group are investigating a range of neurodegenerative, neurological and psychiatric disorders. Basic and applied clinical research is carried out by the group.Univerity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]/en/cns

Cryptograaphy Research InstituteDeveloping cryptographic algorithms for data transfer security. The group is a member of the Claude Shannon Institute which supports research in mathematics and communications, and it works with the Boole Centre for Research in Informatics.University College Cork

Crystallization Researh GroupInvestigation of process engineering aspects of industrial crystallization systems. A member of the SFI-funded Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster which brings together a wide range of academic and industrial expertise in Ireland to address major challenges in the production of pharmaceutical materials.

Room 113, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield. Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

DEBRADEBRA Ireland is a charity established in 1988 to provide patient support and to drive research into treatments and cures for those with the genetic skin condition, epidermolysis bullosa (EB). To date the charity has raised over €2m for research.Research Manager Dr Avril KennanLa Touche House, 1 Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6. 01 4126924avril@debraireland,orgwww.debraireland.org

DesignCOREInvolved with design and innovation and rapid prototyping. Key research themes/interests: sustainable product design & innovation; 3D visualisation and rapid prototyping in design; user interface and user centred designHiliary Dempsey.Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Diabetes Research GroupResearch is focused on increasing knowledge about diabetes and developing new approaches in therapy.Research Leader Prof Peter FlattSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Uliversity of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine. 028 7032 4419 [email protected]

Diabetics Research Centre, UCDBringing researchers together on diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and associated diseases. University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. [email protected]/drc/research_centre.htm

Digital Communications clusterResearch focus on advanced networks, digital signal processing, radio and wireless communications.Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

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The National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB) at Dublin City University focuses its research on the cell, in particular:

• The use of cells to make therapeutic and diagnostic products.• Cells as therapeutic products (tissue engineering)• Cells as tools to study fundamental biological processes in health and in disease.

We are particularly interested in translating the output from our research into clinical application, and NICB has close collaboration links with hospitals in Dublin in the following disease areas:

• Cancer• Ocular disease• Diabetes• Bone disease

The NICB applies advanced molecular screening and bioinformatics technologies, at mRNA, miRNA and protein level, to investigate mechanisms and define markers for these disease areas.

In cancer research, NICB has active discovery and validation programmes in serum biomarkers for breast, lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers and for melanoma; in development and mechanism investigation of human cell models for resistance to standard and novel molecularly-targeted cancer therapeutic agents, some of this work in collaboration with MTCI (www.mtci.ie): and monoclonal antibody generation against cancer-related functional targets such as invasion. Cell Culture results are validated by immuno-histochemical studies on human cancer tissue, in collaboration with expert histopathologists.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CELLULAR BIOTECHNOLOGYDUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY

iPS generated from Corneal Fibroblasts at NICB

NICB has an active collaboration with clinicians in the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital and with the Irish Blood Transfusion Board Laboratories, to develop and bring to clinical application stem cell/tissue engineering-based therapies for ocular disease. One such treatment, for corneal repair, will reach the clinic shortly; others are in earlier stages of

development. We have recently succeeded in generating induced pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells from cultured adult human eye cells; iPS cells can be used for similar research (and eventually potentially therapeutic) application to embryonic stem cells, but do not involve destroying human embryos. NICB is also involved in research, along with industrial collaborators, on the biology of the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line, (which is the workhorse of the biopharmaceutical industry) and the application of this biological understanding to improving efficiency of cellular biopharmaceutical production. The NICB has in particular pioneered the field of miRNAs as applied to CHO cells.

The NICB is also involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as courses for the public and providing placements for secondary school students and teachers.

For further information contact: Professor Martin ClynesNational Institute for Cellular BiotechnologyDublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

E-mail: [email protected] : www.nicb.dcu.ie

Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aerospace Technologies, CEIATResearch on materials and technology relevant to aerospace industry. The centre works in close collaboration with Bombardier Aerospace.Director Prof Mark PriceQueen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH [email protected]

Centres for Science Engineering and Technology, CSETsSFI has, so far, supported nine CSETs. Three of these are in life sciences and six in ICT.

Charles InstituteResearch on skin diseases in partnership with UCD School of Medicine and affiliated hospitals.UCD Research University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01n7164000

CLARITY: Centre for Sensor Web Technologies CLARITY is an SFI-funded CSET involving UCD, DCU, and Tyndall, focusing on the development of sensor web technologies in a range of areas including health and fitness, environmental monitoring, and social media. It supports more than 140 researchers and actively collaborates with 50+ companies, from multi-nationals to Irish startups and SMEs.University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Claude Shannon InstituteThe Institute, funded by SFI, supports research in the area of mathematics in communications. Research includes work on coding theory and cryptography. Through the Institute there is collaboration between NUIM, DCU, UCD, and UCC. Prof Gary McGuireSchool of Mathematical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Clean Technology Centre, CTCConducting research on sustainable production, energy management, and efficient manufacturing processes.Cork Institute of Technology, 53 Melbourne Road, Bishopstown, Cork. [email protected]

Cleaner Production Promotion UnitThe unit is involved in researching cleaner production methods, training and education. The unit collaborates with the private and public sectors.Director Niall DunphyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]/cppu

Climate Adaptation, Mitigration and GeohazardsResearch on geohazards such as volcanic eruptions, landslides and flooding, and study of climate change and its impact.Director Prof Chris BeanUCD Earth Science Institute, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

CLIQUEA research cluster with a focus on graph and network analysis and visualisation. Working in collaboration with Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway.Manager Dr Prag SharmaCASL Room G1 8 Belfield Office Park, Beaver Row, Clonsleagh,01 [email protected]://www.cliquecluster.org/

Cloud Computing Research Centre, CloudCOREA consortium of higher education institutes lead by Dublin City University and including University College Cork, Athlone Institute of Technology and NUI Maynooth to conduct research and development in cloud computing. One of the ten centres established jointly by Enterprise Ireland the IDA.Director Ray WalshDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Coastal and Marine Research Centre, CMRCPart of the Environmental Research Institute, ERI, at UCC it operates from the Irish National Naval Base at Haulbowling Island. Conducts applied research on governance, coastal processes, coastal mapping, megafauna, geomatics, GIS amd remote sensing.Director Jeremy GaultUniversity College Cork, Irish Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cobh, 021 [email protected]

Coastal Systems GroupInvestigating the variables in coastal systems and developing mechanisms for coastal management.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Combustion Chemistry Centre, C3Research on combustion of fossil and biofuels involving physics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and other disciplines.National University of Ireland Galway Galway. 091 [email protected]://c3.nuigalway.ie/

Communications Network Research Institute, CNRIResearch in fundamental and applied aspects of communication networks.Director Dr Mark DavisDublin Institute of Technology, Focas Institute,Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Competence Centre for Applied Nanotechnology, CCANIndustry led collaboration with research groups on nanotechnology. CCAN is self-governing, and is co-hosted by CRANN at TCD and the Tyndall National Institute at UCC. One of the Competence Centres established by EI in collaboration with the IDA.Executive Director Dr Alan HynesTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, CASLGroup formed in 2006 involved in applied mathematics, computational science and informatice based at UCD.Director Prof David Coker8 Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Complex Systems Research Centre, COREInterdisciplinary research on understanding and dealing with highly cojplex systems and problems.Director Dr Petri PiiroinenNUI Galway.

Computer Architecture and Grid Research Group, GAGConducting research on computer architecture combining a knowledge of software and hardware.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Computer Integrated Manufacturing Research Unit, CIMRUConducting research on innovation management, new product development and manufacturing performance.National University of Ireland Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Computer Science Research Institute, CSRICombining staff from the Schools of Computing and Information Engineering at Coleraine, Computing and Intelligent Systems at Magee, and Computing and Mathematics at Jordanstown. CSRI has four research groups: Information and Communication Engineering (Coleraine); Intelligent Systems Research Centre (Magee); Smart Environments (Jordanstown); Artificial Intelligence and Applications (Jordanstown)Director Prof Bryan ScotneyUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

Construction Industry Research and Knowledge Centre, CIRKResearch and development to enhance the use of information and communication technologies in the construction industry. Thematic areas include ICT, knowledge management, sustainability and eco-innovation and human resource management in the construction industry.Dr Ken ThomasWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/cirk

Convergent TechnologiesEstablished at WIT in 2011. Based within the School of Engineering several researchers have actively clustered their research activities to explore new collaborations in the field of convergent technologies.Austin CoffeyWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford.051 [email protected]

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Coordination ChemistryWorking on synthetic, and organometallic chemistry to develop novel complexes with potential as catalysts, therapeutic agents or other applications.Dr John McGinleyDepartment of Chemistry, NUI Maynooth [email protected]

Cork Cancer Research CentreInvestigating issues relating to development and treatment of cancers, particularly those that do not respond well to current treatments.Leslie C Quick Laboratory, Biosciences Institurte, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Cork Constraint Computation Centre, 4CResearch group at UCC involved with application of computerised decision making. Comprising of 50 academics, staff and students. Eleanor O’RiordanUniversity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Cork NeuroScience Group, CNSResearchers in the group are investigating a range of neurodegenerative, neurological and psychiatric disorders. Basic and applied clinical research is carried out by the group.Univerity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]/en/cns

Cryptograaphy Research InstituteDeveloping cryptographic algorithms for data transfer security. The group is a member of the Claude Shannon Institute which supports research in mathematics and communications, and it works with the Boole Centre for Research in Informatics.University College Cork

Crystallization Researh GroupInvestigation of process engineering aspects of industrial crystallization systems. A member of the SFI-funded Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster which brings together a wide range of academic and industrial expertise in Ireland to address major challenges in the production of pharmaceutical materials.

Room 113, School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield. Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

DEBRADEBRA Ireland is a charity established in 1988 to provide patient support and to drive research into treatments and cures for those with the genetic skin condition, epidermolysis bullosa (EB). To date the charity has raised over €2m for research.Research Manager Dr Avril KennanLa Touche House, 1 Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6. 01 4126924avril@debraireland,orgwww.debraireland.org

DesignCOREInvolved with design and innovation and rapid prototyping. Key research themes/interests: sustainable product design & innovation; 3D visualisation and rapid prototyping in design; user interface and user centred designHiliary Dempsey.Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Diabetes Research GroupResearch is focused on increasing knowledge about diabetes and developing new approaches in therapy.Research Leader Prof Peter FlattSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Uliversity of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine. 028 7032 4419 [email protected]

Diabetics Research Centre, UCDBringing researchers together on diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and associated diseases. University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. [email protected]/drc/research_centre.htm

Digital Communications clusterResearch focus on advanced networks, digital signal processing, radio and wireless communications.Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

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The National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB) at Dublin City University focuses its research on the cell, in particular:

• The use of cells to make therapeutic and diagnostic products.• Cells as therapeutic products (tissue engineering)• Cells as tools to study fundamental biological processes in health and in disease.

We are particularly interested in translating the output from our research into clinical application, and NICB has close collaboration links with hospitals in Dublin in the following disease areas:

• Cancer• Ocular disease• Diabetes• Bone disease

The NICB applies advanced molecular screening and bioinformatics technologies, at mRNA, miRNA and protein level, to investigate mechanisms and define markers for these disease areas.

In cancer research, NICB has active discovery and validation programmes in serum biomarkers for breast, lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers and for melanoma; in development and mechanism investigation of human cell models for resistance to standard and novel molecularly-targeted cancer therapeutic agents, some of this work in collaboration with MTCI (www.mtci.ie): and monoclonal antibody generation against cancer-related functional targets such as invasion. Cell Culture results are validated by immuno-histochemical studies on human cancer tissue, in collaboration with expert histopathologists.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CELLULAR BIOTECHNOLOGYDUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY

iPS generated from Corneal Fibroblasts at NICB

NICB has an active collaboration with clinicians in the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital and with the Irish Blood Transfusion Board Laboratories, to develop and bring to clinical application stem cell/tissue engineering-based therapies for ocular disease. One such treatment, for corneal repair, will reach the clinic shortly; others are in earlier stages of

development. We have recently succeeded in generating induced pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells from cultured adult human eye cells; iPS cells can be used for similar research (and eventually potentially therapeutic) application to embryonic stem cells, but do not involve destroying human embryos. NICB is also involved in research, along with industrial collaborators, on the biology of the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line, (which is the workhorse of the biopharmaceutical industry) and the application of this biological understanding to improving efficiency of cellular biopharmaceutical production. The NICB has in particular pioneered the field of miRNAs as applied to CHO cells.

The NICB is also involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as courses for the public and providing placements for secondary school students and teachers.

For further information contact: Professor Martin ClynesNational Institute for Cellular BiotechnologyDublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

E-mail: [email protected] : www.nicb.dcu.ie

Geological Survey of Irelandearth mapping and geoscience sector supportThe geoLogicaL surVeY oF ireLand (gsi), founded in 1845, is the National Earth Science organisation. The GSI are responsible for providing geological advice and information and for acquiring geoscience data to achieve these aims. We produce a range of products including geological maps, reports and databases, which are available through our award-winning webmapping interfaces, as well as through the customer centre by personal call, telephone or post. The geoscience sector contributes more than €2 billion to the economy each year. GSI supports the sector through data provision and interpretation, and new national surveys. Our position at the interface between Academia, Industry and Government allows us to act as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology.

GSI’s strategic objectives include:l Supporting the sustainable development of Ireland’s earth resources.l Providing reliable geoscience support for environmental protection and effective spatial planning.l Completing strategic geoscience surveys in priority areas.l Supporting the knowledge economy through open geoscience database access and research support.

sustainable development, environmental protection and effective planningMany of the mapping themes within the GSI contribute to the sustainable development of earth resources and environmental protection. Combined, they contribute to effective and sustainable planning decisions in both rural and urban environments.

Groundwater Protection mapping identifies groundwater resources, areas of groundwater vulnerability, and protection areas around drinking water sources supplied by groundwater wells or springs. These maps are used by planning and enforcement authorities, such as Local Authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, to assist in development plans and environmental assessments. Other map suites used to inform the planning and development process include Geohazard mapping of landslides, and Aggregate potential maps, which show where different building materials are situated. In the urban environment, the SURGE (Soil Urban Geochemistry) project sampled soils across Dublin to produce maps of different metals and organic chemicals, whilst the GeoUrban geological model for the Greater Dublin Area is a 3-D representation of the subsurface Quaternary Geology and bedrock topography.

strategic geoscience surveysTwo major current strategic surveys include INFOMAR and Tellus Border. Projects such as these are large-scale and are generally only possible within the Government Sector. Cost benefit analyses

indicate that the returns on investment to the economy, through research uptake and commercial development of the data, significantly outweigh the original project costs.

inFomar (INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MARine Resource) is a joint venture between the GSI and the Marine Institute. The surveys – undertaken with ship-mounted acoustic multibeam sonar and geophysical technology and airborne LIDAR – provide vital information on water

depth for safe shipping, as well as analysing the properties of the seabed for information that can guide fishing, ocean renewable development, environmental protection, and marine archaeology.

tellus Border is collecting scientific data on soils, water and rocks in the Republic of Ireland’s border counties, and is a continuation of the survey undertaken in Northern Ireland. Soil and streamwater chemistry has been analysed in great detail. At the same time a survey aircraft has flown low over the landscape and collected information about the physical properties of soils and rocks. Data on soil, rocks and surface waters is being compiled into freely available maps, and will be of great use to policy makers, researchers, students and private industry in helping to manage the environment and support sustainable development of our natural resources.

research and the knowledge economyThrough two Geoscience Research Initiatives – the €9.1 million Griffiths Research Awards, and the INFOMAR seabed mapping

research programme – the GSI funds over 30 projects in Irish universities and SMEs, supporting fundamental geoscientific advances and also the creation of in the region of 40-50 studentships and jobs in the academic and commercial sectors.

The GSI also partners academic institutions and industry in national and EU-funded projects in the areas of groundwater characterisation, geothermal resources, mining heritage, geophysical/ geochemical environmental surveys and marine environment.

Geoscience Ireland is a recent initiative in which GSI and Enterprise Ireland have brought together a new consortium of companies and research groups in the Irish Geoscience Sector who can offer high quality, multi-disciplinary consultancy in the management of water, minerals and energy resources to new international markets.

For more information on the gsi’s maps and data

http://www.gsi.ie/http://www.infomar.ie/http://www.tellusborder.eu/http://www.geoscienceireland.ie

The RV Keary capturing data for the INFOMAR project.

Digital Enterprise Research Institute. DERIA Centre for Science Engineering and Technology established in 2003 and based at NUI Galway. Working with industry on such topics as semantic search engines, social media and sensor networks. Director Prof Stefan DecckerIDA Business Park, Lower Dangan, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Digital Media Centre, DMCResearch on spatial IT, speech, audio and cognition and e-community software developments.Business Development Manager James WoganDublin Institute of Technology. [email protected]

Distributed Systems Group, DSGDSG conducts basic and applied research into all aspects of distributed computing extending from the theoretical foundations underpinning the field to system engineering issues to emerging applications of distributed computer systems.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Dr Brún Centre for Computational AlgebraA centre for algebraic research and its applications.National University of Ireland Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Dublin Centre for Clinical Research, DCCRProviding the infrastructure for clinical research at St James’ Hospital..01 [email protected]

Dublin Energy Lab, DELConducting basic and applied research on energy generation and resources.Dr Aidan DuffyDublin Institute of Technology, Focas Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/dublinenergylab

Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, DIASAn institute for the study of basic disciplines with three schools, Celtic Studies, Cosmic Physics, and Theoretical Physics. The publicly funded Instutute was founded in 1940.10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre, DMMCExpanded to become the Molecular Medicine Ireland in 2008

Earth Resources Characterisation ClusterInvestigating opportunities to tap into the potential of wind, ocean waves, biomass and solar energyDirector Prof Chris BeanUCD Science Centre South Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Eco-Innovation Research Centre, EIRCEIRC is concerned with adding value to natural resources, bioremediation and agri-environmental management. The centre has particular relevance to marine, agriculture, forestry, and pharmaceuticals. Four groups are involved, molecular ecology, estuarine research, sustainable agriculture, and forestry.Dr Peter McLoughlin051 [email protected]/eirc

Ecological modellingA small three person group investigating invasion and dispersal, such as spread of greater-white toothed shrews in Ireland. John YearsleyA small three person group investigating invasion and dispersal, such as spread of greater-white toothed shrews in Ireland. University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]://ucd-ie.academia.edu/JonYearsley

Ecology, Evolution, Behaviour and Environmental EconomicsResearch includes freshwater and marine ecology, anaimal behaviour, concervation, and environmental economics.. Prof C A MaggsQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Education and Research CentreEstablished to increase the knowledge base supporting patient care. Laboratory and clinical research facilities work in collaboration with the UCD Conway Institute and with clinical staff in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.Administration Geraldine Lanigan-RyanSt Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Efficient Embedded Digital Signal Processing, EEDSPResearch aimed at developing remote monitoring of patients using smart sensors and mobile technology. Through the group researchers from UCC, NUI Galway, University of Limerick and UCC collaborate.Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, University College Cork. Cork.

EldermetResearchers from UCC, Cork University Hospital and Teagasc Moorepark are investigating the link between gut bacteria and health.University College Cork http://eldermet.ucc.ie/

Electric Power Research Centre, EPRCSpecialising in power quality conditioning and integration of wind and solar energy into networks.Dr Michael ConlonDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]://eleceng.dit.ie/eprg

Electricity Research CentreAn industry-university collaboration on research on electrical energy with particular emphasis on Ireland. The ERC is based at UCD and TCD.University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Electrochemistry, Materials and EnvironmentWorking on chemical and electrochemical synthesis of new materials with potential for use in areas such as biological sensors, drug delivery and energy.Chemistrty Department, NUI Maynooth. 01 [email protected]

Electronic Structure GroupResearch on electronic structure of doped metal oxides.Dr Charles H PattersonSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Embedded Systems ResearchCentre for research on embedded electronic systems covering hardware, software, systems integration and networking. Dr Dirk PeschCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown, Cork. [email protected]

Endocrine Disrupters Research GroupResearch group at AIT working on oestrogen mimicking chemicals in effluent and bathing water. The focus of the Group is to establish a precise battery of tests to assess sewage, industrial effluent and bathing waters in Ireland for oestrogen mimicking chemicals with a view to establishing causal relationships between impact and exposure.Dr Cepta Broughamept Life and Physical Sciences, School of Science, Institutiute of Technology Athlone, Athlone, 090 [email protected]

Energy Research Centre, ERCEngaged with research, education and outreach on energy and the environment. Through ERC research on bioenergy, renewables, efficiency and environmental impact are brought together.Outreach Officer Dr Sarah KnightRyan Institute, NUI Galway. Galway. 091 [email protected]

Engineering Research Institute, ERIResearch on advanced functional materials including composites and nanomaterials and coatings.Director Prof J McLaughlinSchool of Engineering, University of Ulster,Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. BT370QB Northern Ireland 02890 [email protected]

EnviroCOREPromoting applied research and educartion in environmental biotechnology. Research is focused on bioremediation, phytotechnologies, biomass production, biotransformation, metagenomics and biofuels, environmental monitoring, modelling and risk assesment.Dr David Dowling.Institute of Technology, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 [email protected]


RESEARCH

ERS

Geological Survey of Irelandearth mapping and geoscience sector supportThe geoLogicaL surVeY oF ireLand (gsi), founded in 1845, is the National Earth Science organisation. The GSI are responsible for providing geological advice and information and for acquiring geoscience data to achieve these aims. We produce a range of products including geological maps, reports and databases, which are available through our award-winning webmapping interfaces, as well as through the customer centre by personal call, telephone or post. The geoscience sector contributes more than €2 billion to the economy each year. GSI supports the sector through data provision and interpretation, and new national surveys. Our position at the interface between Academia, Industry and Government allows us to act as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology.

GSI’s strategic objectives include:l Supporting the sustainable development of Ireland’s earth resources.l Providing reliable geoscience support for environmental protection and effective spatial planning.l Completing strategic geoscience surveys in priority areas.l Supporting the knowledge economy through open geoscience database access and research support.

sustainable development, environmental protection and effective planningMany of the mapping themes within the GSI contribute to the sustainable development of earth resources and environmental protection. Combined, they contribute to effective and sustainable planning decisions in both rural and urban environments.

Groundwater Protection mapping identifies groundwater resources, areas of groundwater vulnerability, and protection areas around drinking water sources supplied by groundwater wells or springs. These maps are used by planning and enforcement authorities, such as Local Authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, to assist in development plans and environmental assessments. Other map suites used to inform the planning and development process include Geohazard mapping of landslides, and Aggregate potential maps, which show where different building materials are situated. In the urban environment, the SURGE (Soil Urban Geochemistry) project sampled soils across Dublin to produce maps of different metals and organic chemicals, whilst the GeoUrban geological model for the Greater Dublin Area is a 3-D representation of the subsurface Quaternary Geology and bedrock topography.

strategic geoscience surveysTwo major current strategic surveys include INFOMAR and Tellus Border. Projects such as these are large-scale and are generally only possible within the Government Sector. Cost benefit analyses

indicate that the returns on investment to the economy, through research uptake and commercial development of the data, significantly outweigh the original project costs.

inFomar (INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MARine Resource) is a joint venture between the GSI and the Marine Institute. The surveys – undertaken with ship-mounted acoustic multibeam sonar and geophysical technology and airborne LIDAR – provide vital information on water

depth for safe shipping, as well as analysing the properties of the seabed for information that can guide fishing, ocean renewable development, environmental protection, and marine archaeology.

tellus Border is collecting scientific data on soils, water and rocks in the Republic of Ireland’s border counties, and is a continuation of the survey undertaken in Northern Ireland. Soil and streamwater chemistry has been analysed in great detail. At the same time a survey aircraft has flown low over the landscape and collected information about the physical properties of soils and rocks. Data on soil, rocks and surface waters is being compiled into freely available maps, and will be of great use to policy makers, researchers, students and private industry in helping to manage the environment and support sustainable development of our natural resources.

research and the knowledge economyThrough two Geoscience Research Initiatives – the €9.1 million Griffiths Research Awards, and the INFOMAR seabed mapping

research programme – the GSI funds over 30 projects in Irish universities and SMEs, supporting fundamental geoscientific advances and also the creation of in the region of 40-50 studentships and jobs in the academic and commercial sectors.

The GSI also partners academic institutions and industry in national and EU-funded projects in the areas of groundwater characterisation, geothermal resources, mining heritage, geophysical/ geochemical environmental surveys and marine environment.

Geoscience Ireland is a recent initiative in which GSI and Enterprise Ireland have brought together a new consortium of companies and research groups in the Irish Geoscience Sector who can offer high quality, multi-disciplinary consultancy in the management of water, minerals and energy resources to new international markets.

For more information on the gsi’s maps and data

http://www.gsi.ie/http://www.infomar.ie/http://www.tellusborder.eu/http://www.geoscienceireland.ie

The RV Keary capturing data for the INFOMAR project.

Digital Enterprise Research Institute. DERIA Centre for Science Engineering and Technology established in 2003 and based at NUI Galway. Working with industry on such topics as semantic search engines, social media and sensor networks. Director Prof Stefan DecckerIDA Business Park, Lower Dangan, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Digital Media Centre, DMCResearch on spatial IT, speech, audio and cognition and e-community software developments.Business Development Manager James WoganDublin Institute of Technology. [email protected]

Distributed Systems Group, DSGDSG conducts basic and applied research into all aspects of distributed computing extending from the theoretical foundations underpinning the field to system engineering issues to emerging applications of distributed computer systems.School of Computer Science and Statistics, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Dr Brún Centre for Computational AlgebraA centre for algebraic research and its applications.National University of Ireland Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Dublin Centre for Clinical Research, DCCRProviding the infrastructure for clinical research at St James’ Hospital..01 [email protected]

Dublin Energy Lab, DELConducting basic and applied research on energy generation and resources.Dr Aidan DuffyDublin Institute of Technology, Focas Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/dublinenergylab

Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, DIASAn institute for the study of basic disciplines with three schools, Celtic Studies, Cosmic Physics, and Theoretical Physics. The publicly funded Instutute was founded in 1940.10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre, DMMCExpanded to become the Molecular Medicine Ireland in 2008

Earth Resources Characterisation ClusterInvestigating opportunities to tap into the potential of wind, ocean waves, biomass and solar energyDirector Prof Chris BeanUCD Science Centre South Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Eco-Innovation Research Centre, EIRCEIRC is concerned with adding value to natural resources, bioremediation and agri-environmental management. The centre has particular relevance to marine, agriculture, forestry, and pharmaceuticals. Four groups are involved, molecular ecology, estuarine research, sustainable agriculture, and forestry.Dr Peter McLoughlin051 [email protected]/eirc

Ecological modellingA small three person group investigating invasion and dispersal, such as spread of greater-white toothed shrews in Ireland. John YearsleyA small three person group investigating invasion and dispersal, such as spread of greater-white toothed shrews in Ireland. University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]://ucd-ie.academia.edu/JonYearsley

Ecology, Evolution, Behaviour and Environmental EconomicsResearch includes freshwater and marine ecology, anaimal behaviour, concervation, and environmental economics.. Prof C A MaggsQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Education and Research CentreEstablished to increase the knowledge base supporting patient care. Laboratory and clinical research facilities work in collaboration with the UCD Conway Institute and with clinical staff in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.Administration Geraldine Lanigan-RyanSt Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Efficient Embedded Digital Signal Processing, EEDSPResearch aimed at developing remote monitoring of patients using smart sensors and mobile technology. Through the group researchers from UCC, NUI Galway, University of Limerick and UCC collaborate.Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, University College Cork. Cork.

EldermetResearchers from UCC, Cork University Hospital and Teagasc Moorepark are investigating the link between gut bacteria and health.University College Cork http://eldermet.ucc.ie/

Electric Power Research Centre, EPRCSpecialising in power quality conditioning and integration of wind and solar energy into networks.Dr Michael ConlonDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]://eleceng.dit.ie/eprg

Electricity Research CentreAn industry-university collaboration on research on electrical energy with particular emphasis on Ireland. The ERC is based at UCD and TCD.University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Electrochemistry, Materials and EnvironmentWorking on chemical and electrochemical synthesis of new materials with potential for use in areas such as biological sensors, drug delivery and energy.Chemistrty Department, NUI Maynooth. 01 [email protected]

Electronic Structure GroupResearch on electronic structure of doped metal oxides.Dr Charles H PattersonSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Embedded Systems ResearchCentre for research on embedded electronic systems covering hardware, software, systems integration and networking. Dr Dirk PeschCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown, Cork. [email protected]

Endocrine Disrupters Research GroupResearch group at AIT working on oestrogen mimicking chemicals in effluent and bathing water. The focus of the Group is to establish a precise battery of tests to assess sewage, industrial effluent and bathing waters in Ireland for oestrogen mimicking chemicals with a view to establishing causal relationships between impact and exposure.Dr Cepta Broughamept Life and Physical Sciences, School of Science, Institutiute of Technology Athlone, Athlone, 090 [email protected]

Energy Research Centre, ERCEngaged with research, education and outreach on energy and the environment. Through ERC research on bioenergy, renewables, efficiency and environmental impact are brought together.Outreach Officer Dr Sarah KnightRyan Institute, NUI Galway. Galway. 091 [email protected]

Engineering Research Institute, ERIResearch on advanced functional materials including composites and nanomaterials and coatings.Director Prof J McLaughlinSchool of Engineering, University of Ulster,Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. BT370QB Northern Ireland 02890 [email protected]

EnviroCOREPromoting applied research and educartion in environmental biotechnology. Research is focused on bioremediation, phytotechnologies, biomass production, biotransformation, metagenomics and biofuels, environmental monitoring, modelling and risk assesment.Dr David Dowling.Institute of Technology, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 [email protected]


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Environmental Change, ECFocusing on on how the Earth’s environments have changed, or are changing, over a range of different time scales from 50k years to the near instantaneous.Director Dr Paula ReimerArchaeology and Palaeoecology Building, Queen’s University Belfast, 42 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AX [email protected]

Environmental Health Sciences Institute, EHSIThe Environmental Health Sciences Institute (EHSI) is a dedicated research institute for inter-disciplinary environmental health sciences research. It integrates scientific and technical expertise with planning, policy and regulatory capability and relevant industry partners to bridge the science-policy-innovation gap. The mission is to achieve healthier lives for children, the elderly and vulnerable populations. Dr Noreen LaydenDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]/researchandenterprise/researchinstitutes/

Environmental Research InstituteThe Institute brings biological, chemical and environmental sciences together for research and education. The Institute is also involved in transfer of technology to industry. Thematic areas include sustainable energy, environmental chemistry, microbiology, biodiversity, aquatic biology and environmental regulations.Manager, Dr Paul Bolger.University College Cork, Lee Road, Cork. 021 [email protected]://eri.ucc.ie

Environmental Science Research InstituteThe Institute brings together pure and applied researchers who investigate a range of Earth systems, with an emphasis on those with societal relevance. Examples include research on natural hazards and climate change, as well as human and physical influences in ecological, freshwater, coastal, and maritime systems. See ESRI for the other groups.Director Prof Sandy SteacySchool of Environmental Sciences, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA [email protected]/esri

Environmental Technologies and Biomaterials Research ClusterGroup of researchers with focus on applying chemical principles, analytical techniques and novel materials to environmental and medical applications.Chemistry Department NUI Maynooth,

Epithelian Immunology GroupResearch on how the lung epithelial cells act as a protective layer.Head of Laboratory Dr Shirley O’DeaNUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

ESRI Centre for Maritime ArchaeologyThe CMA brings together science and the humanities to investigate evolving maritime and freshwater cultural landscapes - extending from riverine and lacustrine environments to the open ocean, with emphasis on coastal and nearshore archaeology. It recognises that coasts are complex systems whose archaeology is influenced by a range of interacting variables.Dr Colin BreenUniversity of Ulster. [email protected]

ESRI Coastal SystemsThis group studies coastal geomorphic change at timescales from millennia to seconds, focusing on the decadal to centennial scale. Spatial scales range from a single beach to global comparisons of coastal landforms. In coastal management, research assesses the utility of various societal approaches and the constraints imposed by human values and organisational structures. Prof Andrew CooperUniversity of Ulster. [email protected]

ESRI Freshwater ScienceResearch in this area aims to understand the behaviour of rivers and lakes in catchments in order to model their important physicochemical and biological properties. There are three research themes: catchments and river quality, including groundwaters; fate of chemicals in lakes and; lake ecology. The group co-operates with UK and Irish end-users of the research.Prof Brian RippeyUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

ESRI GeophysicsThis group focuses on understanding the science of earthquakes, particularly their location, timing, and size. One main emphasis has been on the Sumatran megathrust where a series of large events has provided unprecedented insight into the working of subduction zones. Another major area of investigation is the continuing earthquake sequence in the Christchurch region.Prof John McCloskeyUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

ESRI Quaternary Environmental ChangeThe main aim of this research is to better understand the processes of large-scale and long-term global change that occurred during the Quaternary. The group conducts research on reconstructing Quaternary ice sheets, ice-marginal fluctuations, ice-sheet dynamics, bedform generation and other landscape changes using terrestrial and marine remote sensing techniques, sedimentary analysis and cosmogenic surface exposure dating.Dr Paul DunlopUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

ESRI Terrestrial EcologyThe main aim of this research is understanding how local and regional ecological processes influence biodiversity and ecosystem functions and assessing the ecological impacts of environmental change. Applications relate to biodiversity conservation, habitat management and delivery of important ecosystem services such as the provision of food and the carbon sequestration ability of soils.Dr Alan CooperUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

Estuarine Research Laboratory, ERGMulti-disciplinary gtoup carrying out research into estuarine and coastal ecosystems.Group Leader Dr Peter McLoughlinWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Euro-BioImagingEuro‐BioImaging is a large‐scale pan‐European research infrastructure project which will deploy a distributed biological and biomedical imaging infrastructure in Europe in a coordinated and harmonized manner by providing access to and training in imaging technologies. The associated partners of the Euro-BioImaging are NBIP Ireland and NUI, Galway.Tel: +43-1-5334064-538 [email protected]

Euro Smart Cities Research CentreA project at the IBM R&D centre located in Dublin. The research centre is the first to be established by IBM within the EUIBM, Mulhuddard, Co Dublin.

European Centre for Clinical Trials in Rare DiseaseOne of the centres in a European network conducting clinical trials in treating rare diseases.Director Dr Brendan BuckleyClinical Trials Unit, University College Cork. Cork. 021 [email protected]

European Centre for Connected HealthECCH, established in 2008 with the aim of improving living conditions for chronically ill.3rd Floor, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT28BS. 028 [email protected]

Fault Analysis GroupConducting research on faulting and other types of fractures and applying the results in hydrocarbon and mineral exploration.UCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Federated Autonomic Management of End-to-Eng Communication Services, FAMEA Strategic Research Cluster working on solving the problems involved in communications over a heterogeneous network infrastructure. Based at WIT and involving researchers from a number of colleges and collaborating with industry.Dr W DonnellyTSSG, Waterford Institute of [email protected]

Fetal Behaviour Research GroupResearch on prenatal behaviour.Catherine LynchRoyal Jubilee Maternity Service Royal Hospitals, 274 Grosnevor Road, Belfast BT7 1NN 028 90974230

Financial Mathematics Computation Cluster, FMC2A cluster of researchers from UCD, NUIM and DCU bringing together financial mathematics, financial economics and computer science.Cluster Manager Irene WardSchool of Business, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

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Fire Safety Engineering and Technology Centre, FireSERTThe Fire Safety Engineering Research and Technology Centre (FireSERT) seeks to improve building practices and reduce the human and economic costs of unwanted fires. The Centre performs and supports field and analytical research on the performance of construction materials, components, systems and practices and identifies and quantifies the fundamental processes underlying the initiation, propagation, and suppression of fires.Director, Prof Michael DelichatsiosUniversity of Ulsterwww.beri.ulster.ac.uk

Fluids and Heat Transfer GroupModlling and analysis of fluid dynamics, heat transfer and thermodynamics.School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Fluids, Acoustics and Vibration GroupConducting research on modelling and analysis of vibro-acoustic problems.School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Foams and Complex Systems Research GroupStudy of the physics of foam formation.Dr Stefan HutzlerSchool of Physics Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Focas InstituteThe Institute provides a common, core facility and equipment for research activities in science and engineering. It has received further significant funding under PRTLI Cycle 4 as part of the multi-institutional National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Ireland (NBIPI) and the Integrated NanoSciences Platform for Ireland (INSPIRE) and has established significant links with key researchers in Universities and research centres across Europe.Dublin Institute of Technology.Prof Hugh J Byrne01 [email protected]

Food and Health Research Centre, FHRCCross-disciplinary teams conduct research relevant to policy makers and industry.Catherine Barry RyanDublin Institute of Technology [email protected]

Food Health Ireland, FHILinking researchers at UCC, UCC, Teagasc, UL with industry partners to develop health enhancing foods. The group has a strong focus on dairy products.Univerity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Food Microbiology Research Group, FMRGUndertaking research on microbiological challenges facing food producers. Prof David McDowellBiomedical Science Research Institute School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, 028 [email protected]/food/

Food Product Development CentreResearch and development for the food industry. Fiona WalshDublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1. 01 [email protected]/dit/index-62.html

Forest EcologyInvestigating life in the forest environment. Dr Sandra IrwinDepartment of Zoology. Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork. Distillery Fields, 021 [email protected]/en.forestecology

Freshwater Sciences Research GroupStudying the behaviour of rivers and lake catchments to understand and model physiochemical and biological properties.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Game Based Learning, GBLGroup involved in design, deployment and evaluation of game based learning in primary, secondary and third level education. The primary aim is to apply and inform best practices for the design and deployment of game-based learning solutions.Dr Patrick FeliciaWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/gbl

GameCOREIncludes research in the areas of computer networking, computer game engines and serious computer games. A current significant project for the group is the EU/Enterprise Ireland funded Join-In Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) project aimed at alleviating social isolation as well as physical and cognitive decline in elderly people in Europe.Dr Greg Doyle, Ross Palmer, Dr Dara O”Broin.Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]/research/game-core.htm

Geochronology, Petrology and Isotype Geochemistry GroupThe Geochronology, Petrology and Isotope Geochemistry Group carries out research in geochronology; geodynamic evolution of continental crust; igneous and metamorphic petrology; environmental geochemistry; climate change; mineralisation, sediment provenance and igneous petrogenic studies in crustal evolution.UCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4.

GeoCOREInvolved with supporting regional and national industry in the development of testing, investigation and analysis techniques for the Built Environment. Based within the School of Engineering, GeoCORE’s major themes focus on geotechnics and Green Energy Optimisation, drawing together the established research skills of Engineers, Architects/Technologists and Construction Managers to investigate strongly applied solutions for industrial and public sector partners.Dan O’Sullivan.Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175436www.itcarlow.ie

Geometric Optics GroupConducting basic research in mathematics in an area with applications in physics, computer graphics and biomedical imaging. Collaborators in this group come from University of Durham, TCD and UCD.Brendan GilfoyleInstitute of Technology Tralee Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Geophysics GroupResearch on the Earth’s crustal system. Work includes fluid-rock interactions, seismic wave propagation, and crustal imagery. Prof Chris BeanUCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dubl;in 4. 01 [email protected]

Geophysics Research GroupStudy of the Earth’s crust, stress transfer and reseacrh on earthquakes.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Geotechnical Research GroupConducting applied research on spoil-structure interactions, onshore and offshore for the energy sector. Dr Conleth O’LoughlinInstitute of Technology Sligo, Sligo.

Geotechnics Research GroupResearch covering wide range of geo-environmental engineering topics.Dept of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

GlycoBiology GroupA research group within the National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training at UCD.Principal Investigator Pauline RuddNIBRT, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. [email protected]


Graphics Vision and Visualisation Group, GV2An internationally active group carrying out research in computer graphics, computer vision and all aspects of visual computing. GV2 was formed in 2006 with the integration of two longstanding TCD research groups: the Image Synthesis Group [ISG], established in 1993, and the Computer Vision and Robotics Group [CVRG], which was established 1983.Head of GV2, Prof Carol O’SullivanComputer Science Dept., Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

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Environmental Change, ECFocusing on on how the Earth’s environments have changed, or are changing, over a range of different time scales from 50k years to the near instantaneous.Director Dr Paula ReimerArchaeology and Palaeoecology Building, Queen’s University Belfast, 42 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AX [email protected]

Environmental Health Sciences Institute, EHSIThe Environmental Health Sciences Institute (EHSI) is a dedicated research institute for inter-disciplinary environmental health sciences research. It integrates scientific and technical expertise with planning, policy and regulatory capability and relevant industry partners to bridge the science-policy-innovation gap. The mission is to achieve healthier lives for children, the elderly and vulnerable populations. Dr Noreen LaydenDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]/researchandenterprise/researchinstitutes/

Environmental Research InstituteThe Institute brings biological, chemical and environmental sciences together for research and education. The Institute is also involved in transfer of technology to industry. Thematic areas include sustainable energy, environmental chemistry, microbiology, biodiversity, aquatic biology and environmental regulations.Manager, Dr Paul Bolger.University College Cork, Lee Road, Cork. 021 [email protected]://eri.ucc.ie

Environmental Science Research InstituteThe Institute brings together pure and applied researchers who investigate a range of Earth systems, with an emphasis on those with societal relevance. Examples include research on natural hazards and climate change, as well as human and physical influences in ecological, freshwater, coastal, and maritime systems. See ESRI for the other groups.Director Prof Sandy SteacySchool of Environmental Sciences, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA [email protected]/esri

Environmental Technologies and Biomaterials Research ClusterGroup of researchers with focus on applying chemical principles, analytical techniques and novel materials to environmental and medical applications.Chemistry Department NUI Maynooth,

Epithelian Immunology GroupResearch on how the lung epithelial cells act as a protective layer.Head of Laboratory Dr Shirley O’DeaNUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

ESRI Centre for Maritime ArchaeologyThe CMA brings together science and the humanities to investigate evolving maritime and freshwater cultural landscapes - extending from riverine and lacustrine environments to the open ocean, with emphasis on coastal and nearshore archaeology. It recognises that coasts are complex systems whose archaeology is influenced by a range of interacting variables.Dr Colin BreenUniversity of Ulster. [email protected]

ESRI Coastal SystemsThis group studies coastal geomorphic change at timescales from millennia to seconds, focusing on the decadal to centennial scale. Spatial scales range from a single beach to global comparisons of coastal landforms. In coastal management, research assesses the utility of various societal approaches and the constraints imposed by human values and organisational structures. Prof Andrew CooperUniversity of Ulster. [email protected]

ESRI Freshwater ScienceResearch in this area aims to understand the behaviour of rivers and lakes in catchments in order to model their important physicochemical and biological properties. There are three research themes: catchments and river quality, including groundwaters; fate of chemicals in lakes and; lake ecology. The group co-operates with UK and Irish end-users of the research.Prof Brian RippeyUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

ESRI GeophysicsThis group focuses on understanding the science of earthquakes, particularly their location, timing, and size. One main emphasis has been on the Sumatran megathrust where a series of large events has provided unprecedented insight into the working of subduction zones. Another major area of investigation is the continuing earthquake sequence in the Christchurch region.Prof John McCloskeyUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

ESRI Quaternary Environmental ChangeThe main aim of this research is to better understand the processes of large-scale and long-term global change that occurred during the Quaternary. The group conducts research on reconstructing Quaternary ice sheets, ice-marginal fluctuations, ice-sheet dynamics, bedform generation and other landscape changes using terrestrial and marine remote sensing techniques, sedimentary analysis and cosmogenic surface exposure dating.Dr Paul DunlopUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

ESRI Terrestrial EcologyThe main aim of this research is understanding how local and regional ecological processes influence biodiversity and ecosystem functions and assessing the ecological impacts of environmental change. Applications relate to biodiversity conservation, habitat management and delivery of important ecosystem services such as the provision of food and the carbon sequestration ability of soils.Dr Alan CooperUniversity of Ulster [email protected]

Estuarine Research Laboratory, ERGMulti-disciplinary gtoup carrying out research into estuarine and coastal ecosystems.Group Leader Dr Peter McLoughlinWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Euro-BioImagingEuro‐BioImaging is a large‐scale pan‐European research infrastructure project which will deploy a distributed biological and biomedical imaging infrastructure in Europe in a coordinated and harmonized manner by providing access to and training in imaging technologies. The associated partners of the Euro-BioImaging are NBIP Ireland and NUI, Galway.Tel: +43-1-5334064-538 [email protected]

Euro Smart Cities Research CentreA project at the IBM R&D centre located in Dublin. The research centre is the first to be established by IBM within the EUIBM, Mulhuddard, Co Dublin.

European Centre for Clinical Trials in Rare DiseaseOne of the centres in a European network conducting clinical trials in treating rare diseases.Director Dr Brendan BuckleyClinical Trials Unit, University College Cork. Cork. 021 [email protected]

European Centre for Connected HealthECCH, established in 2008 with the aim of improving living conditions for chronically ill.3rd Floor, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT28BS. 028 [email protected]

Fault Analysis GroupConducting research on faulting and other types of fractures and applying the results in hydrocarbon and mineral exploration.UCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Federated Autonomic Management of End-to-Eng Communication Services, FAMEA Strategic Research Cluster working on solving the problems involved in communications over a heterogeneous network infrastructure. Based at WIT and involving researchers from a number of colleges and collaborating with industry.Dr W DonnellyTSSG, Waterford Institute of [email protected]

Fetal Behaviour Research GroupResearch on prenatal behaviour.Catherine LynchRoyal Jubilee Maternity Service Royal Hospitals, 274 Grosnevor Road, Belfast BT7 1NN 028 90974230

Financial Mathematics Computation Cluster, FMC2A cluster of researchers from UCD, NUIM and DCU bringing together financial mathematics, financial economics and computer science.Cluster Manager Irene WardSchool of Business, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

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Fire Safety Engineering and Technology Centre, FireSERTThe Fire Safety Engineering Research and Technology Centre (FireSERT) seeks to improve building practices and reduce the human and economic costs of unwanted fires. The Centre performs and supports field and analytical research on the performance of construction materials, components, systems and practices and identifies and quantifies the fundamental processes underlying the initiation, propagation, and suppression of fires.Director, Prof Michael DelichatsiosUniversity of Ulsterwww.beri.ulster.ac.uk

Fluids and Heat Transfer GroupModlling and analysis of fluid dynamics, heat transfer and thermodynamics.School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Fluids, Acoustics and Vibration GroupConducting research on modelling and analysis of vibro-acoustic problems.School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Foams and Complex Systems Research GroupStudy of the physics of foam formation.Dr Stefan HutzlerSchool of Physics Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Focas InstituteThe Institute provides a common, core facility and equipment for research activities in science and engineering. It has received further significant funding under PRTLI Cycle 4 as part of the multi-institutional National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Ireland (NBIPI) and the Integrated NanoSciences Platform for Ireland (INSPIRE) and has established significant links with key researchers in Universities and research centres across Europe.Dublin Institute of Technology.Prof Hugh J Byrne01 [email protected]

Food and Health Research Centre, FHRCCross-disciplinary teams conduct research relevant to policy makers and industry.Catherine Barry RyanDublin Institute of Technology [email protected]

Food Health Ireland, FHILinking researchers at UCC, UCC, Teagasc, UL with industry partners to develop health enhancing foods. The group has a strong focus on dairy products.Univerity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Food Microbiology Research Group, FMRGUndertaking research on microbiological challenges facing food producers. Prof David McDowellBiomedical Science Research Institute School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, 028 [email protected]/food/

Food Product Development CentreResearch and development for the food industry. Fiona WalshDublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1. 01 [email protected]/dit/index-62.html

Forest EcologyInvestigating life in the forest environment. Dr Sandra IrwinDepartment of Zoology. Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork. Distillery Fields, 021 [email protected]/en.forestecology

Freshwater Sciences Research GroupStudying the behaviour of rivers and lake catchments to understand and model physiochemical and biological properties.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Game Based Learning, GBLGroup involved in design, deployment and evaluation of game based learning in primary, secondary and third level education. The primary aim is to apply and inform best practices for the design and deployment of game-based learning solutions.Dr Patrick FeliciaWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/gbl

GameCOREIncludes research in the areas of computer networking, computer game engines and serious computer games. A current significant project for the group is the EU/Enterprise Ireland funded Join-In Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) project aimed at alleviating social isolation as well as physical and cognitive decline in elderly people in Europe.Dr Greg Doyle, Ross Palmer, Dr Dara O”Broin.Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]/research/game-core.htm

Geochronology, Petrology and Isotype Geochemistry GroupThe Geochronology, Petrology and Isotope Geochemistry Group carries out research in geochronology; geodynamic evolution of continental crust; igneous and metamorphic petrology; environmental geochemistry; climate change; mineralisation, sediment provenance and igneous petrogenic studies in crustal evolution.UCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4.

GeoCOREInvolved with supporting regional and national industry in the development of testing, investigation and analysis techniques for the Built Environment. Based within the School of Engineering, GeoCORE’s major themes focus on geotechnics and Green Energy Optimisation, drawing together the established research skills of Engineers, Architects/Technologists and Construction Managers to investigate strongly applied solutions for industrial and public sector partners.Dan O’Sullivan.Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175436www.itcarlow.ie

Geometric Optics GroupConducting basic research in mathematics in an area with applications in physics, computer graphics and biomedical imaging. Collaborators in this group come from University of Durham, TCD and UCD.Brendan GilfoyleInstitute of Technology Tralee Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Geophysics GroupResearch on the Earth’s crustal system. Work includes fluid-rock interactions, seismic wave propagation, and crustal imagery. Prof Chris BeanUCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dubl;in 4. 01 [email protected]

Geophysics Research GroupStudy of the Earth’s crust, stress transfer and reseacrh on earthquakes.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Geotechnical Research GroupConducting applied research on spoil-structure interactions, onshore and offshore for the energy sector. Dr Conleth O’LoughlinInstitute of Technology Sligo, Sligo.

Geotechnics Research GroupResearch covering wide range of geo-environmental engineering topics.Dept of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

GlycoBiology GroupA research group within the National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training at UCD.Principal Investigator Pauline RuddNIBRT, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. [email protected]


Graphics Vision and Visualisation Group, GV2An internationally active group carrying out research in computer graphics, computer vision and all aspects of visual computing. GV2 was formed in 2006 with the integration of two longstanding TCD research groups: the Image Synthesis Group [ISG], established in 1993, and the Computer Vision and Robotics Group [CVRG], which was established 1983.Head of GV2, Prof Carol O’SullivanComputer Science Dept., Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

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Hamilton InstituteProviding the link between mathematics and applications in such areas as ICT and life sciences.NUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Hamilton Mathematics InstituteFostering mathematics and related disciplines.Dept of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.01 6081949hmi@[email protected]

Health Informatics Research GroupThe group conducts research and development on the application of IT to delivery of healthcare. T J McDonaldDepartment of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Health Psychology Research GroupThe application of psychological theory to health and health care systems.Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, f.harkin@ulster,ac.ukwww.science.ulster.ac.uk/psyri

Health Research Board Clinical Research FacilityLocated at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, the HRB CRF provides researchers and health professionals to collaborate on research in developing new treatments and assess effectiveness of established therapies.Director Prof Joe Eustace

Healthy FuturesAn FP7 funded proect led by TCD to assess water-related vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Rift Valley fever and schistosomiasis in eastern Africa.Project co-ordinator Prof David Taylorhttp://www.healthyfutures.eu

High Frequency Electronic Circuits groupLarge group developing novel generic solutions to advanced problems associated with wireless front-end technology.Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

High Performance and Distributed ComputingResearch is concentrated on the theory and application of high performance and distributed computing with particular focus on grid computing, e-Science, high performance computational science and novel computing.School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Bernard Crossland Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN [email protected]

Higher Education and Lifetime learning Research GroupAssessment through evidence-based practice in higher education. Assessment of competence, role of higher education in society, higher education with mature students, learning technology, and research methodology.Damien RafteryInstitute of Technology, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175343www.itcarlow

HRB Centre for Health and Diet ResearchConducting public health nutrition research. The centre, established 2008, involves collaboration between UCC, UCD, Institute of Public Health in Ireland, UU and Teagasc, and there are links to other bodies involved in food and nutrition.Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork. Brookfield Health Science Complex, 021 [email protected]://www.ucc.ie/en/hrbc/

HRB Centre for Primary Care ResearchA 5-year HRB-funded programme, led by the Department of General Practice RCSI, in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast. The Centre also collaborates with Cochrane Primary Health Care Field and EU TRANSFoRm Project.RCSI, Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 201 402 [email protected]

Humaine CentreResearch on computer developments that mesh with human characteristics, such as emotions and expression.Queen’s University Belfast. School of Psychology, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN. [email protected]

Human Factors Research GroupA research and consultancy group within UCC working on information technology. The group has developed questionnaires that are used extensively in the IT sector.Director Jurek KirakowskiNorth Mall Enterprise Centre, University College Cork. Cork. 021 [email protected]

Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, HMRCEstablished in 1979 as a centre for research and development in ocean renewables and coastal engineering. Mary RyanHMRC, University College Cork. Cork. 021 [email protected]/research/hmrc

Hydrogen Safety Engineering and Research, HySAFERThe HySAFER Centre is concerned with research on computational fluid dynamics, in particular on sub-grid-scale modelling and validation of large eddy simulation (LES) models of the physical phenomena underlying hydrogen safety. Research topics range from hydrogen sub-sonic and supersonic releases and dispersion in the open atmosphere and enclosures, through spontaneous ignition of hydrogen in air during sudden releases, high momentum jet fires and interaction between fires and structures, to large scale non-uniform deflagrations and transition from deflagration-to-detonation.BERI, University of Ulster.Director, Prof Vladimir Molkovwww.beri.ulster.ac.uk

Immunology Research Centre, IRCBringing leaders in the field of Immunology in Ireland together, along with industrial partners, to better understand and exploit the interface between innate and adaptive immunity.Dr Jim HarrisSchool of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin. Dublin 2. 01 8963865jaharris.ie

INDICATE, Interdisciplinary Cancer Research TeamBased at DIT Kevin Street. Developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents. Operates under the umbrella of the Focus Institute at DIT. Dr Fiona [email protected]

Industrial Engineering Optics, IEOSpecialising in holographic and interferometric techniques.Centre Manager Dr Suzanne MartinDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]

Infection and Immunity Research GroupConducting research across broad range of issues relating to infection and immunity, and working with industry.Prof Geoffrey McMullanBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 [email protected]

Information and Communication Engineering, ICEGroup Leader Prof Sally McCleanSchool of Computing and Information Engineering, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA 028 [email protected]

Information and Communication Technology, ITOBOWorking on improving the management of large-scale constructions. Applying IT to holistic building control.Prof Karsten Menzel.University College Cork.

Innovation for Ireland’s Energy Efficiency, 12E2The I2E2 Energy Research Centre is a government sponsored Technology Centre, established to facilitate research having a direct impact on industry. The I2E2 research focus is on energy efficiency improvements in factories, plant, equipment and buildings. The current research agenda focuses on compressed air systems characterisation, use and solution integration; appropriate work environments and HVAC systems. The innovations will enable the Irish manufacturing industry to improve competitiveness via breakthroughs in energy efficiency and cost reduction. Mark Fitzgerald IR1-0, Collinstown Industrial Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

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Irish Science Handbook 2012 38 Leading Ireland’s participation in FP7

a384m won by 1,200 Irish applicants

Irish SMEs ranked 1st in EU**source: Fourth FP7 Monitoring Report 2011

Ireland’s Champions of EU ResearchBuilding a brighter future for European citizens

As leaders of major research projects in the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7) the researchers from academic institutions and companies in Ireland listed below are deemed to have reached the pinnacle of the European research system.

Tackling societal challenges concerning our health, the sanctity of our environment, energy demands and transport challenges, they are living proof of the world-class research that is ongoing in Ireland and testament to the robust research infrastructure that has been built in Ireland over recent years.

Their achievements were recognised at Ireland’s Champions of EU Research in Dublin on 8th June 2012 which was attended by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. The event was hosted by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of Ireland’s National Support Network for FP7.

AquaTT UETP Ltd.Murphy, David

BioAtlantis Ltd.O’Sullivan, John T

Chancel Ltd.Shannon, Eoin

Daithi O Murchu Marine Research Station Ltd.Maguire, Julie

DePuy (Ireland)Clerkin, Gary

Downey Hynes PartnershipHynes, William

Eblana Photonics Ltd.Somers, Jim

Epi-Light Ltd.Hawe, Eamonn

HKPB Scientifi c Ltd.Haverty, Donncha

Holfeld Plastics Ltd.Ward, PatrickCullen, John

IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd.Cunningham, Paul

Infrasonic Ltd.Pilla, Francesco

Innopharma LabsJones, Ian

Kingspan Research and Developments Ltd.Dowd, Lorcan

Lightwave Optics Ltd. (Irish Precision Optics)Roy, Arun Kumar

LM Ericsson Ltd.Krco, Srdjan

OneCard Total Solutions Ltd.Hogan, Con

Opsona Therapeutics Ltd.Reilly, Mary

Roughan & O’DonovanO’Brien, Eugene

Sigmoid Pharma Ltd.Coulter, Ivan

Solarprint Ltd.Bari, Mazhar

Solearth Ecological ArchitectureO’Brien, Brian

Spectrum Telecom Installations Ltd.Carey, Billy

Symantec Ltd.Leita, Corrado

The National Microelectronics Applications Centre Ltd.O’Flaherty, John

Ultra High Vacuum Solutions Ltd.Clochard, Laurent

Wavebob Ltd.Parish, Andrew

Athlone Institute of TechnologyDevine, Declan

Cork Institute of TechnologyCantillon-Murphy, Padraig Pesch, Dirk

Dublin City UniversityAudouin, FabriceBertoncello, PaoloConway, MauraConway, MauraDiamond, DermotFraser, Kevin JamesGuasoni, PaoloHeise, AndreasHolthofer, HarryIrving, KateKapela, RafalKillard, TonyLandais, PascalLynam, CarolMarsili, EnricoMcLoughlin, EilishNikolopoulos, LamprosÓ Beacháin, DonnachaStaines, AnthonySukno, FedericoTropea, Daniela

Dublin Institute for Advanced StudiesBosch-Ramon, ValentiCaratti O Garatti, AlessioCoffey, Deirdre

Dublin Institute of TechnologyCullen, CharlieKilfeather, Eoin

Economic & Social Research InstituteSmyth, Emer

European Health Management AssociationBremner, Jeni

Health Research BoardMaguire, Teresa

Higher Education AuthorityO’Connor, Pat

Institute of Technology TallaghtK.P. Pillai, KrishnakumarDempsey, Eithne

Institute of Technology TraleeTierney, JoannaWalsh, Joseph

Institute of Technology, SligoTormey, David

Irish Research CouncilCarthy, SorchaHynes, Martin

Limerick Institute of TechnologyStutte, GaryWalsh, Daniel

National College of Art and DesignO Conchubhair, Gearoid

National University of Ireland, GalwayBarry, FrankBliokh, KonstantinBuerstedde, Jean-MarieBuitelaar, PaulCollins, GavinCunningham, Laoise MariaDecker, StefanGrehan, AnthonyHausenblas, MichaelHauswirth, ManfredHayes, Jessica SJoshi, LokeshKanno, TatsuoKaratzas, Kimon-AndreasLaffey, JohnLi, RuihuaLo Re, DanieleMacFarlane, AnneO’Brien, TimO’Connor, GerardPandit, AbhayQuinn, GerardShearer, AndrewWang, RongchangWard, Brian

National University of Ireland, MaynoothCollier, Martin AnthonyFindlay, JohnGrant, Olga MaryHendy, Gillian MaryHormozi, LaylaO Riain, SeanO’Dea, Shirley

Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandBrugha, RuairiByrne, AnnetteDavila, DavidGonzalez Sanchez, Jose AntonioMcKiernan, EadaoinO’Brien, Fergal JosephPrehn, Jochen

Research Institute for a Tobacco Free SocietyClancy, Luke

Science Foundation IrelandSimpson, Stephen

Shannon DevelopmentCallanan, Brian

TeagascBarth, SusanneBerry, DonaghO’Brien, BernadetteDewhurst, Richard JamesGrogan, HelenO’Driscoll, Keelin

Trinity College DublinBasu, BiswajitBegley, CecilyBlanco, FernandoBloomfi eld, David ShaunBradley, DanielBrennan, SabinaChaika, AlexanderCleaver, LauraColeman, JonathanConnon, StephenDreher, Jean-ClaudEdmund, JenniferFlavin, KevinGorman, Michael JohnGunning, Robert DenisHintersteiner, NorbertJin, LeiKamber, Balz SamuelKelly, Daniel JohnLawlor, BrianLynch, LydiaMacLachlan, MalcolmMatthews, Mark Joseph McDonald, NickMcLaughlin, MylesMcLoughlin, Rachel, MaryMerdjanova, Ina (Dimitrina)O’Doherty, JohnO’Neill, LukeO’Sullivan, Carol

Purseigle, PierreRuffi ni, MarcoSanvito, StefanoSchulzke, CarolaStordal, Britta Kristina(& Dublin City University)Sykora, DanielTaylor, DavidThomas, Christopher Volkov, YuriWade, VinnyWalsh, Patrick TimothyWan, ChaoyingWolfe, Kenneth

University College CorkBardosova, MariaCarmody, RuaidhriColinge, Jean-PierreCorbett, BrianDempsey, EugeneDoyle, HughFagas, GeorgiosGocalinska, AgnieszkaGupta, Manoj KumarHealy, KenHealy, Robert MichaelHuyet, GuillaumeIacopino, DanielaJaksic, AleksandarKeeshan, KarenKenny, LouiseLewis, TonyMainer, SergiManning, MaryMarshall, MelanieMenzel, KarstenMooij, Marlies, J.Moore, Alfred JamesMorris, MichaelO’Mahony, DenisO’Murchu, CianO’Connor, RosemaryO’Reilly, EoinO’Riordan, AlanPinhasi, RonQuinn, AidanRaghunandan, RanjiniRalph, DavidSchmuck, StephanSillitoe, PeterSreenan, Cormac JohnStam, FrankStanivukovic, GoranTangney, John MarkTownsend, PaulWang, NingNingYilmaz, Ercan

University College DublinAlbrecht, MartinBirtwistle, Marc RusselCasey, EoinCoffey, RoryCôté, Sylvana MDaly, AoifeDawson, KennethDe Londras, FionaDias, FredericDickson, Matthew RonaldDunne, Louise

Everard, ColmGallagher, WilliamGavin, KennethGerwarth, Robert BenjaminGibney, MichaelGowen, AoifeGrimes, NicoleGuazzelli, LorenzoHadjadj Aoul, YassineHeckman, JamesJarikote, Dilip VenkatraoJones, Anna FrancesKilinc, DevrimKolch, WalterMartines, ElenaMatthews, JamesMcBreen, SheilaMcElwain, Jennifer ClaireMcHugh, LouiseMcNally, CiaranMeloni, SimoneMitchell, JenniferMurphy, JohnO’Brien, EugeneO’Hare, GregoryO’Rourke, SharonPagell, MarkPlatt, MarkReilly, RichardRibeiro de Menezes, AlisonStenson, Nancy JeanTremblay, RichardWall, PatrickZagozdzon, RadoslawDestrade, MichelLibel, TamirWIlliams, Brendan

University of LimerickAmarandei, GeorgeAragao, DavidDukkipati, AbhiramGrech, HelenGrimes, RonanGunnigle, PatrickHayes, MichaelO’Keeffe, SineadSalmon, NancySchmalenberger, Achim KarstenSheahan, ConTofail, Syed A. M.Tosi, Daniele

Waterford Institute of TechnologyClarke, JamesCleary, FrancesDonnelly, WilliamFoley, BrianMcGovern, JohnMcLoughlin, PeterNolan, John MichaelÓ Foghlú, MícheálPhelan, John Paul

The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007-2013 has a total budget of c50 billion. Ireland is well on its way to reaching the national target of winning c600 million.

The fi nal call for applications to the Seventh EU Framework Programme opens in July 2012. Companies and academic researchers interested in making an application can fi nd out more by visiting www.fp7ireland.com

For projects ranked 1st in Europe

Dr Louise DunneUniversity College DublinTransitioning towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability – addressing the challenges faced by the authorities in Europe posed by increasing populations.

Dr Jennifer EdmondTrinity College DublinCollaborative European Digital/Archival Infrastructure – using technology to provide access to European medieval and modern history archives.

Prof James HeckmanUniversity College DublinUnderstanding health throughout the courseof life.

Mr Martin HynesIrish Research Council for Science, Engineering & TechnologyEnabling 50 experienced researchers to undertake up to two years of research outside of Ireland, and bring their learning home.

Dr Jennifer Claire McElwainUniversity College DublinAtmospheric oxygen as a driver of plant evolution over the past 400 million years.

High performing companiesIntel IrelandOpsona Therapeutics LtdWavebob

FP7 Project LeadersSpecial Awards

Members of Ireland’s NationalSupport Network for FP7

A4_FP7_DD1.indd 1 18/06/2012 09:17:03

Hamilton InstituteProviding the link between mathematics and applications in such areas as ICT and life sciences.NUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Hamilton Mathematics InstituteFostering mathematics and related disciplines.Dept of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.01 6081949hmi@[email protected]

Health Informatics Research GroupThe group conducts research and development on the application of IT to delivery of healthcare. T J McDonaldDepartment of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Health Psychology Research GroupThe application of psychological theory to health and health care systems.Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, f.harkin@ulster,ac.ukwww.science.ulster.ac.uk/psyri

Health Research Board Clinical Research FacilityLocated at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, the HRB CRF provides researchers and health professionals to collaborate on research in developing new treatments and assess effectiveness of established therapies.Director Prof Joe Eustace

Healthy FuturesAn FP7 funded proect led by TCD to assess water-related vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Rift Valley fever and schistosomiasis in eastern Africa.Project co-ordinator Prof David Taylorhttp://www.healthyfutures.eu

High Frequency Electronic Circuits groupLarge group developing novel generic solutions to advanced problems associated with wireless front-end technology.Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

High Performance and Distributed ComputingResearch is concentrated on the theory and application of high performance and distributed computing with particular focus on grid computing, e-Science, high performance computational science and novel computing.School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Bernard Crossland Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN [email protected]

Higher Education and Lifetime learning Research GroupAssessment through evidence-based practice in higher education. Assessment of competence, role of higher education in society, higher education with mature students, learning technology, and research methodology.Damien RafteryInstitute of Technology, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175343www.itcarlow

HRB Centre for Health and Diet ResearchConducting public health nutrition research. The centre, established 2008, involves collaboration between UCC, UCD, Institute of Public Health in Ireland, UU and Teagasc, and there are links to other bodies involved in food and nutrition.Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork. Brookfield Health Science Complex, 021 [email protected]://www.ucc.ie/en/hrbc/

HRB Centre for Primary Care ResearchA 5-year HRB-funded programme, led by the Department of General Practice RCSI, in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast. The Centre also collaborates with Cochrane Primary Health Care Field and EU TRANSFoRm Project.RCSI, Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 201 402 [email protected]

Humaine CentreResearch on computer developments that mesh with human characteristics, such as emotions and expression.Queen’s University Belfast. School of Psychology, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN. [email protected]

Human Factors Research GroupA research and consultancy group within UCC working on information technology. The group has developed questionnaires that are used extensively in the IT sector.Director Jurek KirakowskiNorth Mall Enterprise Centre, University College Cork. Cork. 021 [email protected]

Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, HMRCEstablished in 1979 as a centre for research and development in ocean renewables and coastal engineering. Mary RyanHMRC, University College Cork. Cork. 021 [email protected]/research/hmrc

Hydrogen Safety Engineering and Research, HySAFERThe HySAFER Centre is concerned with research on computational fluid dynamics, in particular on sub-grid-scale modelling and validation of large eddy simulation (LES) models of the physical phenomena underlying hydrogen safety. Research topics range from hydrogen sub-sonic and supersonic releases and dispersion in the open atmosphere and enclosures, through spontaneous ignition of hydrogen in air during sudden releases, high momentum jet fires and interaction between fires and structures, to large scale non-uniform deflagrations and transition from deflagration-to-detonation.BERI, University of Ulster.Director, Prof Vladimir Molkovwww.beri.ulster.ac.uk

Immunology Research Centre, IRCBringing leaders in the field of Immunology in Ireland together, along with industrial partners, to better understand and exploit the interface between innate and adaptive immunity.Dr Jim HarrisSchool of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin. Dublin 2. 01 8963865jaharris.ie

INDICATE, Interdisciplinary Cancer Research TeamBased at DIT Kevin Street. Developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents. Operates under the umbrella of the Focus Institute at DIT. Dr Fiona [email protected]

Industrial Engineering Optics, IEOSpecialising in holographic and interferometric techniques.Centre Manager Dr Suzanne MartinDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]

Infection and Immunity Research GroupConducting research across broad range of issues relating to infection and immunity, and working with industry.Prof Geoffrey McMullanBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 [email protected]

Information and Communication Engineering, ICEGroup Leader Prof Sally McCleanSchool of Computing and Information Engineering, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA 028 [email protected]

Information and Communication Technology, ITOBOWorking on improving the management of large-scale constructions. Applying IT to holistic building control.Prof Karsten Menzel.University College Cork.

Innovation for Ireland’s Energy Efficiency, 12E2The I2E2 Energy Research Centre is a government sponsored Technology Centre, established to facilitate research having a direct impact on industry. The I2E2 research focus is on energy efficiency improvements in factories, plant, equipment and buildings. The current research agenda focuses on compressed air systems characterisation, use and solution integration; appropriate work environments and HVAC systems. The innovations will enable the Irish manufacturing industry to improve competitiveness via breakthroughs in energy efficiency and cost reduction. Mark Fitzgerald IR1-0, Collinstown Industrial Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

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Irish Science Handbook 2012 38 Leading Ireland’s participation in FP7

a384m won by 1,200 Irish applicants

Irish SMEs ranked 1st in EU**source: Fourth FP7 Monitoring Report 2011

Ireland’s Champions of EU ResearchBuilding a brighter future for European citizens

As leaders of major research projects in the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7) the researchers from academic institutions and companies in Ireland listed below are deemed to have reached the pinnacle of the European research system.

Tackling societal challenges concerning our health, the sanctity of our environment, energy demands and transport challenges, they are living proof of the world-class research that is ongoing in Ireland and testament to the robust research infrastructure that has been built in Ireland over recent years.

Their achievements were recognised at Ireland’s Champions of EU Research in Dublin on 8th June 2012 which was attended by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. The event was hosted by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of Ireland’s National Support Network for FP7.

AquaTT UETP Ltd.Murphy, David

BioAtlantis Ltd.O’Sullivan, John T

Chancel Ltd.Shannon, Eoin

Daithi O Murchu Marine Research Station Ltd.Maguire, Julie

DePuy (Ireland)Clerkin, Gary

Downey Hynes PartnershipHynes, William

Eblana Photonics Ltd.Somers, Jim

Epi-Light Ltd.Hawe, Eamonn

HKPB Scientifi c Ltd.Haverty, Donncha

Holfeld Plastics Ltd.Ward, PatrickCullen, John

IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd.Cunningham, Paul

Infrasonic Ltd.Pilla, Francesco

Innopharma LabsJones, Ian

Kingspan Research and Developments Ltd.Dowd, Lorcan

Lightwave Optics Ltd. (Irish Precision Optics)Roy, Arun Kumar

LM Ericsson Ltd.Krco, Srdjan

OneCard Total Solutions Ltd.Hogan, Con

Opsona Therapeutics Ltd.Reilly, Mary

Roughan & O’DonovanO’Brien, Eugene

Sigmoid Pharma Ltd.Coulter, Ivan

Solarprint Ltd.Bari, Mazhar

Solearth Ecological ArchitectureO’Brien, Brian

Spectrum Telecom Installations Ltd.Carey, Billy

Symantec Ltd.Leita, Corrado

The National Microelectronics Applications Centre Ltd.O’Flaherty, John

Ultra High Vacuum Solutions Ltd.Clochard, Laurent

Wavebob Ltd.Parish, Andrew

Athlone Institute of TechnologyDevine, Declan

Cork Institute of TechnologyCantillon-Murphy, Padraig Pesch, Dirk

Dublin City UniversityAudouin, FabriceBertoncello, PaoloConway, MauraConway, MauraDiamond, DermotFraser, Kevin JamesGuasoni, PaoloHeise, AndreasHolthofer, HarryIrving, KateKapela, RafalKillard, TonyLandais, PascalLynam, CarolMarsili, EnricoMcLoughlin, EilishNikolopoulos, LamprosÓ Beacháin, DonnachaStaines, AnthonySukno, FedericoTropea, Daniela

Dublin Institute for Advanced StudiesBosch-Ramon, ValentiCaratti O Garatti, AlessioCoffey, Deirdre

Dublin Institute of TechnologyCullen, CharlieKilfeather, Eoin

Economic & Social Research InstituteSmyth, Emer

European Health Management AssociationBremner, Jeni

Health Research BoardMaguire, Teresa

Higher Education AuthorityO’Connor, Pat

Institute of Technology TallaghtK.P. Pillai, KrishnakumarDempsey, Eithne

Institute of Technology TraleeTierney, JoannaWalsh, Joseph

Institute of Technology, SligoTormey, David

Irish Research CouncilCarthy, SorchaHynes, Martin

Limerick Institute of TechnologyStutte, GaryWalsh, Daniel

National College of Art and DesignO Conchubhair, Gearoid

National University of Ireland, GalwayBarry, FrankBliokh, KonstantinBuerstedde, Jean-MarieBuitelaar, PaulCollins, GavinCunningham, Laoise MariaDecker, StefanGrehan, AnthonyHausenblas, MichaelHauswirth, ManfredHayes, Jessica SJoshi, LokeshKanno, TatsuoKaratzas, Kimon-AndreasLaffey, JohnLi, RuihuaLo Re, DanieleMacFarlane, AnneO’Brien, TimO’Connor, GerardPandit, AbhayQuinn, GerardShearer, AndrewWang, RongchangWard, Brian

National University of Ireland, MaynoothCollier, Martin AnthonyFindlay, JohnGrant, Olga MaryHendy, Gillian MaryHormozi, LaylaO Riain, SeanO’Dea, Shirley

Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandBrugha, RuairiByrne, AnnetteDavila, DavidGonzalez Sanchez, Jose AntonioMcKiernan, EadaoinO’Brien, Fergal JosephPrehn, Jochen

Research Institute for a Tobacco Free SocietyClancy, Luke

Science Foundation IrelandSimpson, Stephen

Shannon DevelopmentCallanan, Brian

TeagascBarth, SusanneBerry, DonaghO’Brien, BernadetteDewhurst, Richard JamesGrogan, HelenO’Driscoll, Keelin

Trinity College DublinBasu, BiswajitBegley, CecilyBlanco, FernandoBloomfi eld, David ShaunBradley, DanielBrennan, SabinaChaika, AlexanderCleaver, LauraColeman, JonathanConnon, StephenDreher, Jean-ClaudEdmund, JenniferFlavin, KevinGorman, Michael JohnGunning, Robert DenisHintersteiner, NorbertJin, LeiKamber, Balz SamuelKelly, Daniel JohnLawlor, BrianLynch, LydiaMacLachlan, MalcolmMatthews, Mark Joseph McDonald, NickMcLaughlin, MylesMcLoughlin, Rachel, MaryMerdjanova, Ina (Dimitrina)O’Doherty, JohnO’Neill, LukeO’Sullivan, Carol

Purseigle, PierreRuffi ni, MarcoSanvito, StefanoSchulzke, CarolaStordal, Britta Kristina(& Dublin City University)Sykora, DanielTaylor, DavidThomas, Christopher Volkov, YuriWade, VinnyWalsh, Patrick TimothyWan, ChaoyingWolfe, Kenneth

University College CorkBardosova, MariaCarmody, RuaidhriColinge, Jean-PierreCorbett, BrianDempsey, EugeneDoyle, HughFagas, GeorgiosGocalinska, AgnieszkaGupta, Manoj KumarHealy, KenHealy, Robert MichaelHuyet, GuillaumeIacopino, DanielaJaksic, AleksandarKeeshan, KarenKenny, LouiseLewis, TonyMainer, SergiManning, MaryMarshall, MelanieMenzel, KarstenMooij, Marlies, J.Moore, Alfred JamesMorris, MichaelO’Mahony, DenisO’Murchu, CianO’Connor, RosemaryO’Reilly, EoinO’Riordan, AlanPinhasi, RonQuinn, AidanRaghunandan, RanjiniRalph, DavidSchmuck, StephanSillitoe, PeterSreenan, Cormac JohnStam, FrankStanivukovic, GoranTangney, John MarkTownsend, PaulWang, NingNingYilmaz, Ercan

University College DublinAlbrecht, MartinBirtwistle, Marc RusselCasey, EoinCoffey, RoryCôté, Sylvana MDaly, AoifeDawson, KennethDe Londras, FionaDias, FredericDickson, Matthew RonaldDunne, Louise

Everard, ColmGallagher, WilliamGavin, KennethGerwarth, Robert BenjaminGibney, MichaelGowen, AoifeGrimes, NicoleGuazzelli, LorenzoHadjadj Aoul, YassineHeckman, JamesJarikote, Dilip VenkatraoJones, Anna FrancesKilinc, DevrimKolch, WalterMartines, ElenaMatthews, JamesMcBreen, SheilaMcElwain, Jennifer ClaireMcHugh, LouiseMcNally, CiaranMeloni, SimoneMitchell, JenniferMurphy, JohnO’Brien, EugeneO’Hare, GregoryO’Rourke, SharonPagell, MarkPlatt, MarkReilly, RichardRibeiro de Menezes, AlisonStenson, Nancy JeanTremblay, RichardWall, PatrickZagozdzon, RadoslawDestrade, MichelLibel, TamirWIlliams, Brendan

University of LimerickAmarandei, GeorgeAragao, DavidDukkipati, AbhiramGrech, HelenGrimes, RonanGunnigle, PatrickHayes, MichaelO’Keeffe, SineadSalmon, NancySchmalenberger, Achim KarstenSheahan, ConTofail, Syed A. M.Tosi, Daniele

Waterford Institute of TechnologyClarke, JamesCleary, FrancesDonnelly, WilliamFoley, BrianMcGovern, JohnMcLoughlin, PeterNolan, John MichaelÓ Foghlú, MícheálPhelan, John Paul

The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007-2013 has a total budget of c50 billion. Ireland is well on its way to reaching the national target of winning c600 million.

The fi nal call for applications to the Seventh EU Framework Programme opens in July 2012. Companies and academic researchers interested in making an application can fi nd out more by visiting www.fp7ireland.com

For projects ranked 1st in Europe

Dr Louise DunneUniversity College DublinTransitioning towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability – addressing the challenges faced by the authorities in Europe posed by increasing populations.

Dr Jennifer EdmondTrinity College DublinCollaborative European Digital/Archival Infrastructure – using technology to provide access to European medieval and modern history archives.

Prof James HeckmanUniversity College DublinUnderstanding health throughout the courseof life.

Mr Martin HynesIrish Research Council for Science, Engineering & TechnologyEnabling 50 experienced researchers to undertake up to two years of research outside of Ireland, and bring their learning home.

Dr Jennifer Claire McElwainUniversity College DublinAtmospheric oxygen as a driver of plant evolution over the past 400 million years.

High performing companiesIntel IrelandOpsona Therapeutics LtdWavebob

FP7 Project LeadersSpecial Awards

Members of Ireland’s NationalSupport Network for FP7

A4_FP7_DD1.indd 1 18/06/2012 09:17:03

Innovation Value InstituteResearch into improved management of IT. The Institute has addressed issues of design, capability, business alignment and risk management for a number of organisations.Academic Director Prof Brian DonnellanNUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Innovative Molecular Materials Group, IMMCharacterisation of reactive intermediates, analysis and development of molecular level processes to modify materials.Director of Research Prof S E BellSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG. 028 90975418

Inorganic Pharma and Biomimetric Research CentreThe centre runs a number of postgraduate and undergraduate research projects on novel material developments. Applications include molecular recognition, biomimetic chemistry and supramolecular chemistry. Prof Mary McNamaraDublin Institute of Technology [email protected]/ipbrc

Inorganic Synthesis with Medical ApplicationsResearch on synthesis of metal complexes with potential for medical applications.Dr Malachy McCannDepartment of Chemistry NUI Maynooth [email protected]

Insect Ecophysiology GroupResearch on insect-plant interactions Dr Tom WilkinsonUCD School of Biology and Environmental Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Institute for Networks and Communications Engineering, RINCEResearch on engineering technologies including image processing, high speed devices and networks.Faculty of Engineering and Computing Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, IAFLUConducting environmental, food safety and nutritional research of local, national and international importanceQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology, ECITResearch groups in key areas of advanced digital and communications technology. Within the Institute there are research clusters on high-frequency electronic circuits, systems-on-chip, digital digital communications, speech and vision systems. Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

Institute of ImmunologySeven research groups operate within the Institute working in such areas as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Researchers collaborate with colleagues around the globe.Biosciences and Engineering Building, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Molecular MedicineConducting research over a broad range of areas including cell signaling, immunology, molecular microbiology and cancer.Director Prof Dermot KelleherTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/IMM

Integrated Aircraft Technologies Research ClusterWithin the cluster there are a number of specific research projects relating to aerospace technolgies. Dr Adrian MurphySchool of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, [email protected]

Intelligent Systems and Controls, ISACResearch is concerned with theoretical and technological advances and their application in intelligent control of engineering and other systems. Prof George IrwinSchool of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, 028 [email protected]

Intelligent Systems Research CentreResearch on mimicing aspects of natural intelligence in computer systems, the development of smarter mobile devices, and working with neuroscientists on hybrid systems.Director Prof Martin McGinnityMS111 University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry BT487JL [email protected]

Internal Combustion Engines Research GroupResearch on engine modelling, after-treatment systems, turbo systems and design. Prof Roy DouglasSchool of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, [email protected]

International Centre for NeurotherapeuticsThe centre undertakes research into the fundamental mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and its control by voltage-activated K+ channels.Research and Engineering Building, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]/icnt

International Energy Research Centre, IERCA collaboration between industry, agencies and research groups working on energy. Hosted by The Tyndall National Institute in Cork. With support of Enterprise Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority, IDA and SFI, the aim is to become a leading centre for collaborative research on integrated energy systems.Mark [email protected]

International Research Centre for System-on-Chip and Advanced Microwireless Integration,SoCaM 2Developing complete electronic systems on single silicon chips.Queen’s University Belfast Belfast BT3 9DT 044 28 [email protected]/SoCaM/

Ion Channel Biotechnology Centre, ICBCMultidisciplinary research on urinary incontinence and osteoarthritis.Dundalk Institute of Technology 042 [email protected]

Irish Centre for Authism and Neurodevelopment Research, ICANEducation, research and delivery of autism support services.Director Geraldine LeaderNUI Galway, Galway. www.nuigalway.ie/ican

Irish Centre for Composite Research, IcompEstablished as one of the Enterprise Ireland/IDA Competence Centres and hosted by the University of Limerick. Icomp works with industry to apply composite research and develop applications.Director Dr Terry McGrailUniversity of Limerick 061 [email protected]/comp

Irish Centre for Environmental Toxicology, ICETMulti-disciplinary environmental toxicology research centre based at GMIT and collaborating with AIT and NUI Gaway. Specialising in the development of new biomarkers for investigating chronic toxicity by novel pollutants, particuarly in mussels and fish.Dr Brian Quinn091 [email protected]

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Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research, ICMRICMR is a consortium of leading Irish manufacturers collaborating to conduct research and innovation. The industry-led research is designed to maintain our partners’ competitive edge. The current focus is on tacit knowledge management, production line simulation/cycle time improvement and measurement inference/part life-cycle prediction. In addressing these areas the ICMR is helping to ensure that Ireland remains the location of choice for advanced manufacturing in Europe.Mark FitzpatrickIR-0, Collinstown Industrial Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUSResearch on climate change and impact assessments on society.NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 7086834

Irish Drug Delivery NetworkNetwork of scientists working on replacement of injections with oral and inhaled drug delivery systems. Researchers from UCD, TCD, RCSI and UCCcollaborate with the support of SFI and industry, University College Dublin 01 [email protected]/iddn

Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster, IMERCAn alliance between University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Naval Service. The cluster was formed in 2011 to foster developments in marine and energy markets. A research base has been established at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.Director Dr Valerie Cummins021 [email protected]

Irish Phytochemical Food Network, IPFNThe Irish Phytochemical Food Network is an alliance of scientists generating knowledge on important plant bioactives (phytochemicals) and their impact on human health. The network looks at theses compounds in a farm to fork approach (all the food chain) from a multidisciplinary point of view gathering the expertise of chemists, biologists, engineers and nutritionists.Dr Juan ValverdeTeagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15. 01 8059500 [email protected]

Irish Separation Science ClusterIrish Separation Science Cluster, ISSCSFI funded Strategic Research Cluster Group composed of researchers involved in the development of next generation materials, technologies and assays for use in the delivery of robust novel methodologies enhancing the delivery of novel drug design, development and commercialisation. Key stakeholders include Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industry as well as original equipment manufacturers delivering solutions into this sector.Centre Secretary Angela Lally01 7008821angela.lally@@dcu.iewww.separationscience.ie

K Camp Research GroupComplex information management.School of Computing, DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Knowledge and Data EngineeringResearch focus is on advancing database systems, artificial intelligence, modelling and software adaptivity.School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Bernard Crossland Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN [email protected]

Laboratory of Molecular Evilution and Mammalian PhylogeneticsResearching evolutionary history of bats and other eutherian mammals, with particular focus on evolution of sensory perception, role of echolocation, conservation and evolution of natural immunity in mammals. Dr Emma TeelingSchool of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

LERO, Irish Software Engineering CentreLero is a software engineering research centre bringing together software engineering teams from universities and institutes in a coordinated centre with a strong industry focus.Director Prof Michael HinchleyUniversity of Limerick, Limerick. 061 233799www.lero.ie

Long Room HubEncouraging interdisciplinary research across spectrum of arts and humanities at TCD with particular interest in applying new technologies to unlock library resources.Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

M ZonesGroup at WIT involving partnerships with CIT and TCD, established with PTRLI support.Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford.

Macular Pigment Research Group, MPRGMPRG studies macular pigment (MP), a dietary pigment found at the back of the eye. Macular pigment is made of the dietary carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin and given its blue light filtering and antioxidant properties, is believed to play a role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration and enhance visual performance and comfort.Director Dr John NolanVision Research Centre, WIT West Campus, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/mprg

Madam Curie Laboratory for Membrane ProteinsInvestigating the contact between living cells and the environment.Head of Laboratory Prof John FinlayNui Maynooth, Co Kildare.01 [email protected]

Magnetism and Spin Electronics GroupResearch on all aspects of magnetism and magnetic materialsDepartment of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Marine and Environmental Sensing Technology Hub, MESTECHGrouping including DCU sensor researchers working on marine and environmental sensing.Director Prof Fiona ReganDublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

Marine and Petroleum Geology Research GroupConducting research on role of slope and deep water marine processes in basin hydrocarbon reserve formation.U D School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Marine Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution, MarBEEA group of researchers with broad interests in marine biology UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science Belfield, Dublin 4.

Marine Functional FoodsResearchers from UCC, Teagasc, UL, UL, NUI Galway, Marine Institute collaborating on development of foods based on marine resources.

Marine Institute Catchment Research FacilityFisheries and environmental research station operating as part of the Marine Institute, located in a river catchment area.Furnace, Newport, Co Mayo. 098 42300

Material Processing Research Centre, MPRCThe Materials Processing Research Centre (MPRC) was founded1990 and is comprised of members of staff from the School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering in Dublin City University. The value of collaborative research and pooling of resources in this field was recognised by the researchers involved.School of Mechanical Engineeering Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Material Synthesis and Applications Group, MSADeveloping materials with novel magnetic, electronic and photophysical properties.Dr Mary McNamaraFocas Institute Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 4027900

Materials Characterisation and Processing Group, MCPResearch on characterisation, processing and modeling of polymers and composite materials.Group Leader Dr John O’DwyerWaterford Institute of Technology.051 [email protected]/mcp

Materials Research GroupResearch on characterisation, processing and modelling of polymers and composite materials. Research includes bulk metallic glasses and composites, magnetially targeted nanoparticles, polymers and composites, smart materials and structural health monitoring, metallic foams and porous materials, nanostructured materials, high-performance coatings, X-ray microtomography, microwave processing and remediation, superplastic forming.Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

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Innovation Value InstituteResearch into improved management of IT. The Institute has addressed issues of design, capability, business alignment and risk management for a number of organisations.Academic Director Prof Brian DonnellanNUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Innovative Molecular Materials Group, IMMCharacterisation of reactive intermediates, analysis and development of molecular level processes to modify materials.Director of Research Prof S E BellSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG. 028 90975418

Inorganic Pharma and Biomimetric Research CentreThe centre runs a number of postgraduate and undergraduate research projects on novel material developments. Applications include molecular recognition, biomimetic chemistry and supramolecular chemistry. Prof Mary McNamaraDublin Institute of Technology [email protected]/ipbrc

Inorganic Synthesis with Medical ApplicationsResearch on synthesis of metal complexes with potential for medical applications.Dr Malachy McCannDepartment of Chemistry NUI Maynooth [email protected]

Insect Ecophysiology GroupResearch on insect-plant interactions Dr Tom WilkinsonUCD School of Biology and Environmental Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Institute for Networks and Communications Engineering, RINCEResearch on engineering technologies including image processing, high speed devices and networks.Faculty of Engineering and Computing Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, IAFLUConducting environmental, food safety and nutritional research of local, national and international importanceQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology, ECITResearch groups in key areas of advanced digital and communications technology. Within the Institute there are research clusters on high-frequency electronic circuits, systems-on-chip, digital digital communications, speech and vision systems. Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

Institute of ImmunologySeven research groups operate within the Institute working in such areas as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Researchers collaborate with colleagues around the globe.Biosciences and Engineering Building, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Molecular MedicineConducting research over a broad range of areas including cell signaling, immunology, molecular microbiology and cancer.Director Prof Dermot KelleherTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/IMM

Integrated Aircraft Technologies Research ClusterWithin the cluster there are a number of specific research projects relating to aerospace technolgies. Dr Adrian MurphySchool of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, [email protected]

Intelligent Systems and Controls, ISACResearch is concerned with theoretical and technological advances and their application in intelligent control of engineering and other systems. Prof George IrwinSchool of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, 028 [email protected]

Intelligent Systems Research CentreResearch on mimicing aspects of natural intelligence in computer systems, the development of smarter mobile devices, and working with neuroscientists on hybrid systems.Director Prof Martin McGinnityMS111 University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry BT487JL [email protected]

Internal Combustion Engines Research GroupResearch on engine modelling, after-treatment systems, turbo systems and design. Prof Roy DouglasSchool of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, [email protected]

International Centre for NeurotherapeuticsThe centre undertakes research into the fundamental mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and its control by voltage-activated K+ channels.Research and Engineering Building, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]/icnt

International Energy Research Centre, IERCA collaboration between industry, agencies and research groups working on energy. Hosted by The Tyndall National Institute in Cork. With support of Enterprise Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority, IDA and SFI, the aim is to become a leading centre for collaborative research on integrated energy systems.Mark [email protected]

International Research Centre for System-on-Chip and Advanced Microwireless Integration,SoCaM 2Developing complete electronic systems on single silicon chips.Queen’s University Belfast Belfast BT3 9DT 044 28 [email protected]/SoCaM/

Ion Channel Biotechnology Centre, ICBCMultidisciplinary research on urinary incontinence and osteoarthritis.Dundalk Institute of Technology 042 [email protected]

Irish Centre for Authism and Neurodevelopment Research, ICANEducation, research and delivery of autism support services.Director Geraldine LeaderNUI Galway, Galway. www.nuigalway.ie/ican

Irish Centre for Composite Research, IcompEstablished as one of the Enterprise Ireland/IDA Competence Centres and hosted by the University of Limerick. Icomp works with industry to apply composite research and develop applications.Director Dr Terry McGrailUniversity of Limerick 061 [email protected]/comp

Irish Centre for Environmental Toxicology, ICETMulti-disciplinary environmental toxicology research centre based at GMIT and collaborating with AIT and NUI Gaway. Specialising in the development of new biomarkers for investigating chronic toxicity by novel pollutants, particuarly in mussels and fish.Dr Brian Quinn091 [email protected]

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Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research, ICMRICMR is a consortium of leading Irish manufacturers collaborating to conduct research and innovation. The industry-led research is designed to maintain our partners’ competitive edge. The current focus is on tacit knowledge management, production line simulation/cycle time improvement and measurement inference/part life-cycle prediction. In addressing these areas the ICMR is helping to ensure that Ireland remains the location of choice for advanced manufacturing in Europe.Mark FitzpatrickIR-0, Collinstown Industrial Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUSResearch on climate change and impact assessments on society.NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 7086834

Irish Drug Delivery NetworkNetwork of scientists working on replacement of injections with oral and inhaled drug delivery systems. Researchers from UCD, TCD, RCSI and UCCcollaborate with the support of SFI and industry, University College Dublin 01 [email protected]/iddn

Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster, IMERCAn alliance between University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Naval Service. The cluster was formed in 2011 to foster developments in marine and energy markets. A research base has been established at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.Director Dr Valerie Cummins021 [email protected]

Irish Phytochemical Food Network, IPFNThe Irish Phytochemical Food Network is an alliance of scientists generating knowledge on important plant bioactives (phytochemicals) and their impact on human health. The network looks at theses compounds in a farm to fork approach (all the food chain) from a multidisciplinary point of view gathering the expertise of chemists, biologists, engineers and nutritionists.Dr Juan ValverdeTeagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15. 01 8059500 [email protected]

Irish Separation Science ClusterIrish Separation Science Cluster, ISSCSFI funded Strategic Research Cluster Group composed of researchers involved in the development of next generation materials, technologies and assays for use in the delivery of robust novel methodologies enhancing the delivery of novel drug design, development and commercialisation. Key stakeholders include Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industry as well as original equipment manufacturers delivering solutions into this sector.Centre Secretary Angela Lally01 7008821angela.lally@@dcu.iewww.separationscience.ie

K Camp Research GroupComplex information management.School of Computing, DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Knowledge and Data EngineeringResearch focus is on advancing database systems, artificial intelligence, modelling and software adaptivity.School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Bernard Crossland Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN [email protected]

Laboratory of Molecular Evilution and Mammalian PhylogeneticsResearching evolutionary history of bats and other eutherian mammals, with particular focus on evolution of sensory perception, role of echolocation, conservation and evolution of natural immunity in mammals. Dr Emma TeelingSchool of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

LERO, Irish Software Engineering CentreLero is a software engineering research centre bringing together software engineering teams from universities and institutes in a coordinated centre with a strong industry focus.Director Prof Michael HinchleyUniversity of Limerick, Limerick. 061 233799www.lero.ie

Long Room HubEncouraging interdisciplinary research across spectrum of arts and humanities at TCD with particular interest in applying new technologies to unlock library resources.Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

M ZonesGroup at WIT involving partnerships with CIT and TCD, established with PTRLI support.Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford.

Macular Pigment Research Group, MPRGMPRG studies macular pigment (MP), a dietary pigment found at the back of the eye. Macular pigment is made of the dietary carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin and given its blue light filtering and antioxidant properties, is believed to play a role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration and enhance visual performance and comfort.Director Dr John NolanVision Research Centre, WIT West Campus, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/mprg

Madam Curie Laboratory for Membrane ProteinsInvestigating the contact between living cells and the environment.Head of Laboratory Prof John FinlayNui Maynooth, Co Kildare.01 [email protected]

Magnetism and Spin Electronics GroupResearch on all aspects of magnetism and magnetic materialsDepartment of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Marine and Environmental Sensing Technology Hub, MESTECHGrouping including DCU sensor researchers working on marine and environmental sensing.Director Prof Fiona ReganDublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

Marine and Petroleum Geology Research GroupConducting research on role of slope and deep water marine processes in basin hydrocarbon reserve formation.U D School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Marine Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution, MarBEEA group of researchers with broad interests in marine biology UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science Belfield, Dublin 4.

Marine Functional FoodsResearchers from UCC, Teagasc, UL, UL, NUI Galway, Marine Institute collaborating on development of foods based on marine resources.

Marine Institute Catchment Research FacilityFisheries and environmental research station operating as part of the Marine Institute, located in a river catchment area.Furnace, Newport, Co Mayo. 098 42300

Material Processing Research Centre, MPRCThe Materials Processing Research Centre (MPRC) was founded1990 and is comprised of members of staff from the School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering in Dublin City University. The value of collaborative research and pooling of resources in this field was recognised by the researchers involved.School of Mechanical Engineeering Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Material Synthesis and Applications Group, MSADeveloping materials with novel magnetic, electronic and photophysical properties.Dr Mary McNamaraFocas Institute Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 4027900

Materials Characterisation and Processing Group, MCPResearch on characterisation, processing and modeling of polymers and composite materials.Group Leader Dr John O’DwyerWaterford Institute of Technology.051 [email protected]/mcp

Materials Research GroupResearch on characterisation, processing and modelling of polymers and composite materials. Research includes bulk metallic glasses and composites, magnetially targeted nanoparticles, polymers and composites, smart materials and structural health monitoring, metallic foams and porous materials, nanostructured materials, high-performance coatings, X-ray microtomography, microwave processing and remediation, superplastic forming.Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

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Materials Research Institute, MRIConducting interdisciplinary research on material science and technology and providing contract and testing services to industry.Director Dr Chement HigginbothamAthlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 090 [email protected]/mri

Materials Surface Science Institute, MSSIInterdisciplinary group based at UL working on surface science and materials. The group involves partnerships with WIT, UCC and NUI Galway.University of Limerick 061 [email protected]

Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, MEDICResearch on developing smart medical devices to assist rehabilitation.Cork Institute of Technology [email protected]

Medical Ultrasound Physics and Technology GroupThe group concentrates on the medical ultrasound physics and technology, disease characterisation using ultrasonic techniques and performance testing of medical ultrasound equipment.Dr Jacinta BrowneFocas Institute Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Man’s Health Research GroupInvolved with men’s health research - has developed strong international links with similar centre’s in Australia and the UK. The NCMH has a close working relationship with the HSE and the Department of Health and Children, and has also developed strong partnerships with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, the European Men’s Health Forum, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the National Office for Suicide Prevention.Dr Noel RichardsonInstitute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175343www.itcarlow

Microelectronics and Sensors Systems Research GroupResearch and design of custom integrated circuits. Research includes sensor system development, analogue signal conditioning, mixed signal embedded system design, and board level and IC level mixed signal design.Group Leader Ken DeevyWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/microelectronics

Microelectronics Competence Centre Ireland, MCCIOne of the Competence Centres established by the IDA with Enterprise Ireland to apply research in industry. The MCCI works with a number of industry and universities and is based at Tyndall.Director Mike BarryTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Microsensors for Clinical Research and AnalysisAn applied research centre at the Institute of Technology Tallaght working with industry on microfabrication, synthesis of novel organic compounds, and sample delivery systems.Centre Manager Dr James HayesInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Mitochondrial Biology and Radiation ResearchConducting research on influence of sunlight and electromagnetic radiation on mitochondrial function.Dr James MurphyInstitute of Technology Sligo, Innovation Centre, Rooms G0035 and G0007 071 [email protected]

Molecular Biosciences Research ClusterBroad range of research activities including work on cell processes, parasites, disease control and bioremediation.Head of School Prof C A MaggsQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Molecular Cell LaboratoryThe focus of research is on programmed cell death, apoptosis.Prof Seamus J MartinSmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]/genetics/martin_research.php

Molecular Diagnostics Research Group, MDRGResearch on developing diagnostic tests.NUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Molecular Ecology and Nematode Research Group, MENRGroup based at Carlow Institute of Technology working on bioindicators of pollution.Dr Thomas Kakoili-Dwarte059 9170554

Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics Group, DCUResearch isprimarily focused on understanding mammal evolution and disease from a molecular perspective. Our research involves phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses of protein and genome evolution. Research addresses fundamental questions about mechanisms of evolution and innovation in mammal genomes at both regulatory and protein levels. Principal Investigator Dr Mary O’ConnellSchool of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]://bioinf.dcu.ie

Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics UnitThe group conducts research on the evolution of genomes, gene transfer, dublication and gene loss.Head of Laboratory Dr James McInerney01 [email protected]

Molecular Evolution LabInvestigating the origin and evolution of new genes and gene loss.Dr Aoife McLysaghtSmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Molecular Immunology LaboratoryProf Paul MoynaghSee Institute of Immunology, NUIM

Molecular Medicine Ireland, MMIMolecular Medicine Ireland is a research partnership established by NUI Galway, RCSI, TCD, UCC and UCD and their associated academic hospitals, to accelerate the translation of biomedical research into improved diagnostics and therapies for patients. CEO Dr Ruth BarringtonNewman House, 85a St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 4779823info@molecularmedicineireland.iewww.molecularmedicineireland.ie

Molecular Population Genetics LabResearch includes detection of genetic tracers for disease in cattle, DNA studies on ancient remains. Head Prof Dan BradleySmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer, Ireland, MTCIMolecular Therapeutics for Cancer, Ireland (MTCI) is a Science Foundation Ireland-funded Strategic Research Cluster which aims to discover and develop new anti-cancer drugs.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Molecular Therapeutics Research ClusterA research cluster within the School of Pharmacy. Research focus is on chemical biology, experimental therapeutics, natural drugs, and proteases.Director of Research Dr Chris ScottQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL [email protected]

Moorepark Technology LtdA joint venture company between Teagasc and industry who provide pilot plant facilities to the food and beverage industry worldwide, facilitating technology transfer and scale up to commercial production.Kieran DowneyTeagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork. 025 [email protected]

Nano Systems Biology Research GroupUsing high resolution microscopy to acquite structural and biochemical data from living systems.Prof C Vyvyan HowardBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 7012 [email protected]

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The Forensic Science Laboratory / Eolaíocht Fhóiréinseach Éireann is an agency of the Department of Justice and Equality and forms an integral part of the criminal justice system in Ireland. It was set up in the mid 1970s and now has a scientific staff complement of 86. A total of 57 (66%) have qualifications of Level 9 and/or 10 (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland); this corresponds to Masters (19) and Doctorate (38) level. It has been accredited to ISO 17025 since 2003.

The laboratory has developed through the provision of specialist services, the implementation of new technology and also as a response to changing trends in illegal activities. The profile of work is a mirror of what takes place in society; the evolution includes subversive activities, abuse of traditional and novel drugs, actions of criminal gangs and co-operation with various campaigns implemented by an Garda Síochána.

The internal organisation reflects the trends above and requires a technically skilled and flexible workforce.

The media feeds the populist view of the discipline; high tech units with fast throughput and answers supplied by instrumentation. The reality is different. The high tech unit is useless if evidence is not found, if the appropriate samples are not selected or if the interpretation of the results ignores the circumstances and known information about a particular case. The first step in a case is to assess the likelihood of science progressing the investigation. The first instrument used is the eye of a trained, observant operator, familiar with the background, who has already assessed what, if any, further examinations are required. This cannot be supplanted by instrumentation.

The laboratory workflow incorporates case/sample intake, assessment, examination and analysis, interpretation, report, oral evidence in court. The case type determines the proportion of, for example, assessment, analysis and interpretation. A sample of suspected illegal drug takes minimal assessment, a menu of

analysis and interpretation of the outcome. This outcome is an identified compound, which is either controlled by legislation or not subject to it. On the other hand, armed robbery or sexual assault submissions involve assessment of what examinations are likely to progress the investigation, the completion of these and interpretation of the findings in the context of our knowledge of the incident. This process is one of the aspects that distinguish us from analytical laboratories.

The vast majority of our submissions are from an Garda Síochána, with additional cases from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Customs and Excise officers and the Department of Agriculture. Reports are included in prosecution files for all courts, from District to the Central Criminal (High) Court. As we are sandwiched between two non-scientific disciplines, it is an essential requirement that

staff can communicate scientific findings, along with methodology and interpretation, to lay audiences.

The role of the expert in criminal investigations culminates in the witness box during a trial. The provision of this service is founded on

the basis of an organisation that has earned the trust of the Courts, Prosecution and Defence and which is free from inducement from any quarter. The Forensic Science Laboratory is proud to be a Public Service Agency.

Primarily a working laboratory, research interests centre on areas to aid the interpretation of results. Some projects are undertaken in house; the organisation is always interested in collaboration with relevant institutions. The main areas of interest

are that of transfer and subsequent persistence of biological and non-biological evidence, improved tests for specific body fluids and synthesis of standards for novel drugs.

The laboratory was a founder member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and is prominent in the activities of many of its discipline-based working groups. It is the only non-UK member of the Association of Forensic Science Providers in the UK.

The Forensic Science Laboratory

Technology/Instrumentation:

The instrument used in the initial examination of submissions in serious crimes is often the human eye, trained in observation and leading to inference and action plans for the specific case. The subsequent use of the following technology is case and exhibit dependent.

Microscopy, visible, uv, polarised light Microspectrophotometry, visible and uv Ion Chromatography

TLCSEM-EDXXRFFT-IRGRIM GC with range of detectorsGC-MSLCMSMSDNA extraction/quantitation/amplificationCapillary electrophoresisSTR analysisRobotic liquid handling platformsLIMS (under installation)

Materials Research Institute, MRIConducting interdisciplinary research on material science and technology and providing contract and testing services to industry.Director Dr Chement HigginbothamAthlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 090 [email protected]/mri

Materials Surface Science Institute, MSSIInterdisciplinary group based at UL working on surface science and materials. The group involves partnerships with WIT, UCC and NUI Galway.University of Limerick 061 [email protected]

Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, MEDICResearch on developing smart medical devices to assist rehabilitation.Cork Institute of Technology [email protected]

Medical Ultrasound Physics and Technology GroupThe group concentrates on the medical ultrasound physics and technology, disease characterisation using ultrasonic techniques and performance testing of medical ultrasound equipment.Dr Jacinta BrowneFocas Institute Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Man’s Health Research GroupInvolved with men’s health research - has developed strong international links with similar centre’s in Australia and the UK. The NCMH has a close working relationship with the HSE and the Department of Health and Children, and has also developed strong partnerships with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, the European Men’s Health Forum, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the National Office for Suicide Prevention.Dr Noel RichardsonInstitute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175343www.itcarlow

Microelectronics and Sensors Systems Research GroupResearch and design of custom integrated circuits. Research includes sensor system development, analogue signal conditioning, mixed signal embedded system design, and board level and IC level mixed signal design.Group Leader Ken DeevyWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/microelectronics

Microelectronics Competence Centre Ireland, MCCIOne of the Competence Centres established by the IDA with Enterprise Ireland to apply research in industry. The MCCI works with a number of industry and universities and is based at Tyndall.Director Mike BarryTyndall National Institute, Dyke Parade, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Microsensors for Clinical Research and AnalysisAn applied research centre at the Institute of Technology Tallaght working with industry on microfabrication, synthesis of novel organic compounds, and sample delivery systems.Centre Manager Dr James HayesInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Mitochondrial Biology and Radiation ResearchConducting research on influence of sunlight and electromagnetic radiation on mitochondrial function.Dr James MurphyInstitute of Technology Sligo, Innovation Centre, Rooms G0035 and G0007 071 [email protected]

Molecular Biosciences Research ClusterBroad range of research activities including work on cell processes, parasites, disease control and bioremediation.Head of School Prof C A MaggsQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Molecular Cell LaboratoryThe focus of research is on programmed cell death, apoptosis.Prof Seamus J MartinSmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]/genetics/martin_research.php

Molecular Diagnostics Research Group, MDRGResearch on developing diagnostic tests.NUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Molecular Ecology and Nematode Research Group, MENRGroup based at Carlow Institute of Technology working on bioindicators of pollution.Dr Thomas Kakoili-Dwarte059 9170554

Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics Group, DCUResearch isprimarily focused on understanding mammal evolution and disease from a molecular perspective. Our research involves phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses of protein and genome evolution. Research addresses fundamental questions about mechanisms of evolution and innovation in mammal genomes at both regulatory and protein levels. Principal Investigator Dr Mary O’ConnellSchool of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]://bioinf.dcu.ie

Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics UnitThe group conducts research on the evolution of genomes, gene transfer, dublication and gene loss.Head of Laboratory Dr James McInerney01 [email protected]

Molecular Evolution LabInvestigating the origin and evolution of new genes and gene loss.Dr Aoife McLysaghtSmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Molecular Immunology LaboratoryProf Paul MoynaghSee Institute of Immunology, NUIM

Molecular Medicine Ireland, MMIMolecular Medicine Ireland is a research partnership established by NUI Galway, RCSI, TCD, UCC and UCD and their associated academic hospitals, to accelerate the translation of biomedical research into improved diagnostics and therapies for patients. CEO Dr Ruth BarringtonNewman House, 85a St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 4779823info@molecularmedicineireland.iewww.molecularmedicineireland.ie

Molecular Population Genetics LabResearch includes detection of genetic tracers for disease in cattle, DNA studies on ancient remains. Head Prof Dan BradleySmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer, Ireland, MTCIMolecular Therapeutics for Cancer, Ireland (MTCI) is a Science Foundation Ireland-funded Strategic Research Cluster which aims to discover and develop new anti-cancer drugs.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

Molecular Therapeutics Research ClusterA research cluster within the School of Pharmacy. Research focus is on chemical biology, experimental therapeutics, natural drugs, and proteases.Director of Research Dr Chris ScottQueen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL [email protected]

Moorepark Technology LtdA joint venture company between Teagasc and industry who provide pilot plant facilities to the food and beverage industry worldwide, facilitating technology transfer and scale up to commercial production.Kieran DowneyTeagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork. 025 [email protected]

Nano Systems Biology Research GroupUsing high resolution microscopy to acquite structural and biochemical data from living systems.Prof C Vyvyan HowardBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 7012 [email protected]

RESEARCH

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The Forensic Science Laboratory / Eolaíocht Fhóiréinseach Éireann is an agency of the Department of Justice and Equality and forms an integral part of the criminal justice system in Ireland. It was set up in the mid 1970s and now has a scientific staff complement of 86. A total of 57 (66%) have qualifications of Level 9 and/or 10 (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland); this corresponds to Masters (19) and Doctorate (38) level. It has been accredited to ISO 17025 since 2003.

The laboratory has developed through the provision of specialist services, the implementation of new technology and also as a response to changing trends in illegal activities. The profile of work is a mirror of what takes place in society; the evolution includes subversive activities, abuse of traditional and novel drugs, actions of criminal gangs and co-operation with various campaigns implemented by an Garda Síochána.

The internal organisation reflects the trends above and requires a technically skilled and flexible workforce.

The media feeds the populist view of the discipline; high tech units with fast throughput and answers supplied by instrumentation. The reality is different. The high tech unit is useless if evidence is not found, if the appropriate samples are not selected or if the interpretation of the results ignores the circumstances and known information about a particular case. The first step in a case is to assess the likelihood of science progressing the investigation. The first instrument used is the eye of a trained, observant operator, familiar with the background, who has already assessed what, if any, further examinations are required. This cannot be supplanted by instrumentation.

The laboratory workflow incorporates case/sample intake, assessment, examination and analysis, interpretation, report, oral evidence in court. The case type determines the proportion of, for example, assessment, analysis and interpretation. A sample of suspected illegal drug takes minimal assessment, a menu of

analysis and interpretation of the outcome. This outcome is an identified compound, which is either controlled by legislation or not subject to it. On the other hand, armed robbery or sexual assault submissions involve assessment of what examinations are likely to progress the investigation, the completion of these and interpretation of the findings in the context of our knowledge of the incident. This process is one of the aspects that distinguish us from analytical laboratories.

The vast majority of our submissions are from an Garda Síochána, with additional cases from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Customs and Excise officers and the Department of Agriculture. Reports are included in prosecution files for all courts, from District to the Central Criminal (High) Court. As we are sandwiched between two non-scientific disciplines, it is an essential requirement that

staff can communicate scientific findings, along with methodology and interpretation, to lay audiences.

The role of the expert in criminal investigations culminates in the witness box during a trial. The provision of this service is founded on

the basis of an organisation that has earned the trust of the Courts, Prosecution and Defence and which is free from inducement from any quarter. The Forensic Science Laboratory is proud to be a Public Service Agency.

Primarily a working laboratory, research interests centre on areas to aid the interpretation of results. Some projects are undertaken in house; the organisation is always interested in collaboration with relevant institutions. The main areas of interest

are that of transfer and subsequent persistence of biological and non-biological evidence, improved tests for specific body fluids and synthesis of standards for novel drugs.

The laboratory was a founder member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and is prominent in the activities of many of its discipline-based working groups. It is the only non-UK member of the Association of Forensic Science Providers in the UK.

The Forensic Science Laboratory

Technology/Instrumentation:

The instrument used in the initial examination of submissions in serious crimes is often the human eye, trained in observation and leading to inference and action plans for the specific case. The subsequent use of the following technology is case and exhibit dependent.

Microscopy, visible, uv, polarised light Microspectrophotometry, visible and uv Ion Chromatography

TLCSEM-EDXXRFFT-IRGRIM GC with range of detectorsGC-MSLCMSMSDNA extraction/quantitation/amplificationCapillary electrophoresisSTR analysisRobotic liquid handling platformsLIMS (under installation)

Nano-bio LaboraratoryDeveloping imaging technologies from nano to macro-scale for wide range of applications.University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

NanolabExamining and analysing the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems.Dr Gordon ChambersFocas Research Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology. Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/nanolab

Nanoscience and Neurodegeneration Research GroupInvestigating the neurophysiological and pathophysical processes in the brain. Processes leading to Alzheimer’s Disease and memory are of special interest to the group. Dr Christian HolscherBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Cromore Road, Coleraine, 028 [email protected]

Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio Engineering Research Institute, NIBECInvolved in carbon nanotbe development at University of Ulster. Prof James McLaughlinUniversity of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT370QB, 02890 [email protected]

Nanotechnology Research GroupThe group is working on photovoltaic polymers and techniques to determine nanoscale characterisations of organic thin films. The group is also working on sensors for early detection of diseases. Research interests include organic electronics, novel sensing technologies, novel instruments for the investigation of nanoscale phenomena and materials research.Dr Joe O’ManonyWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/nano

National Adult Nutrition SurveyCollecting detailed food consumption data of the adult population in the Republic of Ireland. Dr Janette WaltonSchool of Food and Nutrition, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]://www.ucc.ie/en/nans/

National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, NBIPNBIP Ireland was established in 2007 under HEA PRTLI Cycle 4. The platform consists of a consortium of imaging and biophotonics laboratories from across the Universities and Institutes of Technology in Ireland and 3 EU partners; CNRS Montpellier (France), the CNR Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, Naples(Italy) and The Nordic Imaging Network.Research Office,121 St Stephen’s Green,Dublin 2.01 [email protected]

National Cancer RegistryThe National Cancer Registry has been collecting comprehensive cancer information for the whole population of the Republic of Ireland since 1994. The information we collect is used in research into the causes of cancer, in education and information programmes6800 Cork Airport Business Park, Cork. 02 [email protected]://www.ncri.ie/ncri/index.shtml


National Centre for Geocomputation, NCGSpecialising in spatial data capture and researching applications in planning, transport, environment and other areas.Iontas Building, North Campus, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

National Centre for Laser ApplicationsResearch centre based in School of Physics with focus on laser materials processing.Director Dr Gerard O’ConnorNUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology, NCPSTNational centre for research into plasma and its applications in different fields including sustainable energy, nanoscience, astrophysics, mathematical and computional modelling and photonics. Director Prof Miles TurnerAdministration, Shiela BoughtonDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

National Centre for Sensor Research, NCSRThe National Centre for Sensor Research is a world renowned, large-scale, multidisciplinary research facility focused on the science and applications of chemical sensors and biosensors. The NCSR’s vision is the promotion of sensor technology for societal and economic benefit, particularly in the areas of environmental monitoring, nanomedicine and fundamental materials scienceDublin City University, Research and Engineering Building, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

National Institute for Cellular BiotechnologyA multidisciplinary centre for research into fundamental and applied molecular cell biology. The main research interests are in cell culture technology including stem cell research, proteomics, gene expression analysis, microRNA profiling and bioinformatics with particular application to cancer, ocular research and diabetes. Through NICB DCU, IT Tallagh and NUI Maynooth collaborate with each other and industry.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected](See half page notice in this section for more details)

National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NIRSAA grouping of researchers working on spatial processes and their effects on social and economic developments. Through the NUIM hub, researchers from Mary Immaculate College Limerick, IT Sligo, and Queen’s University Belfast collaborate.Research Support Offic e John Hume Building, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 7086682

Natural Computing Research and Applications GroupDeveloping computer systems inspired by nature.University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. ncra.ucd.ie/site/ucd_ncra.shtml

Natural Product Research and Development Centre, NPRDCBased at IT Tralee. Developing products from natural materials, such as algae and food waste. Brendan McCarraChemical and Life Sciences Dept., Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 7145616 ext [email protected]

Natural Products Research GroupResearch on discovery and extraction of novel therapeutic agents from natural products.Head of Research Group Dr Helen SheridanSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Neonatal Brain Research GroupThe NBRG, (established 2003 by Prof Geraldine Boylan) specialise in neonatal neurophysiology. Their aim is to improve the long term outcomes of newborns through early and accurate detection of neurological problems. The multidisciplinary group is working on investigating the application of the EEG for diagnosis and prognosis, assessing medications for sick newborns and methods to automatically analyse EEG.Research Manager Mairead MurrayUniverity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]/en/neonatalbrain

Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, NFBBased at NUI Galway. Research and development on biomaterials for wound treatment and repair. The group is a strategic research cluster and works in collaboration with other institutions here and abroad and with industry.Director Prof Abhay PanditNational University of Ireland Galway, IDA Business Park, Dangan, Galway. 091 [email protected]

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Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration Research GroupInvestigating the neurophysiological and pathophysical processes in the brain. Processes leading to Alzheimer’s Disease and memory are of special interest to the group. Dr Christian HolscherBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 [email protected]

Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, NRGResearch on psychiatric disorders, cognitive neuroscience and genetic influences on mental functioning.Dept of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciencnces, St James’ Hospital, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/neuropsychiatric-genetics/index.php

Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, NICHEResearch on diet-related health issues.Dr Maria MulhernCromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 iSA Northern Ireland 02870 [email protected]

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Institute Research Centre, NMRicsConducting research on magnetic resonance and providing facilities to support researchers in adademia and industry.Dr Brian MurrayInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Nursing, Health and Social Care Research UnitInvestigating the application of research results to nursing care.Siobhan ni MhaoirunaighInstitute of Technology Tralee Tralee, Co Kerry.

NutraMaraNutraMara is the Irish Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative. It is an all Ireland research programme, led by the Teagasc and has five collaborating institutes. These are NUI Galway, UCD, UCC, UL and UU. The work program aims to identify novel marine food ingredients and products for uptake by food and beverage manufacturers including Irish SMEs and multinationals.Dr Maria HayesAshtown Food Centre, Dublin 15. 01 [email protected]

Optics Research GroupResearchers from departments of mathematics, computing and physics are engaged with research on optics and photonics. Interests include interferometric techniques for optical characterisation of transparent materials, interrogation of fiber Bragg gratings and other fiber optic components, optical science, discrete device fabrication, characterisation and analysis to te design and testing of novel optic systems.John HoulihanWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. [email protected],ie/org

Oral Health Services Research CentreInterdisciplinary team of researchers working on oral health and conducting clinical trials.University Dental School, Wilton, Cork. 021 4901210 [email protected]

Palaeobiology Research GroupResearch focus is on fossilised remains of decay-prone fauns from deep marine environments.UCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Palaeoclimate Research GroupCombining peleology, geochemistry, climate dynamics, geomicrobiology and other disciplines in elucidating past climates.UCD School of Geological Science Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Perinatal IrelandPerinatal Ireland is a multi-centre, all-Ireland research consortium focusing on carrying out research into women’s and children’s health. The consortium, funded through the Health Research Board (HRB) and links 8 maternity hospitals across the island of Ireland, harnessing the expertise of Ireland’s leading maternal fetal medicine specialists.RCSI Unit, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 101 878 6070 [email protected] www.perinatalireland.ie

Pharmaceutical and Molecular Research Centre, PMBRCResearch themes are novel polymeric drug delivery technologies, pre-formulation and materials characterisation, novel processes and sensor technologies, molecular biotechnology, chromatography and separation science, nanotechnology and biomedical R&D.Centre Manager Dr Niall O’Reilly051 [email protected]://pmbrc.org

Pharmaceutical Research CentreWorking on discoveries and insights on medication and health to improve the quality of life.Carsten EhrhardtTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Pharmaceutical Sciences and PracticeA research cluster within the School of Pharmacy. Research is focused on bioactive materials, advanced drug delivery systems, clinical pharmacy and applied clinical microbiology.Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Photonic System GroupResearch on photonic systems in collaboration with Dept of Physics at UCC, other institutions and industry.Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Dyke Parade Cork. 021 [email protected]

Photonics Device Dynamic GroupWith links between Cork Institute of Technology and the Tyndall National Institute, current research is concerned with quantum dots, optical feedback and semiconductor devices.Group Leader Guillaume HuyetTyndall National Institute Lee Maltings. Cork 021 4904851

Photonics Research Centre, PRCUndertaking research in photonics with particular emphasis on optical sensing.Prof Gerald FarrellDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]

Photonics GroupGroup working on the generation and application of light.School of Physics Trinity College Dublin,Dublin 2. Prof J DoneganSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/physics

Physics Research Education Group, PERGDeveloping appropriate teaching methods to enhance student learning in physics.Dr Brian BoweFocas Institute,Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 4023616

Polymer Processing Research Centre, PPRCConducting research and development on polymers and processes. The centre also conducts research for industry.Director Dr Tony McNallyQueen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT95AH 028 90974700

Power Electronics Research Centre, PERCConducting research on automotive electronics, sensor technology, battery management and power harvesting in collaboration with industry.Centre Director Prof W G HurleyElectrical and Electronic Engineering , NUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Precision, Strategic Research ClusterFostering interaction between academic and industry partners on developing applications using plasmas. One of the SFI funded Strategic Research Clusters.Patricia JamesResearch and Engineering Building Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 7007635patricia.jamesdcu.ie

Programme for Human Genomics, PHGGroup involving partnership with RCSI, TCD, UCD working on human genomics.Molecular Medicine Ireland Newman House 86 St Stephen’s Green Dublin 2. 01 4779 [email protected]

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Nano-bio LaboraratoryDeveloping imaging technologies from nano to macro-scale for wide range of applications.University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

NanolabExamining and analysing the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems.Dr Gordon ChambersFocas Research Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology. Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/nanolab

Nanoscience and Neurodegeneration Research GroupInvestigating the neurophysiological and pathophysical processes in the brain. Processes leading to Alzheimer’s Disease and memory are of special interest to the group. Dr Christian HolscherBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Cromore Road, Coleraine, 028 [email protected]

Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio Engineering Research Institute, NIBECInvolved in carbon nanotbe development at University of Ulster. Prof James McLaughlinUniversity of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT370QB, 02890 [email protected]

Nanotechnology Research GroupThe group is working on photovoltaic polymers and techniques to determine nanoscale characterisations of organic thin films. The group is also working on sensors for early detection of diseases. Research interests include organic electronics, novel sensing technologies, novel instruments for the investigation of nanoscale phenomena and materials research.Dr Joe O’ManonyWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]/nano

National Adult Nutrition SurveyCollecting detailed food consumption data of the adult population in the Republic of Ireland. Dr Janette WaltonSchool of Food and Nutrition, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]://www.ucc.ie/en/nans/

National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, NBIPNBIP Ireland was established in 2007 under HEA PRTLI Cycle 4. The platform consists of a consortium of imaging and biophotonics laboratories from across the Universities and Institutes of Technology in Ireland and 3 EU partners; CNRS Montpellier (France), the CNR Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, Naples(Italy) and The Nordic Imaging Network.Research Office,121 St Stephen’s Green,Dublin 2.01 [email protected]

National Cancer RegistryThe National Cancer Registry has been collecting comprehensive cancer information for the whole population of the Republic of Ireland since 1994. The information we collect is used in research into the causes of cancer, in education and information programmes6800 Cork Airport Business Park, Cork. 02 [email protected]://www.ncri.ie/ncri/index.shtml


National Centre for Geocomputation, NCGSpecialising in spatial data capture and researching applications in planning, transport, environment and other areas.Iontas Building, North Campus, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

National Centre for Laser ApplicationsResearch centre based in School of Physics with focus on laser materials processing.Director Dr Gerard O’ConnorNUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology, NCPSTNational centre for research into plasma and its applications in different fields including sustainable energy, nanoscience, astrophysics, mathematical and computional modelling and photonics. Director Prof Miles TurnerAdministration, Shiela BoughtonDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

National Centre for Sensor Research, NCSRThe National Centre for Sensor Research is a world renowned, large-scale, multidisciplinary research facility focused on the science and applications of chemical sensors and biosensors. The NCSR’s vision is the promotion of sensor technology for societal and economic benefit, particularly in the areas of environmental monitoring, nanomedicine and fundamental materials scienceDublin City University, Research and Engineering Building, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

National Institute for Cellular BiotechnologyA multidisciplinary centre for research into fundamental and applied molecular cell biology. The main research interests are in cell culture technology including stem cell research, proteomics, gene expression analysis, microRNA profiling and bioinformatics with particular application to cancer, ocular research and diabetes. Through NICB DCU, IT Tallagh and NUI Maynooth collaborate with each other and industry.Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected](See half page notice in this section for more details)

National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NIRSAA grouping of researchers working on spatial processes and their effects on social and economic developments. Through the NUIM hub, researchers from Mary Immaculate College Limerick, IT Sligo, and Queen’s University Belfast collaborate.Research Support Offic e John Hume Building, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 7086682

Natural Computing Research and Applications GroupDeveloping computer systems inspired by nature.University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. ncra.ucd.ie/site/ucd_ncra.shtml

Natural Product Research and Development Centre, NPRDCBased at IT Tralee. Developing products from natural materials, such as algae and food waste. Brendan McCarraChemical and Life Sciences Dept., Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 7145616 ext [email protected]

Natural Products Research GroupResearch on discovery and extraction of novel therapeutic agents from natural products.Head of Research Group Dr Helen SheridanSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Neonatal Brain Research GroupThe NBRG, (established 2003 by Prof Geraldine Boylan) specialise in neonatal neurophysiology. Their aim is to improve the long term outcomes of newborns through early and accurate detection of neurological problems. The multidisciplinary group is working on investigating the application of the EEG for diagnosis and prognosis, assessing medications for sick newborns and methods to automatically analyse EEG.Research Manager Mairead MurrayUniverity College Cork, Cork. 021 [email protected]/en/neonatalbrain

Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, NFBBased at NUI Galway. Research and development on biomaterials for wound treatment and repair. The group is a strategic research cluster and works in collaboration with other institutions here and abroad and with industry.Director Prof Abhay PanditNational University of Ireland Galway, IDA Business Park, Dangan, Galway. 091 [email protected]

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Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration Research GroupInvestigating the neurophysiological and pathophysical processes in the brain. Processes leading to Alzheimer’s Disease and memory are of special interest to the group. Dr Christian HolscherBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 [email protected]

Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, NRGResearch on psychiatric disorders, cognitive neuroscience and genetic influences on mental functioning.Dept of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciencnces, St James’ Hospital, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/neuropsychiatric-genetics/index.php

Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, NICHEResearch on diet-related health issues.Dr Maria MulhernCromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 iSA Northern Ireland 02870 [email protected]

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Institute Research Centre, NMRicsConducting research on magnetic resonance and providing facilities to support researchers in adademia and industry.Dr Brian MurrayInstitute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Nursing, Health and Social Care Research UnitInvestigating the application of research results to nursing care.Siobhan ni MhaoirunaighInstitute of Technology Tralee Tralee, Co Kerry.

NutraMaraNutraMara is the Irish Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative. It is an all Ireland research programme, led by the Teagasc and has five collaborating institutes. These are NUI Galway, UCD, UCC, UL and UU. The work program aims to identify novel marine food ingredients and products for uptake by food and beverage manufacturers including Irish SMEs and multinationals.Dr Maria HayesAshtown Food Centre, Dublin 15. 01 [email protected]

Optics Research GroupResearchers from departments of mathematics, computing and physics are engaged with research on optics and photonics. Interests include interferometric techniques for optical characterisation of transparent materials, interrogation of fiber Bragg gratings and other fiber optic components, optical science, discrete device fabrication, characterisation and analysis to te design and testing of novel optic systems.John HoulihanWaterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. [email protected],ie/org

Oral Health Services Research CentreInterdisciplinary team of researchers working on oral health and conducting clinical trials.University Dental School, Wilton, Cork. 021 4901210 [email protected]

Palaeobiology Research GroupResearch focus is on fossilised remains of decay-prone fauns from deep marine environments.UCD School of Geological Sciences Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Palaeoclimate Research GroupCombining peleology, geochemistry, climate dynamics, geomicrobiology and other disciplines in elucidating past climates.UCD School of Geological Science Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Perinatal IrelandPerinatal Ireland is a multi-centre, all-Ireland research consortium focusing on carrying out research into women’s and children’s health. The consortium, funded through the Health Research Board (HRB) and links 8 maternity hospitals across the island of Ireland, harnessing the expertise of Ireland’s leading maternal fetal medicine specialists.RCSI Unit, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 101 878 6070 [email protected] www.perinatalireland.ie

Pharmaceutical and Molecular Research Centre, PMBRCResearch themes are novel polymeric drug delivery technologies, pre-formulation and materials characterisation, novel processes and sensor technologies, molecular biotechnology, chromatography and separation science, nanotechnology and biomedical R&D.Centre Manager Dr Niall O’Reilly051 [email protected]://pmbrc.org

Pharmaceutical Research CentreWorking on discoveries and insights on medication and health to improve the quality of life.Carsten EhrhardtTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Pharmaceutical Sciences and PracticeA research cluster within the School of Pharmacy. Research is focused on bioactive materials, advanced drug delivery systems, clinical pharmacy and applied clinical microbiology.Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL 028 [email protected]

Photonic System GroupResearch on photonic systems in collaboration with Dept of Physics at UCC, other institutions and industry.Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Dyke Parade Cork. 021 [email protected]

Photonics Device Dynamic GroupWith links between Cork Institute of Technology and the Tyndall National Institute, current research is concerned with quantum dots, optical feedback and semiconductor devices.Group Leader Guillaume HuyetTyndall National Institute Lee Maltings. Cork 021 4904851

Photonics Research Centre, PRCUndertaking research in photonics with particular emphasis on optical sensing.Prof Gerald FarrellDublin Institute of Technology 01 [email protected]

Photonics GroupGroup working on the generation and application of light.School of Physics Trinity College Dublin,Dublin 2. Prof J DoneganSchool of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/physics

Physics Research Education Group, PERGDeveloping appropriate teaching methods to enhance student learning in physics.Dr Brian BoweFocas Institute,Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8. 01 4023616

Polymer Processing Research Centre, PPRCConducting research and development on polymers and processes. The centre also conducts research for industry.Director Dr Tony McNallyQueen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT95AH 028 90974700

Power Electronics Research Centre, PERCConducting research on automotive electronics, sensor technology, battery management and power harvesting in collaboration with industry.Centre Director Prof W G HurleyElectrical and Electronic Engineering , NUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Precision, Strategic Research ClusterFostering interaction between academic and industry partners on developing applications using plasmas. One of the SFI funded Strategic Research Clusters.Patricia JamesResearch and Engineering Building Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 7007635patricia.jamesdcu.ie

Programme for Human Genomics, PHGGroup involving partnership with RCSI, TCD, UCD working on human genomics.Molecular Medicine Ireland Newman House 86 St Stephen’s Green Dublin 2. 01 4779 [email protected]

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Prostrate Cancer InstituteNUI Galway. Director, Prof Frank Sullivan, Consultant Radiation Oncologist. Developing treatments for prostrate cancer. Collaboration with National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences at NUI Galway and Galway University Hospital. The Institute was established in 2011.NCBES, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]

Psychological Epidemiology and Mental HealthConducts research in the areas of psychological measurement, diagnosis and prevalence of mental health problems in the population. Prof Gary AdadsonProf Mark ShevlinPsychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Co Londonderry, BT487JL 028 70124418

Psychology Research InstituteConducting research in four areas, behavioural neuroscience, peace and conflict, health psychology, and measurement and statistical modelling.Director Psychology Research Prof Maurice StringerUniversity of Ulster. 028 7012 [email protected]/psyri

Pure Mathematics Research CentreResearch interests of the group members include functional analysis, Banach Lattices, and Infinite Dimensional Analysis.Director Dr I G TodorovQueen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN Northern Ireland [email protected]

Quaternary Environmental Change Research GroupStudy of the geological record during the past 11,500 years of the Quaternary Era.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratory, QUILLA centre of expertise collaborating with industry in research on ionic chemistry.Director Prof Jim SwindallDavid Keir Building. Queen’s University Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast bT9 5AG028 [email protected]://quill.qub.ac.uk/

QuercusConducting ecological research and promoting collaboration between academia and government.School of Biological Sciences Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast. BT9 7BL Northern Ireland 028 [email protected]

Questor CentreResearch on water and wastewater treatment, modeling, dispersion and remediation.David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfat, BT95AG, Northern Ireland. [email protected]://questor.qub.ac.uk/webpages/qcindex.html

Radiation and Environmental Science CentreThe group specialises in radiobiology and environmental toxicology. Developing novel in vitro cultures from human, fish and invertebrates of ecological importance, for employment in radiation and ecotoxicological studies.

Dr Fiona LyngDublin Institute of Technology, 01 [email protected]/resc

Regenerative Medicine Institute, REMEDIThe focus is on promoting organ and tissue repair. REMEDI has a programme of research on fundamental cell biology and is investigating the application of stem cells. Research is being conducted in partnership with industry partners to commercialise results.Director Prof Timothy O’Brien National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences NUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Rehabilitative Science Research GroupInvolved with the critical evaluation of therapeutic practices and procedures employed by therapists in clinical practice, but also other areas such as strength and conditioning, exercise rehabilitation, gait analysis and sports rehabilitation. The aim of the group is to develop innovative and multi-disciplinary research and rehabilitative programs and to develop partnerships with other key stakeholders and clinicians in the area of rehabilitative science.Jennifer WallaceInstitute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175343www.itcarlow.ie

Reproductive Biology ClusterThe Reproductive Biology Research Cluster is a research initiative focused on investigating solutions to reproductive problems in cattle. The Cluster was formed in 2007 with major funding from Science Foundation Ireland, University

College Dublin and Teagasc.Project Manager Dr Niamh McLoughlin EvansRoom 255 Veterinary Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, 01 [email protected]

RINCE InstiturteResearch focus on innovation in engineering. The Institute, based at the Faculty of Engineering, has three research centres, Image Processing and Analysis, High Speed Devices and Systems, and Network Innovation Centre. Research Officer Ger LardnerDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 7005604ger.lardner.dcu.iewww.rince.ie

Rosemount Environmental Research CentreEstablished in 2011 and based at UCD to combine plant biology, horticuloture, environmental and other disciplines. The centre has an extensive collection of apple varieties.University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4.

Ryan InstituteExtensive facilities supporting research, development and promotion of marine resources. The Institute’s is spread over two main buildings on the NUI Galway campus – the Orbsen Building and the Martin Ryan Building – and four off-campus facilities – the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station, the Carna Aquaculture Research Facility, the Carron Field Research Station, and Finavarra Field Research Station.NUI Galway, Orbsen Building, Galway. 091 [email protected]://mri.nuigalway.ie/mri.html

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ERSThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine operates threecompetitive research funding programmes:

1) Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM)- Food research

2) Research Stimulus Fund(RSF)- Agri production research

3) Programme of Competitive Forest Research for Development (CoFoRD) –Forest based research

The three programmes are targeted at public Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and have theoverall objective of building expertise and capability to underpin the development of the agri-food &forest sector.

For further information on our funding programmes, please visit www.agriculture.gov.ie/research oremail [email protected]


Semiconductors and Nanotechnology, NISRCResearch and develop,ent of silicon technology, thin film technology and device structures. The centre has a complete silicon processing suite.School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Bernard Crossland Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN

Sensor Technology for Neurochemical ApplicationsResearch on functioning of neurochemicals in the brain. Working with other scientists through the NeuroAnalytical Chemistry Laboratories, NACL.Prof John LowryDepartment of Chemistry, NUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Separation Science Research GroupThe main area of research is in the use of chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques to facilitate the separation, purification and analysis of complex mixtures of both chemical and biological compounds.Dr Peter McLoughlinWaterford Institute of Technology, 051 [email protected]

Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre — LimerickDeveloping new processes and products from bio-resources. Researchers work in collaboration with industry. Shannon ABC is one of the Applied Enhancement Centres established by Enterprise Ireland. Operating from two locations, Limerick and Tralee, Co Kerry.Dr Patrick MurrayEnterprise Acceleration Centre, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park. 061 448545

Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre — TraleeDeveloping new processes and products from bio-resources. Researchers work in collaboration with industry. Shannon ABC is one of the Applied Enhancement Centres established by Enterprise Ireland.Dr Shane O’ConnellSouth Campus, Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Smart Ambient Assisted Living, SAALA multi-disciplinary group of medical professionals, engineers and other specialists developing unobtrusive support for the elderly or disabled. Involves collaboration between NUI Galway, Georgia Tech Ireland, and University of Limerick.

Smart Cities and InfrastructureResearchers from different disciplines address issues and challenges facing cities and townsDirector Prof Chris BeanUCD Earth Science Institute, Belfield Dublin 4 01 [email protected]

Smart Environments Research Group, SERGGroup Leader Prof Chris NugentSchool of Computing and Mathematics, University of Ulster, Shote Road, Newtonabbey, 02890368330

Smart Ocean IrelandA multi-disciplinary industry orientated group engaged in applying ICT in a marine environment. Activities include environmental monitoring, offshore operations, transport and aquaculture.Lisa FahyMarine Institute Oranmore, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Software Research Institute, SRIDeveloping software engineering capability and working with start-ups and SMEs on innovation.Brian LeeAthlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 090 [email protected]

Soil Society of IrelandRepresenting scientists who work in the field of plant pathology in Ireland at home and abroad.UCD School of Biosystems Engineering, Univdersity College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/sssi/Home.html

Solar Energy Conversion, SECResearchers from UCD, UL, DCU collaborating with industry partners in developing solar power and synthetic photosynthesis applications.UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering, , University College Dublin. Belfield, 01 [email protected]

Solid State Pharmaceutical ClusterUniversity of Limerick. Started in 2007. PI is Kieran Hodnett from UL Material and Surface Science Institute. Involved in collaboration with TCD, UCD, UCC, NUIG and nine pharmaceutical companies. Each of the collaborators concentrates on different aspects.University of Limerick, Limerick. 061 [email protected]/sspc

Sonic Arts Research Centre, SARC Combining music, electronics and computer science and equipped with a 3D studio.Queen’s University Belfast. Belfast BT7 1NN

South Eastern Applied Materials, SEAMConcerned predominantly with medical devices and precision engineering. Currently involved in the following areas, development of novel implants for interpositional arthoplasty of knee, finite element analuysis of components and systems, development of technology for prolonged release of drugs, microwave processing of polymeric materials, residual stress analysis of PVD coated cutting tools, developing a sensor system for real-time in-situ monitoring pf tool wear in precision engineering. Dr Ramesh Raghavendra.Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, SESRIResearch of physical activity and health, sports sciences and social sciences of sport. Prof Eric WallaceUniversity of Ulster Jordinstown Campus. Shore Road, Newtownabbey, [email protected]/sesri

Stokes Research InstituteA multidisciplinary, multinational group of scientists and engineers working in close collaboration with industries, hospitals and government organisations. The core research activities at the SRI are conducted in the field of micro-scale mechanical engineering.Director Dr Jeff PunchEngineering Research Building, University of Limerick. Limerick. 061 [email protected]

Strategic Research ClustersSFI run programme in which there are centres for focused research working in partnerships with companies. More than 40 companies work with these centres, among which are the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster in Limerick, the Network of Excellence in Functional Biomaterials, the Glycoscienc e Research Cluster at NUIG, the Irish Drug Delivery Network at UCD, BioNanointeract Cluster at UCD.www.sfi.ie

Strategic Research in Advanced Geotechnologies, StratAGDrawing on geotechnology researchers from NUIM, UCD and DIT. The focus is on application of geospatial data. The group works in partnership with agencies and industry in developing visualisation and modelling tools.Iontas Building, NUIM, Maynooth, Co Kildare.01 7086972Email: [email protected]

Surface Engineering GroupInvestingating the use of plasma deposition on polymers, metals and ceramics.Denis DowlingUniversity College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/surfaces

Synthesis and Bioorganic Chemistry, SynBIOCResearch on synthesis of pharmacologically active products and medicinal chemistry.Director of Research Prof K J HaleSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG.

System-on-Chip, SoCResearch focus is on developing novel approaches to system on chip design, programming and applications.Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

Systems Biology IrelandEstablished in 2009 as a centre of excellence bringing scientists, engineers and industry together on systems biology research. SBI is an initiative between UCD and NUI Galway, and is one of the SCI funded (CSET) Centres.Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/sbi

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Prostrate Cancer InstituteNUI Galway. Director, Prof Frank Sullivan, Consultant Radiation Oncologist. Developing treatments for prostrate cancer. Collaboration with National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences at NUI Galway and Galway University Hospital. The Institute was established in 2011.NCBES, NUI Galway. 091 [email protected]

Psychological Epidemiology and Mental HealthConducts research in the areas of psychological measurement, diagnosis and prevalence of mental health problems in the population. Prof Gary AdadsonProf Mark ShevlinPsychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Co Londonderry, BT487JL 028 70124418

Psychology Research InstituteConducting research in four areas, behavioural neuroscience, peace and conflict, health psychology, and measurement and statistical modelling.Director Psychology Research Prof Maurice StringerUniversity of Ulster. 028 7012 [email protected]/psyri

Pure Mathematics Research CentreResearch interests of the group members include functional analysis, Banach Lattices, and Infinite Dimensional Analysis.Director Dr I G TodorovQueen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN Northern Ireland [email protected]

Quaternary Environmental Change Research GroupStudy of the geological record during the past 11,500 years of the Quaternary Era.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 02870124242

Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratory, QUILLA centre of expertise collaborating with industry in research on ionic chemistry.Director Prof Jim SwindallDavid Keir Building. Queen’s University Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast bT9 5AG028 [email protected]://quill.qub.ac.uk/

QuercusConducting ecological research and promoting collaboration between academia and government.School of Biological Sciences Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast. BT9 7BL Northern Ireland 028 [email protected]

Questor CentreResearch on water and wastewater treatment, modeling, dispersion and remediation.David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfat, BT95AG, Northern Ireland. [email protected]://questor.qub.ac.uk/webpages/qcindex.html

Radiation and Environmental Science CentreThe group specialises in radiobiology and environmental toxicology. Developing novel in vitro cultures from human, fish and invertebrates of ecological importance, for employment in radiation and ecotoxicological studies.

Dr Fiona LyngDublin Institute of Technology, 01 [email protected]/resc

Regenerative Medicine Institute, REMEDIThe focus is on promoting organ and tissue repair. REMEDI has a programme of research on fundamental cell biology and is investigating the application of stem cells. Research is being conducted in partnership with industry partners to commercialise results.Director Prof Timothy O’Brien National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences NUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Rehabilitative Science Research GroupInvolved with the critical evaluation of therapeutic practices and procedures employed by therapists in clinical practice, but also other areas such as strength and conditioning, exercise rehabilitation, gait analysis and sports rehabilitation. The aim of the group is to develop innovative and multi-disciplinary research and rehabilitative programs and to develop partnerships with other key stakeholders and clinicians in the area of rehabilitative science.Jennifer WallaceInstitute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.059 9175343www.itcarlow.ie

Reproductive Biology ClusterThe Reproductive Biology Research Cluster is a research initiative focused on investigating solutions to reproductive problems in cattle. The Cluster was formed in 2007 with major funding from Science Foundation Ireland, University

College Dublin and Teagasc.Project Manager Dr Niamh McLoughlin EvansRoom 255 Veterinary Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, 01 [email protected]

RINCE InstiturteResearch focus on innovation in engineering. The Institute, based at the Faculty of Engineering, has three research centres, Image Processing and Analysis, High Speed Devices and Systems, and Network Innovation Centre. Research Officer Ger LardnerDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 7005604ger.lardner.dcu.iewww.rince.ie

Rosemount Environmental Research CentreEstablished in 2011 and based at UCD to combine plant biology, horticuloture, environmental and other disciplines. The centre has an extensive collection of apple varieties.University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4.

Ryan InstituteExtensive facilities supporting research, development and promotion of marine resources. The Institute’s is spread over two main buildings on the NUI Galway campus – the Orbsen Building and the Martin Ryan Building – and four off-campus facilities – the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station, the Carna Aquaculture Research Facility, the Carron Field Research Station, and Finavarra Field Research Station.NUI Galway, Orbsen Building, Galway. 091 [email protected]://mri.nuigalway.ie/mri.html

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ERS

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine operates threecompetitive research funding programmes:

1) Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM)- Food research

2) Research Stimulus Fund(RSF)- Agri production research

3) Programme of Competitive Forest Research for Development (CoFoRD) –Forest based research

The three programmes are targeted at public Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and have theoverall objective of building expertise and capability to underpin the development of the agri-food &forest sector.

For further information on our funding programmes, please visit www.agriculture.gov.ie/research oremail [email protected]


Semiconductors and Nanotechnology, NISRCResearch and develop,ent of silicon technology, thin film technology and device structures. The centre has a complete silicon processing suite.School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Bernard Crossland Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN

Sensor Technology for Neurochemical ApplicationsResearch on functioning of neurochemicals in the brain. Working with other scientists through the NeuroAnalytical Chemistry Laboratories, NACL.Prof John LowryDepartment of Chemistry, NUI Maynooth 01 [email protected]

Separation Science Research GroupThe main area of research is in the use of chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques to facilitate the separation, purification and analysis of complex mixtures of both chemical and biological compounds.Dr Peter McLoughlinWaterford Institute of Technology, 051 [email protected]

Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre — LimerickDeveloping new processes and products from bio-resources. Researchers work in collaboration with industry. Shannon ABC is one of the Applied Enhancement Centres established by Enterprise Ireland. Operating from two locations, Limerick and Tralee, Co Kerry.Dr Patrick MurrayEnterprise Acceleration Centre, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park. 061 448545

Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre — TraleeDeveloping new processes and products from bio-resources. Researchers work in collaboration with industry. Shannon ABC is one of the Applied Enhancement Centres established by Enterprise Ireland.Dr Shane O’ConnellSouth Campus, Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Smart Ambient Assisted Living, SAALA multi-disciplinary group of medical professionals, engineers and other specialists developing unobtrusive support for the elderly or disabled. Involves collaboration between NUI Galway, Georgia Tech Ireland, and University of Limerick.

Smart Cities and InfrastructureResearchers from different disciplines address issues and challenges facing cities and townsDirector Prof Chris BeanUCD Earth Science Institute, Belfield Dublin 4 01 [email protected]

Smart Environments Research Group, SERGGroup Leader Prof Chris NugentSchool of Computing and Mathematics, University of Ulster, Shote Road, Newtonabbey, 02890368330

Smart Ocean IrelandA multi-disciplinary industry orientated group engaged in applying ICT in a marine environment. Activities include environmental monitoring, offshore operations, transport and aquaculture.Lisa FahyMarine Institute Oranmore, Galway. 091 [email protected]

Software Research Institute, SRIDeveloping software engineering capability and working with start-ups and SMEs on innovation.Brian LeeAthlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeth. 090 [email protected]

Soil Society of IrelandRepresenting scientists who work in the field of plant pathology in Ireland at home and abroad.UCD School of Biosystems Engineering, Univdersity College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/sssi/Home.html

Solar Energy Conversion, SECResearchers from UCD, UL, DCU collaborating with industry partners in developing solar power and synthetic photosynthesis applications.UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering, , University College Dublin. Belfield, 01 [email protected]

Solid State Pharmaceutical ClusterUniversity of Limerick. Started in 2007. PI is Kieran Hodnett from UL Material and Surface Science Institute. Involved in collaboration with TCD, UCD, UCC, NUIG and nine pharmaceutical companies. Each of the collaborators concentrates on different aspects.University of Limerick, Limerick. 061 [email protected]/sspc

Sonic Arts Research Centre, SARC Combining music, electronics and computer science and equipped with a 3D studio.Queen’s University Belfast. Belfast BT7 1NN

South Eastern Applied Materials, SEAMConcerned predominantly with medical devices and precision engineering. Currently involved in the following areas, development of novel implants for interpositional arthoplasty of knee, finite element analuysis of components and systems, development of technology for prolonged release of drugs, microwave processing of polymeric materials, residual stress analysis of PVD coated cutting tools, developing a sensor system for real-time in-situ monitoring pf tool wear in precision engineering. Dr Ramesh Raghavendra.Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford. 051 [email protected]

Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, SESRIResearch of physical activity and health, sports sciences and social sciences of sport. Prof Eric WallaceUniversity of Ulster Jordinstown Campus. Shore Road, Newtownabbey, [email protected]/sesri

Stokes Research InstituteA multidisciplinary, multinational group of scientists and engineers working in close collaboration with industries, hospitals and government organisations. The core research activities at the SRI are conducted in the field of micro-scale mechanical engineering.Director Dr Jeff PunchEngineering Research Building, University of Limerick. Limerick. 061 [email protected]

Strategic Research ClustersSFI run programme in which there are centres for focused research working in partnerships with companies. More than 40 companies work with these centres, among which are the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster in Limerick, the Network of Excellence in Functional Biomaterials, the Glycoscienc e Research Cluster at NUIG, the Irish Drug Delivery Network at UCD, BioNanointeract Cluster at UCD.www.sfi.ie

Strategic Research in Advanced Geotechnologies, StratAGDrawing on geotechnology researchers from NUIM, UCD and DIT. The focus is on application of geospatial data. The group works in partnership with agencies and industry in developing visualisation and modelling tools.Iontas Building, NUIM, Maynooth, Co Kildare.01 7086972Email: [email protected]

Surface Engineering GroupInvestingating the use of plasma deposition on polymers, metals and ceramics.Denis DowlingUniversity College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/surfaces

Synthesis and Bioorganic Chemistry, SynBIOCResearch on synthesis of pharmacologically active products and medicinal chemistry.Director of Research Prof K J HaleSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG.

System-on-Chip, SoCResearch focus is on developing novel approaches to system on chip design, programming and applications.Queen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Island, Belfast, BT3 9DT N Ireland 028 9097 [email protected]

Systems Biology IrelandEstablished in 2009 as a centre of excellence bringing scientists, engineers and industry together on systems biology research. SBI is an initiative between UCD and NUI Galway, and is one of the SCI funded (CSET) Centres.Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/sbi

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Teagasc Food Research Centre, AshtownResearch, development and innovation initiatives supporting meat and dairy processing, cereals, and marine food sectors are the core activities.The programme is delivered by four departments: Food Industry Development ([email protected]), Food Safety ([email protected]), Food Biosciences ([email protected]) and Food Chemistry and Technology ([email protected]).Ashtown, Dublin 15.01 8059500www.teagasc.ie

Teagasc Food Research Centre, MooreparkOne of the two food development centres run by Teagasc to support innovation in industry. Teagasc scientists work in collaboration with development agencies in providing technical and scientific support for

the food sector.025 [email protected]

TeaPOTResearch into technology that interacts with humans or with the human body — People Oriented Technology (POT)Dr James CondronFocas Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8.

Technologies for Embedded Computing Centre, TECAssociated with the Nimbus Centre at CIT working on embedded computer systemsCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown Cork 021 [email protected]

Technology CentresEstablished in 2010 as a joint IDA Enterprise Ireland initiative. The nine industry led centres, based in higher education institutes, were given budget of €56m to generate innovative technology.Programme Manager Martin HusseyEnterprise Ireland, The Plaza, Dublin 3. 01 7272571martin.hussey@enterprise-ireland.comwww.enterprise-ireland.com

Telecommunication Software and Systems Group, TSSGThe TSSG’s key research area is autonomic network and service management with a focus on the next generation of networks and services, including the IP-based infrastructure, services, especially mobile services, and the enabling software systems. With over 400 international links, the group has worked with more than 100 Irish companies. The TSSG is regarded as

an internationally significant body, and it has been highly successful in attracting funding from a variety of sources. TSSG secured 40 projects valued at €21.4 million from the EU 7th Framework Programme. Dr William Donnelly051 [email protected]

Telehealth Research GroupEstablished in 2011, the group evolved from the HIRG, taking in new partners and broadening objectives. Recently the group has been engaged in three areas, wellbeing of communities and rural women, online CBT intervention of breast cancer and fatigue, and the National Epilessy Care Programme.Dr John Wells051 [email protected]

RESEARCH

ERS


Terrestrial Ecology Research GroupResearch on how local and regional processes influence biodiversity and ecosystems.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 028 70124242

Transcriptional Regulation and EpigeneticsResearch into classical and non-classical mechanisms of transcriptional control. Dr Colum WalshBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 7032 [email protected]

Trinity Centre for Biodiversity ResearchInterdisciplinary studies on environmental, technical, scientific and economic issues relating to maintaining biodiversity.Director Dr Jane StoutSchool of Natural Sciences Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, TCBECombining knowledge of biomaterial, regenerative medicine, muscoskeletal research, cardiovascular systems and neural engineering in developing medical devices.Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin. 152-160 Pearse Street. Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/bioengineering

Trinity College Institute of Neurosciences, TCINAt TCD, involved with research on impact of drugs on brain function and works in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.Education and Outreach Gillian RoddieTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Trinity Consortium on Ageing, TCACollaboration between research centres, institutes and inviduals on issues relating to ageing. Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Ubiquitous Computing Research Group, UCRGA group drawn from different faculties working on ubiquitous or as it also termed, pervasive, computing.School of Computing Dublin Institute of Technology

UCD Centre for Food SafetyResearch on presence on pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and other projects relating to food safety. Researchers at UCD collaborate with food safety authorities in Ireland and abroad.School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, Veterinary Science Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

UCD Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, CASLUsing mathematics and computation to extracting value from data.UCD CASL 8 Belfield Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical ResearchUCD Conway Institute brings together over 550 research staff from all over the University and its associated teaching hospitals. The Institute community of biomedical researchers is engaged in exploring cell and systems biology to discover new ways to treat a range of human diseases.Communications Elaine QuinnUniversity College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/conway

UCD Institute of Food and HealthCombining food science with research on production, nutrition, biosystems and regulations.Institute of Food and Health University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 7162808

Vision Science Research GroupMultidisciplinary research on sight and vision. Research includes clinical studies, cell growth research, cortical processing of vision and mathematical modelling.University of Ulster 028 [email protected]

Wireless Communications and Large Scale Simulation GroupResearch primarily concerned with applied research for innovation in modulation, coding and rtelated embedding processes. Recent innovations in the electronic system-on-chip area, which combined radio frequency capability onto the SOCs are also being exploited, enabling extensive research into wireless sensing and control.Dr Paul O’Leary051 302630www.wit.ie/wirelessevironmentalhealthsciencesinstitute/

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SCIENCE SPIN Issue 52 Page 11

gastronomy when she attended a seminar called “When Chefs Meet Scientists” at a conference in Paris in 2007. It was a light bulb moment she says. Always looking for an interesting way to teach science to culinary students, she was enthused by molecular gastronomy because of its ability to combine science with the culinary arts. “It really opened up my eyes up to the possibilities and I’m trying to find ways to teach science to culinary students that makes sense to them and is of interest to them,” she says. A twelve week molecular gastronomy module was launched in DIT in 2009. It is the first of its kind in Ireland. The module is taught as an option in year four of the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts and on a DIT Springboard programme for people who have lost their jobs and wish to up-skill. A third module is at master’s level and is taught on the MSc in Culinary Innovation and Food Product Development.

Molecular gastronomy is opening up a whole new area for innovation when it comes to the preparation of food and it is creating a range of possibilities for food textures, flavours and colours. “The spin-off from molecular gastronomy is enormous,” says Burke. She is currently overseeing a research project investigating innovative methods to create novel food products using molecular gastronomy. One of the aspects of the project is investigating flavour pairings. White chocolate and cheese is one of the more unusual flavour combinations that are being investigated. “Sometimes you get peaks on GC-MS chromatograms that come out the same in totally different foods that you would not normally put together, which indicates that they have matching flavours. Sometimes it’s the opposite situation and there is no match in the peaks but the flavours still seem to work. There is a whole science in that area,” says Burke.

There may still be a buzz around molecular gastronomy but “Note by Note Cooking” is being touted as the next culinary trend. It involves taking the elements which make up a food and recreating the food using these elements or fusing them with something else to make something new. “You could present a carrot in a gel form or create a mixture of a carrot and a parsnip,” says Burke.And it’s not just the restaurant industry that is using molecular gastronomy for that extra bit of wow factor. The Boston Globe recently named “molecular gastronomy at bars” as number two in it list of the top ten food trends for 2012. Smoked gin and tonic anyone?

Caroline Kidd has a BSc in Microbiology from UCD and she is currently studying for a

Masters in Journalism in DIT.

as a fuel and the development of new technology, it may now be economically viable to extract the gas from the Northwest Carboniferous Basin. Natural gas is composed mainly of methane, CH4. It is a clean-burning fuel and is more environmentally friendly than coal or oil. It can be used both for domestic heating and cooking and for electricity generation. It would be beneficial for Ireland to develop natural gas as an indigenous energy source. Unfortunately, there are technical problems, as this gas will not be easy to extract. Natural gas was formed, millions of years ago, in a marine environment. It arose from the decomposition of the remains of millions of tiny plants and animals that died and sank to the sea bed and became trapped in sediments of clay or sand. In conventional gas fields, natural gas may accumulate in pockets, when it is trapped under a dome shaped layer of impermeable rock. Vertical drilling through the overlying rock will readily release the gas. The Lough Allen Natural Gas Field is an unconventional carboniferous gas basin, formed 350 million years ago. At that time, Ireland was part of a greater land mass, see Science Spin 37, and the Lough Allen field was once contiguous with the Appalachian Basin in the USA, where natural gas is being extracted at present. It consists of tight gas sandstone reservoirs, which are less porous and permeable than in conventional fields, making it difficult to extract the gas. However, in recent years, a new method has been developed to extract natural gas from tight gas and shale gas reservoirs. This method uses horizontal drilling, combined with hydraulic fracturing, colloqually known as ‘fracking’. A vertical bore is first drilled to the required depth, then several horizontal drills are


made. Then liquid is pumped in to force apart the layers of rock strata, making it easier to release the gas. Already, concerns have been expressed about the use of this method of extraction in Ireland and local activists in the Sligo/Leitrim region are opposing the exploration. It is feared that disturbing the geological strata in this way could cause seismic tremors. There are also fears that substances in the fracking fluids could leach into the ground water and cause contamination. There is even a mobile cinema travelling through the region, showing a documentary film, made in America, called ‘Gaslands’, which aims to show the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing. The plot of a recent episode of CSI dealt with the same theme and showed dramatic images of water from a tap apparently catching fire and a huge explosion erupting from a well, because there was so much flammable gas entrained in it. No doubt this makes for good TV and cinema viewing, but it also serves to scare people and make them worried about any attempt to extract natural gas from such unconventional fields. If it turns out that there is a commercially viable gas prospect.in the Northwest of `Ireland, both the companies and the licencing authorities would do well to take time to explain to the public, in precise detail, exactly how it will be extracted. Modern fracking fluids consist mainly of water, but they usually contain certain additives, most of which are substances already in common use and should pose no great risk to the environment. In any case, it is likely that the gas reservoirs would be at a much lower level than the water table and there would be a natural impermeable barrier above the gas field, preventing contamination of ground water. But the public need to be reassured about this.

Additives in use at present in fracking fluids in the USA include the following: potassium chloride to reduce friction, hydrochloric acid to remove drilling mud damage, gluteraldehyde to prevent microorganisms from fouling the fractures and dimethyl formamide (DMF) which is an oxygen scavenger, to prevent corrosion of the pipes. These substances are all in common use. Potassium chloride is a component of argicultural fertilizers, and is present in our own body fluids, hydrochloric acid is produced with the gastric juices in the human stomach, glutaralhedyde is used in the healthcare industry for sterilization and DMF is used in the pharmaceutical industry. However, to reassure the public, Tamboran has recently announced that it will not use any additives in the fracking water, other than sand, which helps to keep the gas-bearing strata apart after the water has seeped away, thus facilitating the escape of the natural gas. Without the usual additives, the extraction of the gas will be more costly, because higher pressures will have to be used. This is a price the company is willing to pay, in order to reassure the public. Whatever decisions are made with regard to developing our natural resorces, they should be based on sound scientific findings, not on uninformed scaremongering. Having said that, there should certainly be a public debate on the issue, because, left to themselves, planning authorities don’t always get it right.

Margaret Franklin is a chemist and former Senior Lecturer at Athlone Institute of

Technology. Margaret is co-author of the book, Colour, what we see and the science

of sight.

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someone with a scientific background will look at the evidence, and they will have a good grasp of what charts and statistics actually mean. On this point, the Mayor said that one part of the City of Science programme that appealed strongly to him is the “Hacking the City” project in which the public will have open access to council data. Hundreds of data sets, he said, are being released, and, to take one example, people will be able to do their own analysis on the water supply, how much is there, and how it changes during the day. As he remarked, “Hacking the City” is a great way to get the public more involved in science. Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, said that following the continued and sustained support for science in Ireland the City of Science event comes at a good time. It is important for people to see the relevance of this support, he said, and to appreciate that there are concrete benefits to the economy from the investment. “Thinking

of my own experience of science at school, it was too corralled, narrowing it down, and what this event is all about is the opposite.” In spite of the challenge of convincing voters that a big investment is justified, Professor Patrick Cunningham remarked that there has been no division in the political will to maintain support for science and research. When the idea of inviting Europe’s biggest science event to Ireland first came up, he said “the tiger was in town, and all the graphs were pointing up.” As we all know, the cut-backs, when they came, were severe, and Prof Cunningham admitted to having some anxious moments that all the ambitious plans would have to be scrapped. However, as the government changed, the City of Science was seen as just the sort of event that would help Ireland recover, and indeed show the world that in many aspects of science and research, Ireland is now second to none. The government, said Prof

Cunningham, is underwriting about half the cost, compared to previous events elsewhere, the European Commission has doubled its support, and industry is also expected to make a significant contribution. All of this, said Prof Cunningham, is very positive, and apart from the Irish perspective, we are hosting Europe’s biggest science conference at a critical time. The current Framework 7 programme, under which research is funded throughout the European Union, is coming to an end, and under Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn, a bigger, and more comprehensive programme, Horizon 2020, will be taking its place starting in 2014. Ireland’s researchers will benefit from this, yet, as Prof Cunningham remarked, just a few years ago, all of this would have seemed impossible. When it came to getting support, Irish scientists were hardly at the starting line, but that has changed. “We are more than pulling out weight now,” said Prof Cunningham.

CITy OF SCIEnCE 2012 follows the European Science Open Forum event in Turin in 2010, and that in turn was two years after ESOF in Barcelona. The ESOF events were initiated by Euroscience, an independent group of scientists who saw the need to highlight the best in European science. In the US there is the well-funded American Association for the Advancement of Science, usually simply known as the AAAS, which acts as a showcase for American science. The members of Euroscience thought that Europe needed to have something similar, so in 2004 the first ESOF conference was launched at Stockholm, and since then it has continued to grow as a biannual event, going on to Munich in 2006, Barcelona in 2008, Turin in 2010, and this year Dublin. At a Euroscience Ireland meeting Prof Cunningham said the number of

proposals for the programme has greatly exceed expectations. Four months, he said, had been spent winnowing these down, and that meant that about three quarters of the submissions had to be turned down, and a number of these would have been worth including. “We are trying to do something about that,” said Prof Cunningham, and one of the questions on many peoples’ minds now, is just how big can the ESOF events get. The success of ESOF has taken many people by surprise, yet it began as a bottom-up initiative by a group of scientists who retain their ultimate control and ownership. The group is independent, but as is often the case, independence can mean having to work within limited budgets. As ESOF seems destined to grow and grow as a major event in promoting European science, Prof Cunningham

remarked that it might be a good idea to look at how it is funded. One of the recent developments that could be relevant, he said, is the recent regrouping of European organisations involved in supporting research. The former European Heads of Research Councils, EUROHORCs, has been reorganised, and rebranded as Science Europe, and the new organisation is made up of 42 research funding bodies, including the Health Research Board and SFI in Ireland. While recognising that there would be issues to be resolved, Prof Cunningham said it is hard to escape the compelling logic — “Science Europe has endless money, billions, while Euroscience just has pennies,” he commented. yet, ultimately, while independence would have to be weighed up against political pressures, both organisations have similar aims.

BIG AND GETTING BIGGER

CITY OF SCIENCE 2012


DUBLIN CITY OF SCIENCE 2012In 2012 Ireland hosts the European open forum on science

www.dublinscience2012.ie


Teagasc Food Research Centre, AshtownResearch, development and innovation initiatives supporting meat and dairy processing, cereals, and marine food sectors are the core activities.The programme is delivered by four departments: Food Industry Development ([email protected]), Food Safety ([email protected]), Food Biosciences ([email protected]) and Food Chemistry and Technology ([email protected]).Ashtown, Dublin 15.01 8059500www.teagasc.ie

Teagasc Food Research Centre, MooreparkOne of the two food development centres run by Teagasc to support innovation in industry. Teagasc scientists work in collaboration with development agencies in providing technical and scientific support for

the food sector.025 [email protected]

TeaPOTResearch into technology that interacts with humans or with the human body — People Oriented Technology (POT)Dr James CondronFocas Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 8.

Technologies for Embedded Computing Centre, TECAssociated with the Nimbus Centre at CIT working on embedded computer systemsCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown Cork 021 [email protected]

Technology CentresEstablished in 2010 as a joint IDA Enterprise Ireland initiative. The nine industry led centres, based in higher education institutes, were given budget of €56m to generate innovative technology.Programme Manager Martin HusseyEnterprise Ireland, The Plaza, Dublin 3. 01 7272571martin.hussey@enterprise-ireland.comwww.enterprise-ireland.com

Telecommunication Software and Systems Group, TSSGThe TSSG’s key research area is autonomic network and service management with a focus on the next generation of networks and services, including the IP-based infrastructure, services, especially mobile services, and the enabling software systems. With over 400 international links, the group has worked with more than 100 Irish companies. The TSSG is regarded as

an internationally significant body, and it has been highly successful in attracting funding from a variety of sources. TSSG secured 40 projects valued at €21.4 million from the EU 7th Framework Programme. Dr William Donnelly051 [email protected]

Telehealth Research GroupEstablished in 2011, the group evolved from the HIRG, taking in new partners and broadening objectives. Recently the group has been engaged in three areas, wellbeing of communities and rural women, online CBT intervention of breast cancer and fatigue, and the National Epilessy Care Programme.Dr John Wells051 [email protected]

RESEARCH

ERS


Terrestrial Ecology Research GroupResearch on how local and regional processes influence biodiversity and ecosystems.Environmental Sciences Research Institute University of Ulster Cromore Road, Coleraine. 028 70124242

Transcriptional Regulation and EpigeneticsResearch into classical and non-classical mechanisms of transcriptional control. Dr Colum WalshBiomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road. 028 7032 [email protected]

Trinity Centre for Biodiversity ResearchInterdisciplinary studies on environmental, technical, scientific and economic issues relating to maintaining biodiversity.Director Dr Jane StoutSchool of Natural Sciences Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, TCBECombining knowledge of biomaterial, regenerative medicine, muscoskeletal research, cardiovascular systems and neural engineering in developing medical devices.Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin. 152-160 Pearse Street. Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/bioengineering

Trinity College Institute of Neurosciences, TCINAt TCD, involved with research on impact of drugs on brain function and works in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.Education and Outreach Gillian RoddieTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Trinity Consortium on Ageing, TCACollaboration between research centres, institutes and inviduals on issues relating to ageing. Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. [email protected]

Ubiquitous Computing Research Group, UCRGA group drawn from different faculties working on ubiquitous or as it also termed, pervasive, computing.School of Computing Dublin Institute of Technology

UCD Centre for Food SafetyResearch on presence on pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and other projects relating to food safety. Researchers at UCD collaborate with food safety authorities in Ireland and abroad.School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, Veterinary Science Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

UCD Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, CASLUsing mathematics and computation to extracting value from data.UCD CASL 8 Belfield Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical ResearchUCD Conway Institute brings together over 550 research staff from all over the University and its associated teaching hospitals. The Institute community of biomedical researchers is engaged in exploring cell and systems biology to discover new ways to treat a range of human diseases.Communications Elaine QuinnUniversity College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/conway

UCD Institute of Food and HealthCombining food science with research on production, nutrition, biosystems and regulations.Institute of Food and Health University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 7162808

Vision Science Research GroupMultidisciplinary research on sight and vision. Research includes clinical studies, cell growth research, cortical processing of vision and mathematical modelling.University of Ulster 028 [email protected]

Wireless Communications and Large Scale Simulation GroupResearch primarily concerned with applied research for innovation in modulation, coding and rtelated embedding processes. Recent innovations in the electronic system-on-chip area, which combined radio frequency capability onto the SOCs are also being exploited, enabling extensive research into wireless sensing and control.Dr Paul O’Leary051 302630www.wit.ie/wirelessevironmentalhealthsciencesinstitute/

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gastronomy when she attended a seminar called “When Chefs Meet Scientists” at a conference in Paris in 2007. It was a light bulb moment she says. Always looking for an interesting way to teach science to culinary students, she was enthused by molecular gastronomy because of its ability to combine science with the culinary arts. “It really opened up my eyes up to the possibilities and I’m trying to find ways to teach science to culinary students that makes sense to them and is of interest to them,” she says. A twelve week molecular gastronomy module was launched in DIT in 2009. It is the first of its kind in Ireland. The module is taught as an option in year four of the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts and on a DIT Springboard programme for people who have lost their jobs and wish to up-skill. A third module is at master’s level and is taught on the MSc in Culinary Innovation and Food Product Development.

Molecular gastronomy is opening up a whole new area for innovation when it comes to the preparation of food and it is creating a range of possibilities for food textures, flavours and colours. “The spin-off from molecular gastronomy is enormous,” says Burke. She is currently overseeing a research project investigating innovative methods to create novel food products using molecular gastronomy. One of the aspects of the project is investigating flavour pairings. White chocolate and cheese is one of the more unusual flavour combinations that are being investigated. “Sometimes you get peaks on GC-MS chromatograms that come out the same in totally different foods that you would not normally put together, which indicates that they have matching flavours. Sometimes it’s the opposite situation and there is no match in the peaks but the flavours still seem to work. There is a whole science in that area,” says Burke.

There may still be a buzz around molecular gastronomy but “Note by Note Cooking” is being touted as the next culinary trend. It involves taking the elements which make up a food and recreating the food using these elements or fusing them with something else to make something new. “You could present a carrot in a gel form or create a mixture of a carrot and a parsnip,” says Burke.And it’s not just the restaurant industry that is using molecular gastronomy for that extra bit of wow factor. The Boston Globe recently named “molecular gastronomy at bars” as number two in it list of the top ten food trends for 2012. Smoked gin and tonic anyone?

Caroline Kidd has a BSc in Microbiology from UCD and she is currently studying for a

Masters in Journalism in DIT.

as a fuel and the development of new technology, it may now be economically viable to extract the gas from the Northwest Carboniferous Basin. Natural gas is composed mainly of methane, CH4. It is a clean-burning fuel and is more environmentally friendly than coal or oil. It can be used both for domestic heating and cooking and for electricity generation. It would be beneficial for Ireland to develop natural gas as an indigenous energy source. Unfortunately, there are technical problems, as this gas will not be easy to extract. Natural gas was formed, millions of years ago, in a marine environment. It arose from the decomposition of the remains of millions of tiny plants and animals that died and sank to the sea bed and became trapped in sediments of clay or sand. In conventional gas fields, natural gas may accumulate in pockets, when it is trapped under a dome shaped layer of impermeable rock. Vertical drilling through the overlying rock will readily release the gas. The Lough Allen Natural Gas Field is an unconventional carboniferous gas basin, formed 350 million years ago. At that time, Ireland was part of a greater land mass, see Science Spin 37, and the Lough Allen field was once contiguous with the Appalachian Basin in the USA, where natural gas is being extracted at present. It consists of tight gas sandstone reservoirs, which are less porous and permeable than in conventional fields, making it difficult to extract the gas. However, in recent years, a new method has been developed to extract natural gas from tight gas and shale gas reservoirs. This method uses horizontal drilling, combined with hydraulic fracturing, colloqually known as ‘fracking’. A vertical bore is first drilled to the required depth, then several horizontal drills are


made. Then liquid is pumped in to force apart the layers of rock strata, making it easier to release the gas. Already, concerns have been expressed about the use of this method of extraction in Ireland and local activists in the Sligo/Leitrim region are opposing the exploration. It is feared that disturbing the geological strata in this way could cause seismic tremors. There are also fears that substances in the fracking fluids could leach into the ground water and cause contamination. There is even a mobile cinema travelling through the region, showing a documentary film, made in America, called ‘Gaslands’, which aims to show the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing. The plot of a recent episode of CSI dealt with the same theme and showed dramatic images of water from a tap apparently catching fire and a huge explosion erupting from a well, because there was so much flammable gas entrained in it. No doubt this makes for good TV and cinema viewing, but it also serves to scare people and make them worried about any attempt to extract natural gas from such unconventional fields. If it turns out that there is a commercially viable gas prospect.in the Northwest of `Ireland, both the companies and the licencing authorities would do well to take time to explain to the public, in precise detail, exactly how it will be extracted. Modern fracking fluids consist mainly of water, but they usually contain certain additives, most of which are substances already in common use and should pose no great risk to the environment. In any case, it is likely that the gas reservoirs would be at a much lower level than the water table and there would be a natural impermeable barrier above the gas field, preventing contamination of ground water. But the public need to be reassured about this.

Additives in use at present in fracking fluids in the USA include the following: potassium chloride to reduce friction, hydrochloric acid to remove drilling mud damage, gluteraldehyde to prevent microorganisms from fouling the fractures and dimethyl formamide (DMF) which is an oxygen scavenger, to prevent corrosion of the pipes. These substances are all in common use. Potassium chloride is a component of argicultural fertilizers, and is present in our own body fluids, hydrochloric acid is produced with the gastric juices in the human stomach, glutaralhedyde is used in the healthcare industry for sterilization and DMF is used in the pharmaceutical industry. However, to reassure the public, Tamboran has recently announced that it will not use any additives in the fracking water, other than sand, which helps to keep the gas-bearing strata apart after the water has seeped away, thus facilitating the escape of the natural gas. Without the usual additives, the extraction of the gas will be more costly, because higher pressures will have to be used. This is a price the company is willing to pay, in order to reassure the public. Whatever decisions are made with regard to developing our natural resorces, they should be based on sound scientific findings, not on uninformed scaremongering. Having said that, there should certainly be a public debate on the issue, because, left to themselves, planning authorities don’t always get it right.

Margaret Franklin is a chemist and former Senior Lecturer at Athlone Institute of

Technology. Margaret is co-author of the book, Colour, what we see and the science

of sight.

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someone with a scientific background will look at the evidence, and they will have a good grasp of what charts and statistics actually mean. On this point, the Mayor said that one part of the City of Science programme that appealed strongly to him is the “Hacking the City” project in which the public will have open access to council data. Hundreds of data sets, he said, are being released, and, to take one example, people will be able to do their own analysis on the water supply, how much is there, and how it changes during the day. As he remarked, “Hacking the City” is a great way to get the public more involved in science. Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, said that following the continued and sustained support for science in Ireland the City of Science event comes at a good time. It is important for people to see the relevance of this support, he said, and to appreciate that there are concrete benefits to the economy from the investment. “Thinking

of my own experience of science at school, it was too corralled, narrowing it down, and what this event is all about is the opposite.” In spite of the challenge of convincing voters that a big investment is justified, Professor Patrick Cunningham remarked that there has been no division in the political will to maintain support for science and research. When the idea of inviting Europe’s biggest science event to Ireland first came up, he said “the tiger was in town, and all the graphs were pointing up.” As we all know, the cut-backs, when they came, were severe, and Prof Cunningham admitted to having some anxious moments that all the ambitious plans would have to be scrapped. However, as the government changed, the City of Science was seen as just the sort of event that would help Ireland recover, and indeed show the world that in many aspects of science and research, Ireland is now second to none. The government, said Prof

Cunningham, is underwriting about half the cost, compared to previous events elsewhere, the European Commission has doubled its support, and industry is also expected to make a significant contribution. All of this, said Prof Cunningham, is very positive, and apart from the Irish perspective, we are hosting Europe’s biggest science conference at a critical time. The current Framework 7 programme, under which research is funded throughout the European Union, is coming to an end, and under Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn, a bigger, and more comprehensive programme, Horizon 2020, will be taking its place starting in 2014. Ireland’s researchers will benefit from this, yet, as Prof Cunningham remarked, just a few years ago, all of this would have seemed impossible. When it came to getting support, Irish scientists were hardly at the starting line, but that has changed. “We are more than pulling out weight now,” said Prof Cunningham.

CITy OF SCIEnCE 2012 follows the European Science Open Forum event in Turin in 2010, and that in turn was two years after ESOF in Barcelona. The ESOF events were initiated by Euroscience, an independent group of scientists who saw the need to highlight the best in European science. In the US there is the well-funded American Association for the Advancement of Science, usually simply known as the AAAS, which acts as a showcase for American science. The members of Euroscience thought that Europe needed to have something similar, so in 2004 the first ESOF conference was launched at Stockholm, and since then it has continued to grow as a biannual event, going on to Munich in 2006, Barcelona in 2008, Turin in 2010, and this year Dublin. At a Euroscience Ireland meeting Prof Cunningham said the number of

proposals for the programme has greatly exceed expectations. Four months, he said, had been spent winnowing these down, and that meant that about three quarters of the submissions had to be turned down, and a number of these would have been worth including. “We are trying to do something about that,” said Prof Cunningham, and one of the questions on many peoples’ minds now, is just how big can the ESOF events get. The success of ESOF has taken many people by surprise, yet it began as a bottom-up initiative by a group of scientists who retain their ultimate control and ownership. The group is independent, but as is often the case, independence can mean having to work within limited budgets. As ESOF seems destined to grow and grow as a major event in promoting European science, Prof Cunningham

remarked that it might be a good idea to look at how it is funded. One of the recent developments that could be relevant, he said, is the recent regrouping of European organisations involved in supporting research. The former European Heads of Research Councils, EUROHORCs, has been reorganised, and rebranded as Science Europe, and the new organisation is made up of 42 research funding bodies, including the Health Research Board and SFI in Ireland. While recognising that there would be issues to be resolved, Prof Cunningham said it is hard to escape the compelling logic — “Science Europe has endless money, billions, while Euroscience just has pennies,” he commented. yet, ultimately, while independence would have to be weighed up against political pressures, both organisations have similar aims.

BIG AND GETTING BIGGER

CITY OF SCIENCE 2012


DUBLIN CITY OF SCIENCE 2012In 2012 Ireland hosts the European open forum on science

www.dublinscience2012.ie


Gold Frenzy is available from the Science Spin website, Dubray’s,

Kenny’, Hanna’s, the GSI store and from other sselected bookshops.

Hardback €20 IBSN 0 906002 08 7

Albertine Kennedy Publishing, Cloonlara, Swinford,

County Mayo

GOLD FRENZYIN 1795, following the chance discovery of a nugget, there was a

gold rush as people were drawn by the prospect of picking up instant wealth from Wicklow’s Goldmine River. Gold has always been mankind’s enduring passion, and long after the initial rush which the Government tried to crush, the belief persisted that great wealth remained undiscovered among the Wicklow hills. Charles Stewart Parnell was among those eager to support the prospectors, and with independence, nationalists were convinced that Ireland was about to rediscover its source of ancient gold.

In his entertaining and highly informative book, Peadar McArdle, former Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland, describes how the frenzy has never really died down, and to this day, panners dream that one day they might strike it rich.

The story of Wicklow’s gold by Peadar McArdle

Searching for gold in County Wicklow, by the late 18th century Irish landscape artist, Thomas Sautell Roberts. Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.

Order on line from

sciencespin.com for post-free delivery Ireland, UK and EU

Create IrelandRuns a training programme for people setting up digital media companies. Run by IADT and the Digital Hub with Enterprise Ireland support.Frederic Herrera [email protected] www.createireland.ie

Applied Technology Enhancement CentresThere are thirteen of these centres, designed to provide common ground between applied researchers and local industries. The AREs are supported by Enterprise Ireland and are based in the institutes of technology.Programme Manger, Paddy ByrneEnterprise Ireland, Waterford.051 [email protected]

ArcLabs Research and Innovation CentreProviding new and early-stage enterprises with access to R&D resources and business development support.Manager Tom Corcoran Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford. 051 [email protected] www.arclabs.ie

Bio-incubation CentreFacilitating development of applications from medical research.St James’ Hospital, Dublin 8

BioBusiness LtdAn association for promoting life sciences and health technology and facilitating networking for collaboration and business development.Project Manager Dr Declan Bogan The Innovation Centre, Northern Ireland Science Park, Queen’s Road, Island, Belfast

BT3 9DT +44 (0) [email protected] www.biobusinessni.org

Business Partner ProgrammeThis is a programme run by Enterprise Ireland matching investors and entrepreneurs with emerging technologies that are considered ripe for commercial development. Match up events have been held to showcase inventions. Enterprise Ireland.www.enterprise-ireland.com

Carlow Campus Innovation CentreAssisting knowledge based companies to develop by providing incubation space and access to research expertise.Enterprise Development Manager Brian Ogilvie ERIC, Carlow Institute of Technology, Carlow. 059 [email protected] www.itcarlow.ie/enterprise/campus-innovation.htm

CoLabProviding support and space for new firms. A programme for start-ups is run in association with IT Sligo.Patsy Donaghy Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. 074 [email protected] wws.lyit.ie

Commercialisation Office, NUIMDirector of Commercialisation John Scanlan National University of Ireland Maynooth, Auxillia Building, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Community Enterprise CentresThere are over a hundred of these across the country. In June the Government announced that business development managers are to be appointed to 37 of these. Operating under Enterprise ireland, the managers will be responsible for promoting business development locally.Tom HayesEnterprise Ireland.

Community of Innovation Researchers, AIIP-CORAll Island initiative bringing academics and postgrade students involved in innovation together.Chair Dr Nicola Hewitt-Dundas Queen’s University Belfast [email protected]

Competence CentresA joint initiative of IDA and EI to establish high-level centres of expertise in applied research. The centres are based in third level colleges and are run in collaboration with industry. See separate list for the existing and planned competence centres.Enterprise Ireland www.enterprise-ireland.com

Convergence CouncilA group drawn from IBEC, IDA, EI, Shannon Development, Forfás and Office of Chief Scientific Office, to foster convergence between sectors. Chair, Sharon Higgins.IBEC, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

Cork Electronics Industry Association, CEIAThe association was established in 1984 to nurture growth of the electronics industry in the Cork region. Membership includes local firms and multnationals.

Malachy McElroy Industry House, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork. 087 [email protected] wwwceia.ie

DIT HothouseThe technology transfer centre at Dublin Institute of Technology with responsibility for commercialisation of research. Working with a number of companies to provide expertise and technology, and assists knowledge-intensive start ups.Bernadette O’ReillyAungier Street, Dublin 2.01 4027179Email: [email protected]/hothouse

Dublin Business Innovation CentreEstablished in 1988 to support business start-ups.Communications Debbie Chapman [email protected] www.dbic.ie

Electronics Production and Innovation Centre, EpiCentreProviding local industries with access to specialised equipment and expertise. The centre works in partnership with the University of Ulster, Institute of Technology Letterkenny, and North West Regional College.School of Computing and Intelligent systems, University of Ulster, Magee, Northland Road, Derry. BT487JL Northern Ireland 028 7137 5153ß[email protected]

Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre, ERICAssisting knowledge based companies to develop by providing incubation space and access to research expertise.Manager, Brian Ogilvie Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow. 059 [email protected] www.itcarlow.ie/enterprise-platform-programme

INNOVATIONA selection of centres and organisations involved with innovation

INN

OVA

TIO

N


Gold Frenzy is available from the Science Spin website, Dubray’s,

Kenny’, Hanna’s, the GSI store and from other sselected bookshops.

Hardback €20 IBSN 0 906002 08 7

Albertine Kennedy Publishing, Cloonlara, Swinford,

County Mayo

GOLD FRENZYIN 1795, following the chance discovery of a nugget, there was a

gold rush as people were drawn by the prospect of picking up instant wealth from Wicklow’s Goldmine River. Gold has always been mankind’s enduring passion, and long after the initial rush which the Government tried to crush, the belief persisted that great wealth remained undiscovered among the Wicklow hills. Charles Stewart Parnell was among those eager to support the prospectors, and with independence, nationalists were convinced that Ireland was about to rediscover its source of ancient gold.

In his entertaining and highly informative book, Peadar McArdle, former Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland, describes how the frenzy has never really died down, and to this day, panners dream that one day they might strike it rich.

The story of Wicklow’s gold by Peadar McArdle

Searching for gold in County Wicklow, by the late 18th century Irish landscape artist, Thomas Sautell Roberts. Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.

Order on line from

sciencespin.com for post-free delivery Ireland, UK and EU

Create IrelandRuns a training programme for people setting up digital media companies. Run by IADT and the Digital Hub with Enterprise Ireland support.Frederic Herrera [email protected] www.createireland.ie

Applied Technology Enhancement CentresThere are thirteen of these centres, designed to provide common ground between applied researchers and local industries. The AREs are supported by Enterprise Ireland and are based in the institutes of technology.Programme Manger, Paddy ByrneEnterprise Ireland, Waterford.051 [email protected]

ArcLabs Research and Innovation CentreProviding new and early-stage enterprises with access to R&D resources and business development support.Manager Tom Corcoran Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford. 051 [email protected] www.arclabs.ie

Bio-incubation CentreFacilitating development of applications from medical research.St James’ Hospital, Dublin 8

BioBusiness LtdAn association for promoting life sciences and health technology and facilitating networking for collaboration and business development.Project Manager Dr Declan Bogan The Innovation Centre, Northern Ireland Science Park, Queen’s Road, Island, Belfast

BT3 9DT +44 (0) [email protected] www.biobusinessni.org

Business Partner ProgrammeThis is a programme run by Enterprise Ireland matching investors and entrepreneurs with emerging technologies that are considered ripe for commercial development. Match up events have been held to showcase inventions. Enterprise Ireland.www.enterprise-ireland.com

Carlow Campus Innovation CentreAssisting knowledge based companies to develop by providing incubation space and access to research expertise.Enterprise Development Manager Brian Ogilvie ERIC, Carlow Institute of Technology, Carlow. 059 [email protected] www.itcarlow.ie/enterprise/campus-innovation.htm

CoLabProviding support and space for new firms. A programme for start-ups is run in association with IT Sligo.Patsy Donaghy Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. 074 [email protected] wws.lyit.ie

Commercialisation Office, NUIMDirector of Commercialisation John Scanlan National University of Ireland Maynooth, Auxillia Building, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Community Enterprise CentresThere are over a hundred of these across the country. In June the Government announced that business development managers are to be appointed to 37 of these. Operating under Enterprise ireland, the managers will be responsible for promoting business development locally.Tom HayesEnterprise Ireland.

Community of Innovation Researchers, AIIP-CORAll Island initiative bringing academics and postgrade students involved in innovation together.Chair Dr Nicola Hewitt-Dundas Queen’s University Belfast [email protected]

Competence CentresA joint initiative of IDA and EI to establish high-level centres of expertise in applied research. The centres are based in third level colleges and are run in collaboration with industry. See separate list for the existing and planned competence centres.Enterprise Ireland www.enterprise-ireland.com

Convergence CouncilA group drawn from IBEC, IDA, EI, Shannon Development, Forfás and Office of Chief Scientific Office, to foster convergence between sectors. Chair, Sharon Higgins.IBEC, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

Cork Electronics Industry Association, CEIAThe association was established in 1984 to nurture growth of the electronics industry in the Cork region. Membership includes local firms and multnationals.

Malachy McElroy Industry House, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork. 087 [email protected] wwwceia.ie

DIT HothouseThe technology transfer centre at Dublin Institute of Technology with responsibility for commercialisation of research. Working with a number of companies to provide expertise and technology, and assists knowledge-intensive start ups.Bernadette O’ReillyAungier Street, Dublin 2.01 4027179Email: [email protected]/hothouse

Dublin Business Innovation CentreEstablished in 1988 to support business start-ups.Communications Debbie Chapman [email protected] www.dbic.ie

Electronics Production and Innovation Centre, EpiCentreProviding local industries with access to specialised equipment and expertise. The centre works in partnership with the University of Ulster, Institute of Technology Letterkenny, and North West Regional College.School of Computing and Intelligent systems, University of Ulster, Magee, Northland Road, Derry. BT487JL Northern Ireland 028 7137 5153ß[email protected]

Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre, ERICAssisting knowledge based companies to develop by providing incubation space and access to research expertise.Manager, Brian Ogilvie Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow. 059 [email protected] www.itcarlow.ie/enterprise-platform-programme

INNOVATIONA selection of centres and organisations involved with innovation

INN

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N


Focas InstituteThe Institute provides a common, core facility and equipment for research activities in science and engineering. It has received further significant funding under PRTLI Cycle 4 as part of the multi-institutional National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Ireland (NBIPI) and the Integrated NanoSciences Platform for Ireland (INSPIRE) and has established significant links with key researchers in universities and research centres across Europe.Head Prof Hugh J Byrne Dublin Institute of Technology, Camden Row, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected] www.focas.dit.ie

Food Business Incubation CentreEight food processing units available for industry.Peter Simpson Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. www.loughrycollege.info/ftd/core/food126.htm

Food Product Development CentreThe centre develops food products and uses a team of food technologists, chefs and technologists to provide support to industry.Mary Dineen DIT Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1. 01 [email protected] www.fpdc.dit.ie

Food Technology CentreProviding the food industry with training, product development and sensory test facilitiesMichael Hosey St Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo. 071 [email protected] www.thefoodtechnologycentre.ie

FUSEThe FUSE Initiative is a two year initiative that was started by EI but is run and driven by entrepreneurs from throughout the South East region. It was started in January 2011 and to date has 170 members, many very significant employers from the region.www.enterprise-ireland.com

Gateway UCCInnovation and incubation centre to support development of knowledge-based companies and providing links between UCC researchers and industry.Manager Myriam Cronin UCC, Office of Technology transfer, University College Cork. 021 [email protected] http://gateway.ucc.ie

Geoscience IrelandA consortium of mineral exploration, water resource and environmental consultancy services with extensive experience at home and abroad. Geoscience Ireland works in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.Director Koen Verbruggen GSI Haddington Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected] www.gsi.ie/geoscienceireland

INN

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The Focas Research Institute, DIT, (www.focas.dit.ie) was established under the Higher Education Authority Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycle 1 (1999-2001), co-funded by the EU.

The facility addresses the common needs of research activities in Science and Engineering. The venture is founded on established expertise within the Institute and aims to consolidate and develop this expertise, while nurturing developing research activities within the DIT.

Thus it promotes interdisciplinary collaborations within the Institute and with other national and international bodies, and provides a support service for national industry.

The 3200m2 facility, to the rear of the DIT Kevin Street site in the heart of Dublin, provides state of the art core laboratory support in microscopy and spectroscopy for a range of research groups and activities. The facilities were consolidated under PRTLI Cycle 4 (2007-2013), co-funded by the EU Regional Development Fund, through the Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland (www.inspirenano.ie) and the National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Ireland, (www.nbipireland.ie) and are incorporated as a pilot site in the EuroBioImaging programme (www.eurobioimaging.eu).

Label free sub-cellular imaging of nanoparticles in single cells using

Raman microspectroscopy.

Focas now houses an unrivalled suite of instrumentation for spectroscopic (UV to far IR) characterisation and imaging (Raman, FTIR) and optical (Confocal fluorescence), scanning probe (AFM, conductive AFM) and electron microscopy (SEM, WDX, EDX, variable pressure/cryo SEM, TEM).

Focas contributes strongly to the development of self-sustaining research teams in a number of strategic areas, such as Bio and Nano technologies. Recent notable research outputs include novel technologies for cervical cancer screening (www.dit.ie/hothouse/newsevents/newsarchive/news2011/ditresearcherwinsonetowatch/) and antibacterial surface coatings (http://www.dit.ie/hothouse/newsevents/latestnews/dittechnologystarsateuinnovationexpo/).

It furthermore underpins postgraduate research as well as undergraduate project work and undergraduate and postgraduate course curriculum development.

The Focas Research Institute is a one-stop-shop for characterisation of materials and processes and operates an open access policy with expert technical and scientific support.

For further details on accessing the expertise and facilities [email protected]

Web: www.focas.dit.ie


Guinness Enterprise Centre, GECManaged by Dublin Business Innovation Centre, a base is provided for more than 70 start-up companies. Over the past eleven years the centre has support 491 companies with advice and venture funding.Taylor’s Lane, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration CentreProviding resources, training and mentoring for business start-ups. Incubation centre based at Limerick Institute of TechnologyBusiness Liaison Gillian Barry 086 [email protected] www.hartnettcentre.ie

IGNITE TTOSupporting knowledge transfer and commercialisation at NUI Galway.Business Development Manager Fiona Neary Research and Innovation Centre, NUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Incubation CentreIncubation Centre Manager Patsy Donaghy Letterkenny Institute of Technology Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Industrial Liaison OfficeCommercialisation Specialist Ronan Coleman Cork Institute of Technology Bishopstown Campus, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Innovation CentreNorthern Ireland Science Park, Queen’s Road, Queen’s Island, Belfast BT3 9DT Northern Ireland 07808 776196Innovation in Business Centre,Commercial Services Manager John Kennedy

GMIT Westport Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo. 091 [email protected]

Innovation Centre, NUI MaynoothRun by the Commercialisation Office of NUI Maynooth to commercialise research results and develop links to industry.Director John ScanlanJohn Hume Building, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Innovation in Business Centre, IIBCGMIT has two innovation centres, Galway and Castlebar. The centres provide a supporting environment for knowledge-based starts ups.George McCourt GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]

GMIT Castlebar, Co Mayo. 090 [email protected]

Innovation Voucher SchemeRun by Enterprise Ireland to assist companies engage with R&D

Innovation WexfordA non-profit job and business creation body. The name adopted by the Wexford Community Development Association Society to focus on sustainable employment and enterprise development.CEO Brendan Ennis 053 [email protected] www.innovationwexford.com

International Smart Ocean Graduate Enterprise Initiative, ISGEIInvolves collaboration of IRCSET, the Marine Institute and five Irish universities to support research projects. In 2011 €2m was made available to ISGEI to provide funds for 28 research posts.

InterTradeIrelandSupporting SMEs across the border for all island trade. A partnership between Enterprise Ireland and Invest NI based in Newry with a staff of 40 under a 12 member council.The Old Gasworks Business Park, Kilmorey Street, Newry, Co Down. BT342DE. Northern Ireland [email protected] www.intertradeireland.com

Invent Centre DCUEstablished 2001 to foster knowledge based enterprise and forge links to business and industry. In addition to licensing technologies Invent facilitates new start-up technology companies. Projects match research expertise at DCU to international market opportunities, taking advantage of state supports.Enterprise Development Maria Johnston Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected] www.dcu.ie/invent

Invest Northern IrelandFunds innovation, promotes industrial development, and attracts inward investment. Operates as part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and has seven regional offices in Northern Ireland.Bedford Square, Belfast BT2 7ES. 02890698000 (048 from ROI)[email protected] www.investni.com/bio

Irish Innovation CentreSilicon Valley based centre providing support for Irish IT start-ups. The Irish Technology Leadership Group is a partner in the Irish Innovation Centre. John Cassidy 189 W, Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113. Tel: +1 [email protected] www.irishtechcap.com

Irish International Business NetworkA international network of people in business with Dublin, NI, London and US chapters.http://www.iibn.com/

IT Sligo Innovation CentreProviding help and support for start-ups and assisting established businesses to expand. The centre houses more than 20 new firms involved in such areas as softeware, chemicals, biotechnology and e-learning.Janette Gillen Instute of Technology Sligo Ash Lane, Sligo. 071 [email protected] www.itsligo.ie/innovation

Kilkenny Research and Innovation CentreA joint initiative between Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Carlow and Kilkenny local authorities to provide incubation space for start-ups.

Killarney Technology Innovation CentrePurpose built enterprise incubation centre.Development Manager George Nash KTI Centre, Deerpark, Killarney, Co Kerry. 064 [email protected] www.killarney-innovation.com

LEAPAn enterprise support centre at Limerick Institute of Technology for graduates who want to start knowledge-based businesses.Graham Royce Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick. 061 [email protected] www.leap.ie

INN

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Focas InstituteThe Institute provides a common, core facility and equipment for research activities in science and engineering. It has received further significant funding under PRTLI Cycle 4 as part of the multi-institutional National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Ireland (NBIPI) and the Integrated NanoSciences Platform for Ireland (INSPIRE) and has established significant links with key researchers in universities and research centres across Europe.Head Prof Hugh J Byrne Dublin Institute of Technology, Camden Row, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected] www.focas.dit.ie

Food Business Incubation CentreEight food processing units available for industry.Peter Simpson Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. www.loughrycollege.info/ftd/core/food126.htm

Food Product Development CentreThe centre develops food products and uses a team of food technologists, chefs and technologists to provide support to industry.Mary Dineen DIT Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1. 01 [email protected] www.fpdc.dit.ie

Food Technology CentreProviding the food industry with training, product development and sensory test facilitiesMichael Hosey St Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo. 071 [email protected] www.thefoodtechnologycentre.ie

FUSEThe FUSE Initiative is a two year initiative that was started by EI but is run and driven by entrepreneurs from throughout the South East region. It was started in January 2011 and to date has 170 members, many very significant employers from the region.www.enterprise-ireland.com

Gateway UCCInnovation and incubation centre to support development of knowledge-based companies and providing links between UCC researchers and industry.Manager Myriam Cronin UCC, Office of Technology transfer, University College Cork. 021 [email protected] http://gateway.ucc.ie

Geoscience IrelandA consortium of mineral exploration, water resource and environmental consultancy services with extensive experience at home and abroad. Geoscience Ireland works in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.Director Koen Verbruggen GSI Haddington Road, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected] www.gsi.ie/geoscienceireland

INN

OVATIO

N

The Focas Research Institute, DIT, (www.focas.dit.ie) was established under the Higher Education Authority Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycle 1 (1999-2001), co-funded by the EU.

The facility addresses the common needs of research activities in Science and Engineering. The venture is founded on established expertise within the Institute and aims to consolidate and develop this expertise, while nurturing developing research activities within the DIT.

Thus it promotes interdisciplinary collaborations within the Institute and with other national and international bodies, and provides a support service for national industry.

The 3200m2 facility, to the rear of the DIT Kevin Street site in the heart of Dublin, provides state of the art core laboratory support in microscopy and spectroscopy for a range of research groups and activities. The facilities were consolidated under PRTLI Cycle 4 (2007-2013), co-funded by the EU Regional Development Fund, through the Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland (www.inspirenano.ie) and the National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Ireland, (www.nbipireland.ie) and are incorporated as a pilot site in the EuroBioImaging programme (www.eurobioimaging.eu).

Label free sub-cellular imaging of nanoparticles in single cells using

Raman microspectroscopy.

Focas now houses an unrivalled suite of instrumentation for spectroscopic (UV to far IR) characterisation and imaging (Raman, FTIR) and optical (Confocal fluorescence), scanning probe (AFM, conductive AFM) and electron microscopy (SEM, WDX, EDX, variable pressure/cryo SEM, TEM).

Focas contributes strongly to the development of self-sustaining research teams in a number of strategic areas, such as Bio and Nano technologies. Recent notable research outputs include novel technologies for cervical cancer screening (www.dit.ie/hothouse/newsevents/newsarchive/news2011/ditresearcherwinsonetowatch/) and antibacterial surface coatings (http://www.dit.ie/hothouse/newsevents/latestnews/dittechnologystarsateuinnovationexpo/).

It furthermore underpins postgraduate research as well as undergraduate project work and undergraduate and postgraduate course curriculum development.

The Focas Research Institute is a one-stop-shop for characterisation of materials and processes and operates an open access policy with expert technical and scientific support.

For further details on accessing the expertise and facilities [email protected]

Web: www.focas.dit.ie


Guinness Enterprise Centre, GECManaged by Dublin Business Innovation Centre, a base is provided for more than 70 start-up companies. Over the past eleven years the centre has support 491 companies with advice and venture funding.Taylor’s Lane, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration CentreProviding resources, training and mentoring for business start-ups. Incubation centre based at Limerick Institute of TechnologyBusiness Liaison Gillian Barry 086 [email protected] www.hartnettcentre.ie

IGNITE TTOSupporting knowledge transfer and commercialisation at NUI Galway.Business Development Manager Fiona Neary Research and Innovation Centre, NUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Incubation CentreIncubation Centre Manager Patsy Donaghy Letterkenny Institute of Technology Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Industrial Liaison OfficeCommercialisation Specialist Ronan Coleman Cork Institute of Technology Bishopstown Campus, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Innovation CentreNorthern Ireland Science Park, Queen’s Road, Queen’s Island, Belfast BT3 9DT Northern Ireland 07808 776196Innovation in Business Centre,Commercial Services Manager John Kennedy

GMIT Westport Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo. 091 [email protected]

Innovation Centre, NUI MaynoothRun by the Commercialisation Office of NUI Maynooth to commercialise research results and develop links to industry.Director John ScanlanJohn Hume Building, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Innovation in Business Centre, IIBCGMIT has two innovation centres, Galway and Castlebar. The centres provide a supporting environment for knowledge-based starts ups.George McCourt GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]

GMIT Castlebar, Co Mayo. 090 [email protected]

Innovation Voucher SchemeRun by Enterprise Ireland to assist companies engage with R&D

Innovation WexfordA non-profit job and business creation body. The name adopted by the Wexford Community Development Association Society to focus on sustainable employment and enterprise development.CEO Brendan Ennis 053 [email protected] www.innovationwexford.com

International Smart Ocean Graduate Enterprise Initiative, ISGEIInvolves collaboration of IRCSET, the Marine Institute and five Irish universities to support research projects. In 2011 €2m was made available to ISGEI to provide funds for 28 research posts.

InterTradeIrelandSupporting SMEs across the border for all island trade. A partnership between Enterprise Ireland and Invest NI based in Newry with a staff of 40 under a 12 member council.The Old Gasworks Business Park, Kilmorey Street, Newry, Co Down. BT342DE. Northern Ireland [email protected] www.intertradeireland.com

Invent Centre DCUEstablished 2001 to foster knowledge based enterprise and forge links to business and industry. In addition to licensing technologies Invent facilitates new start-up technology companies. Projects match research expertise at DCU to international market opportunities, taking advantage of state supports.Enterprise Development Maria Johnston Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected] www.dcu.ie/invent

Invest Northern IrelandFunds innovation, promotes industrial development, and attracts inward investment. Operates as part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and has seven regional offices in Northern Ireland.Bedford Square, Belfast BT2 7ES. 02890698000 (048 from ROI)[email protected] www.investni.com/bio

Irish Innovation CentreSilicon Valley based centre providing support for Irish IT start-ups. The Irish Technology Leadership Group is a partner in the Irish Innovation Centre. John Cassidy 189 W, Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113. Tel: +1 [email protected] www.irishtechcap.com

Irish International Business NetworkA international network of people in business with Dublin, NI, London and US chapters.http://www.iibn.com/

IT Sligo Innovation CentreProviding help and support for start-ups and assisting established businesses to expand. The centre houses more than 20 new firms involved in such areas as softeware, chemicals, biotechnology and e-learning.Janette Gillen Instute of Technology Sligo Ash Lane, Sligo. 071 [email protected] www.itsligo.ie/innovation

Kilkenny Research and Innovation CentreA joint initiative between Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Carlow and Kilkenny local authorities to provide incubation space for start-ups.

Killarney Technology Innovation CentrePurpose built enterprise incubation centre.Development Manager George Nash KTI Centre, Deerpark, Killarney, Co Kerry. 064 [email protected] www.killarney-innovation.com

LEAPAn enterprise support centre at Limerick Institute of Technology for graduates who want to start knowledge-based businesses.Graham Royce Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick. 061 [email protected] www.leap.ie

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Learning and Innovation Centre, LINCProviding start-up companies with space and support. Training programmes for industry and facilities for local businesses.Enterprise Manager Claire MacNamee Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected] www.thelinc.ie

Learning Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre, LinKIn each of our three core strands, individuals and teams are engaged in a variety of cross-disciplinary research projects that reflect current national and international concerns with issues such as innovation in SMEs, commercialization of third level IP, digital participation and education, as perceived in reports such as “Tomorrow’s Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy, 2007, Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, 2006 and various reports by International bodies, as well as with issues of existing and forthcoming interest to the national and international research community.DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

M50 EnterpriseProviding training support for entrepreneurs. The programme involves a partnership between four higher education institutions. Nicola Mountford Synergy Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected] www.m50-enterprise.ie

Media Cube, TheDigital media incubation centre at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Provides an environment for growth and development of

media firms.Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected] wwwmediacube.ie

Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, MIRCProviding incubation facilities and an enterprise programme for enterpreneurs. Manager Michael Lonergan Institute of Technology Athlone, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected] www.mirc.ie

NCI Business Incubation CentreLinking college expertise to industry and providing support for new business start ups.Commercial Manager Bertie Kelly National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, Dublin 1. 01 4498704

New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development ProgrammeProviding training support for entrepreneurs. The programme is targeted at people who are in the early stages of setting up a technology-based or knowledge-intensive business.Manager Nick Mernagh Synergy Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght. Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected] www.synergycentre.ie

Nexus Innovation CentreLinking college expertise to industry and providing support for new business start ups.Manager Andrea Deverell University of Limerick, Tierney Building, Limerick. 061 [email protected] www.nexusinnovation.ie

Northern Ireland Science Park40,000 st ft science park in Belfast24 incubation units and facilities providing an environment for spin-outs and business growth.CEO Norman ApsleyQueen’s Road, Queen’s Island, Belfast BT3 9DT028 9073 [email protected]

NovaUCDThe Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre is responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from UCD research programmes and for the development of co-operation with industry and business. NovaUCD as a purpose-built centre also nurtures high-tech and knowledge-intensive enterprises.Michéal Whelan Belfield Innovation Park, UCD, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected] www.ucd.ie/nova

NUI Galway Business Innovation Centre24 incubation units and facilities providing an environment for spin-outs and business growth.Technology Transfer Office, Science, Engineering and Technology Building, NUI Galway. 091 492147www.nuigalway.ie/tto

Office of InnovationTranslating intellectual property into market products and services through fostering spinouts, licensing, consultancy and collaboration in developing projects.Director of Innovation Tim Brundle University of Ulster Room 26A20 Jordanstown Campus, Shore Road, Newtownabbey. BT37 0QB Northern Ireland [email protected]

Office of ResearchTechnology transfer for commercial developmentdManager Breda Lynch Athlone Institute of Technology Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]

RCSI Technology Transfer OfficeEstablished in January 2008 to assist the College’s research community in the identification, capture and commercialisation of intellectual property.Gearoid Tuohy 121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected] www.rcsi.ie.technologytransfer

Regional Development CentreProviding space, technology transfer, mentoring and support programmes for start-up companies.Manager, Garrett Duffey Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Co Louth. 042 [email protected] www.rdc.ie

Rubicon CentreBusiness incubation centre at Cork Institute of Technology, housing about 50 start-up companies. Providing space at two locations and management support. CIT Campus, Bishopstown, Cork, and Westwide Centre, Model Farm Road, Cork.Peter Finnegan CIT Campus, Bishopstown, Cork. 021 [email protected] www.rubiconcentre.ie

Spirit of Enterprise ForumA group of agencies and other bodies involved in promotion of development in the South East region. The Forum meets ever quarter and has established an annual enterprise week during which advice is provided to enterpreneurs and firms in the region.www.spiritofenterprise.ie

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Have you any idea of what’s going on inside your brain?Research scientist and writer, Dr Veronica Miller introduces us to our remarkable brain, literally taking the cap off and explaining in fascinating detail how it works. Why are we so emotional, what happens when things go wrong, and can we become more intelligent? Veronica’s highy informative and entertaining text tells us just about everything we would like to know about the brain, including lots about the latest Irish research.

The book, a matching volume for Colour and Rock Around Ireland, is due out soon. Look out for details on the Science Spin sitewww.sciencespin.com



SpringboardA programme of support for science and technology enterpreneurs run under the Northern Ireland NISP programme. and aimed at projects with significant earning potential.Programme Manager Joanne Jennings 108-112 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1DL028 90315111

Startup IrelandAn Enterprise Ireland initiative aimed at getting overseas enterpreneurs to set up companies in Ireland. A €10m fund is available to those establishing high potential exporting companies, provided they come up with matching finance..Manager Lorcan O’Sullivan Enterprise Ireland www.startinireland.com

Synergy CentreInnovation centre with focus on high technology and knowledge intensive start ups. Fostering industry-academia links.

Synergy Centre Manager Nick Mernagh Institute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected] www.synergycentre.ie

Teagasc Oak ParkTechnology Transfer of food and agricultural research results.Director of Research Frank O’Mara Carlow, Co Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Technology Innovation Development Award, TIDAProviding funds to enable SFI supported applied research to move forwards into commercialisation. This year €6.5 million in funding was allocated to 58 research projects. About a fifth of the awards went to TCD.Science Foundation Ireland, Wilton Tce, Dublin 2.

Technology Transfer OfficesTen offices dedicated to technology transfer have been established with the support of Enterprise Ireland at ten Higher Education Institutes. The TTO officers can be contacted through the university and IT innovation centres.Technology Exploitation Networks Peter O’Fegan Enterprise Ireland Galway. 091 735921

Tom Crean CentreProviding space and support for business development and industry-academic collaboration.Kathrina Purtill Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected] www.creancentre.com

Trinity College DublinAssociate Director, Research and Innovation James Callaghan O’Reilly Institute, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Trinity Entrepreneural SocietyCollege society for students with ambitions to go into business.Box 4 Regent House, Trinity College Dublin. Dublin 2. [email protected] www.trinityentrepreneurial.com

Trinity Technology and Enterprise CampusProviding 16,000 m2 of space for small and medium sized enterprises with 36 units around the Tower building housing 26 craft tenants.Padraig O’Shea Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected] www.tcd.ie

Tyndall Incubation CentreStart-up companies based on Tyndall technologies are offered admin and management support.021 [email protected]

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Learning and Innovation Centre, LINCProviding start-up companies with space and support. Training programmes for industry and facilities for local businesses.Enterprise Manager Claire MacNamee Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected] www.thelinc.ie

Learning Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre, LinKIn each of our three core strands, individuals and teams are engaged in a variety of cross-disciplinary research projects that reflect current national and international concerns with issues such as innovation in SMEs, commercialization of third level IP, digital participation and education, as perceived in reports such as “Tomorrow’s Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy, 2007, Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, 2006 and various reports by International bodies, as well as with issues of existing and forthcoming interest to the national and international research community.DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

M50 EnterpriseProviding training support for entrepreneurs. The programme involves a partnership between four higher education institutions. Nicola Mountford Synergy Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected] www.m50-enterprise.ie

Media Cube, TheDigital media incubation centre at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Provides an environment for growth and development of

media firms.Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected] wwwmediacube.ie

Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, MIRCProviding incubation facilities and an enterprise programme for enterpreneurs. Manager Michael Lonergan Institute of Technology Athlone, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected] www.mirc.ie

NCI Business Incubation CentreLinking college expertise to industry and providing support for new business start ups.Commercial Manager Bertie Kelly National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, Dublin 1. 01 4498704

New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development ProgrammeProviding training support for entrepreneurs. The programme is targeted at people who are in the early stages of setting up a technology-based or knowledge-intensive business.Manager Nick Mernagh Synergy Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght. Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected] www.synergycentre.ie

Nexus Innovation CentreLinking college expertise to industry and providing support for new business start ups.Manager Andrea Deverell University of Limerick, Tierney Building, Limerick. 061 [email protected] www.nexusinnovation.ie

Northern Ireland Science Park40,000 st ft science park in Belfast24 incubation units and facilities providing an environment for spin-outs and business growth.CEO Norman ApsleyQueen’s Road, Queen’s Island, Belfast BT3 9DT028 9073 [email protected]

NovaUCDThe Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre is responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from UCD research programmes and for the development of co-operation with industry and business. NovaUCD as a purpose-built centre also nurtures high-tech and knowledge-intensive enterprises.Michéal Whelan Belfield Innovation Park, UCD, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected] www.ucd.ie/nova

NUI Galway Business Innovation Centre24 incubation units and facilities providing an environment for spin-outs and business growth.Technology Transfer Office, Science, Engineering and Technology Building, NUI Galway. 091 492147www.nuigalway.ie/tto

Office of InnovationTranslating intellectual property into market products and services through fostering spinouts, licensing, consultancy and collaboration in developing projects.Director of Innovation Tim Brundle University of Ulster Room 26A20 Jordanstown Campus, Shore Road, Newtownabbey. BT37 0QB Northern Ireland [email protected]

Office of ResearchTechnology transfer for commercial developmentdManager Breda Lynch Athlone Institute of Technology Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]

RCSI Technology Transfer OfficeEstablished in January 2008 to assist the College’s research community in the identification, capture and commercialisation of intellectual property.Gearoid Tuohy 121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected] www.rcsi.ie.technologytransfer

Regional Development CentreProviding space, technology transfer, mentoring and support programmes for start-up companies.Manager, Garrett Duffey Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Co Louth. 042 [email protected] www.rdc.ie

Rubicon CentreBusiness incubation centre at Cork Institute of Technology, housing about 50 start-up companies. Providing space at two locations and management support. CIT Campus, Bishopstown, Cork, and Westwide Centre, Model Farm Road, Cork.Peter Finnegan CIT Campus, Bishopstown, Cork. 021 [email protected] www.rubiconcentre.ie

Spirit of Enterprise ForumA group of agencies and other bodies involved in promotion of development in the South East region. The Forum meets ever quarter and has established an annual enterprise week during which advice is provided to enterpreneurs and firms in the region.www.spiritofenterprise.ie

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Have you any idea of what’s going on inside your brain?Research scientist and writer, Dr Veronica Miller introduces us to our remarkable brain, literally taking the cap off and explaining in fascinating detail how it works. Why are we so emotional, what happens when things go wrong, and can we become more intelligent? Veronica’s highy informative and entertaining text tells us just about everything we would like to know about the brain, including lots about the latest Irish research.

The book, a matching volume for Colour and Rock Around Ireland, is due out soon. Look out for details on the Science Spin sitewww.sciencespin.com



SpringboardA programme of support for science and technology enterpreneurs run under the Northern Ireland NISP programme. and aimed at projects with significant earning potential.Programme Manager Joanne Jennings 108-112 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1DL028 90315111

Startup IrelandAn Enterprise Ireland initiative aimed at getting overseas enterpreneurs to set up companies in Ireland. A €10m fund is available to those establishing high potential exporting companies, provided they come up with matching finance..Manager Lorcan O’Sullivan Enterprise Ireland www.startinireland.com

Synergy CentreInnovation centre with focus on high technology and knowledge intensive start ups. Fostering industry-academia links.

Synergy Centre Manager Nick Mernagh Institute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected] www.synergycentre.ie

Teagasc Oak ParkTechnology Transfer of food and agricultural research results.Director of Research Frank O’Mara Carlow, Co Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Technology Innovation Development Award, TIDAProviding funds to enable SFI supported applied research to move forwards into commercialisation. This year €6.5 million in funding was allocated to 58 research projects. About a fifth of the awards went to TCD.Science Foundation Ireland, Wilton Tce, Dublin 2.

Technology Transfer OfficesTen offices dedicated to technology transfer have been established with the support of Enterprise Ireland at ten Higher Education Institutes. The TTO officers can be contacted through the university and IT innovation centres.Technology Exploitation Networks Peter O’Fegan Enterprise Ireland Galway. 091 735921

Tom Crean CentreProviding space and support for business development and industry-academic collaboration.Kathrina Purtill Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected] www.creancentre.com

Trinity College DublinAssociate Director, Research and Innovation James Callaghan O’Reilly Institute, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Trinity Entrepreneural SocietyCollege society for students with ambitions to go into business.Box 4 Regent House, Trinity College Dublin. Dublin 2. [email protected] www.trinityentrepreneurial.com

Trinity Technology and Enterprise CampusProviding 16,000 m2 of space for small and medium sized enterprises with 36 units around the Tower building housing 26 craft tenants.Padraig O’Shea Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected] www.tcd.ie

Tyndall Incubation CentreStart-up companies based on Tyndall technologies are offered admin and management support.021 [email protected]

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Commercialisation Office, NUIMDirector of Commercialisation John ScanlanNational University of Ireland Maynooth, Auxillia Building, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Hothouse, DITCEO Hothouse Tom FlanaganDublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/hothouse

Incubation Campus, IT CarlowEnterprise Developent Officer Brian OgilvieInstitute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Industrial Liaison Office, Letterkenny ITIndustrial Services Manager Padraig GallagherLetterkenny Institute of Technology Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Industrial Liaison Office, Cork Institute of TechnologyCommercialisation Specialist Ronan ColemanCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown Campus, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Innovation in Business Centre, GMITCommercial Services Manager John KennedyGMIT Westport Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo. 091 [email protected]

Institute of Technology SligoHead of Technology Transfer Niall McEvoyBallinode, Sligo. 071 [email protected]

Institute of Technology IT TallaghtIndustrial Liaison Manager Pat O’DonnellTallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Technology, IT TraleeHead of Development Jerry CliffordTralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Invent, DCUCEO Invent Richard StokesDublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

IT BlanchardstownIndustrial Liaison Officer Assumpta HarveyBlanchardstown, Dublin 15. 01 [email protected]

Nova UCDTT Manager Ciaran O’BeirneUniversity College Dublin, Belfield. Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/nova

Office of Research, Athlone ITProgramme Manager Breda LynchAthlone Institute of Technology Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]

Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandAssociate Director Gearoid Tuohy121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Teagasc Oak ParkDirector of Research Frank O’MaraCarlow, Co Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Technology Transfer Office, Waterford ITIndustrial Service Manager Kathryn KielyRoom 2.10 Walton IT Building, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road Campus, Waterford.051 [email protected]/Research/In-dustryServicesampTechnolo-gyTransfer/

Technology Transfer Office, NUI GalwayBusiness Development Manager Fiona NearyNUI Galway, University Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]/tto

Trinity College DublinAssociate Director, Research and Innovation James CallaghanO’Reilly Institute, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/research_innova-tion/technology

University College CorkDirector, Technology Transfer Brendan T CremenWestern Gateway, Cork. 021 [email protected]://techtransfer.ucc.ie

University of LimerickDirector, Technology Transfer Paul DillonFoundation Building, Limerick. 061 [email protected]/web/WWW/Services/Research/Technol-ogy_Transfer_Office

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICERSThe TTO officers specialise in licencing out research

and transferring academic knowledge into industry.

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Teagasc is the leading public sector organisation in the fields of agriculture and food research in Ireland. It was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988 with responsibility for meeting the knowledge and technology needs of the entire food chain and the authority to integrate research, advice and education services to deliver the innovation support necessary to add value to Ireland’s agri-food sector.

Our annual research portfolio comprises some 300 research projects carried out by 500 scientific and technical staff in our research centres. We collaborate extensively with Irish universities. Our post-graduate fellowship programme, which supports more than 100 MSc and PhD students annually, enhances this collaboration. We participate extensively in EU Framework Programmes and have bilateral agreements with research organisations in Europe, the USA and New Zealand.

The challenge for our research is to provide leadership to the agri-food industry and rural communities by generating new knowledge to underpin competitiveness and sustainability. The main focus of our research is on the rapid delivery of results with potential for economic and social impact. We have also strengthened our capacity in key areas of fundamental research, specifically by making significant investment in the biosciences.

The Teagasc Food Programme is developing the base of expertise and information in generic technologies needed to assist the Irish food industry to achieve consistent quality and guaranteed safety, allied to product and process innovations. The Programme covers the full spectrum of the innovatory process, ranging from market studies through to strategic research to technology development services and training programmes. Teagasc is recognised as a leading player in the functional foods sector and works closely with the enterprise-development agencies and university partners in serving as an attractor for high technology foreign direct investment. Moorepark Technology Ltd. (MTL), which is an innovative food pilot plant jointly owned by Teagasc and Irish food companies, is a key link in the technology transfer chain.

Our Knowledge Transfer Programme supports innovation by farmers in the management of their businesses and provides access to the technologies they can apply to improve their competitiveness. The knowledge transfer advisory programme is delivered by advisers throughout Ireland, who have contact with some 80,000 farmers and rural dwellers each year. Approximately 45,000 avail of our intensive farm consultancy service.

The advisory service is targeted at intensive dairy, drystock, and tillage farmers and is mainly developmental in nature, but is significantly influenced by public policy schemes and the provision of public goods and services. The best technologies and the latest research is transferred to farmers using a variety of methods, including discussion groups, individual consultations, farm management newsletters, the education and training programme and through a large number of public events.

Our Mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and wider

bioeconomy so as to underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.

Teagasc is a major provider of education for the overall land-based sector and the food sector. We provide specialised and customised training to the agri-service companies as required. We are a registered FETAC training provider and work in partnership with many other education stakeholders, including the universities and Institutes of Technology, to deliver quality-driven, applied education and training programmes.

Our education programmes are provided through a network of colleges and regional education centres with full-time, part-time and distance learning courses offered as appropriate. Life-long learning is now an essential requirement in the farming sector, and our advisory and education services are committed to expanding our role in this area.

The Teagasc model of innovation support recognises the importance of integrating the critical functions of research, knowledge transfer (advisory) and knowledge absorption (education) in order to ensure impact for its stakeholders. Indeed, Teagasc is unique in European terms in having these three elements embedded within a single organisation. No one element is sufficient of itself to ensure that knowledge capital translates into a form of knowledge that is usable for the benefit of stakeholders. The model also emphasises that stakeholders are key participants in an increasingly open system of innovation.

Contacts:Chairman; Dr. Noel Cawley Senior management:

National Director: Prof. Gerry Boyle; [email protected] Director of Research : Dr. Frank O Mara; [email protected] of Knowledge Transfer : Dr. Tom Kelly; [email protected] Operations Officer: Tom Doherty; [email protected]

Teagasc delivers six programmes:Animal and Grassland Programme; [email protected] Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme; [email protected] Rural Economy and Development Programme; [email protected] Food Programme; [email protected] Education Programme; [email protected] Advisory Programme; [email protected]

Head Office Oak Park, Carlow

Tel: (059) 917 0200, Fax: (059) 918 2097Website: www.teagasc.ie

TEAGASC THE IRISH AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

www.teagasc.ie






Food Programme

Education Programme


Advisory Programme


Commercialisation Office, NUIMDirector of Commercialisation John ScanlanNational University of Ireland Maynooth, Auxillia Building, Maynooth, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Hothouse, DITCEO Hothouse Tom FlanaganDublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/hothouse

Incubation Campus, IT CarlowEnterprise Developent Officer Brian OgilvieInstitute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Industrial Liaison Office, Letterkenny ITIndustrial Services Manager Padraig GallagherLetterkenny Institute of Technology Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. 074 [email protected]

Industrial Liaison Office, Cork Institute of TechnologyCommercialisation Specialist Ronan ColemanCork Institute of Technology Bishopstown Campus, Cork. 021 [email protected]

Innovation in Business Centre, GMITCommercial Services Manager John KennedyGMIT Westport Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo. 091 [email protected]

Institute of Technology SligoHead of Technology Transfer Niall McEvoyBallinode, Sligo. 071 [email protected]

Institute of Technology IT TallaghtIndustrial Liaison Manager Pat O’DonnellTallaght, Dublin 24. 01 [email protected]

Institute of Technology, IT TraleeHead of Development Jerry CliffordTralee, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Invent, DCUCEO Invent Richard StokesDublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

IT BlanchardstownIndustrial Liaison Officer Assumpta HarveyBlanchardstown, Dublin 15. 01 [email protected]

Nova UCDTT Manager Ciaran O’BeirneUniversity College Dublin, Belfield. Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/nova

Office of Research, Athlone ITProgramme Manager Breda LynchAthlone Institute of Technology Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]

Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandAssociate Director Gearoid Tuohy121 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Teagasc Oak ParkDirector of Research Frank O’MaraCarlow, Co Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Technology Transfer Office, Waterford ITIndustrial Service Manager Kathryn KielyRoom 2.10 Walton IT Building, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road Campus, Waterford.051 [email protected]/Research/In-dustryServicesampTechnolo-gyTransfer/

Technology Transfer Office, NUI GalwayBusiness Development Manager Fiona NearyNUI Galway, University Road, Galway. 091 [email protected]/tto

Trinity College DublinAssociate Director, Research and Innovation James CallaghanO’Reilly Institute, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]/research_innova-tion/technology

University College CorkDirector, Technology Transfer Brendan T CremenWestern Gateway, Cork. 021 [email protected]://techtransfer.ucc.ie

University of LimerickDirector, Technology Transfer Paul DillonFoundation Building, Limerick. 061 [email protected]/web/WWW/Services/Research/Technol-ogy_Transfer_Office

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICERSThe TTO officers specialise in licencing out research

and transferring academic knowledge into industry.

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Teagasc is the leading public sector organisation in the fields of agriculture and food research in Ireland. It was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988 with responsibility for meeting the knowledge and technology needs of the entire food chain and the authority to integrate research, advice and education services to deliver the innovation support necessary to add value to Ireland’s agri-food sector.

Our annual research portfolio comprises some 300 research projects carried out by 500 scientific and technical staff in our research centres. We collaborate extensively with Irish universities. Our post-graduate fellowship programme, which supports more than 100 MSc and PhD students annually, enhances this collaboration. We participate extensively in EU Framework Programmes and have bilateral agreements with research organisations in Europe, the USA and New Zealand.

The challenge for our research is to provide leadership to the agri-food industry and rural communities by generating new knowledge to underpin competitiveness and sustainability. The main focus of our research is on the rapid delivery of results with potential for economic and social impact. We have also strengthened our capacity in key areas of fundamental research, specifically by making significant investment in the biosciences.

The Teagasc Food Programme is developing the base of expertise and information in generic technologies needed to assist the Irish food industry to achieve consistent quality and guaranteed safety, allied to product and process innovations. The Programme covers the full spectrum of the innovatory process, ranging from market studies through to strategic research to technology development services and training programmes. Teagasc is recognised as a leading player in the functional foods sector and works closely with the enterprise-development agencies and university partners in serving as an attractor for high technology foreign direct investment. Moorepark Technology Ltd. (MTL), which is an innovative food pilot plant jointly owned by Teagasc and Irish food companies, is a key link in the technology transfer chain.

Our Knowledge Transfer Programme supports innovation by farmers in the management of their businesses and provides access to the technologies they can apply to improve their competitiveness. The knowledge transfer advisory programme is delivered by advisers throughout Ireland, who have contact with some 80,000 farmers and rural dwellers each year. Approximately 45,000 avail of our intensive farm consultancy service.

The advisory service is targeted at intensive dairy, drystock, and tillage farmers and is mainly developmental in nature, but is significantly influenced by public policy schemes and the provision of public goods and services. The best technologies and the latest research is transferred to farmers using a variety of methods, including discussion groups, individual consultations, farm management newsletters, the education and training programme and through a large number of public events.

Our Mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and wider

bioeconomy so as to underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.

Teagasc is a major provider of education for the overall land-based sector and the food sector. We provide specialised and customised training to the agri-service companies as required. We are a registered FETAC training provider and work in partnership with many other education stakeholders, including the universities and Institutes of Technology, to deliver quality-driven, applied education and training programmes.

Our education programmes are provided through a network of colleges and regional education centres with full-time, part-time and distance learning courses offered as appropriate. Life-long learning is now an essential requirement in the farming sector, and our advisory and education services are committed to expanding our role in this area.

The Teagasc model of innovation support recognises the importance of integrating the critical functions of research, knowledge transfer (advisory) and knowledge absorption (education) in order to ensure impact for its stakeholders. Indeed, Teagasc is unique in European terms in having these three elements embedded within a single organisation. No one element is sufficient of itself to ensure that knowledge capital translates into a form of knowledge that is usable for the benefit of stakeholders. The model also emphasises that stakeholders are key participants in an increasingly open system of innovation.

Contacts:Chairman; Dr. Noel Cawley Senior management:

National Director: Prof. Gerry Boyle; [email protected] Director of Research : Dr. Frank O Mara; [email protected] of Knowledge Transfer : Dr. Tom Kelly; [email protected] Operations Officer: Tom Doherty; [email protected]

Teagasc delivers six programmes:Animal and Grassland Programme; [email protected] Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme; [email protected] Rural Economy and Development Programme; [email protected] Food Programme; [email protected] Education Programme; [email protected] Advisory Programme; [email protected]

Head Office Oak Park, Carlow

Tel: (059) 917 0200, Fax: (059) 918 2097Website: www.teagasc.ie

TEAGASC THE IRISH AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

www.teagasc.ie






Food Programme

Education Programme


Advisory Programme


Wireless Sensor Applied Research

Seamless Use through Network Abstraction Technologies, SUNAT

Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre

Centre for Applied Photonics and Process Control, CAPPA

Technologies for Embedded Computing, TEC

Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, MEDIC

South Eastern Applied Material Research Centre, SEAM

Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, PMBRC

TSSG Innovation and Commercialisation Centre, TICC

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology, CREST

Micro Sensors for Clinical Analysis, MICRA

Centre for Affective Solutions for Ambient Living Awareness, CASALA

Ion Channel Biotechnology Centre


Technologies for Embedded Computing, TECApplied research in networked embedded systems.Cork Institute of Technology.www.tec-centre.ie

TSSG Innovation and Commercialisation Centre, TICCResearching the next generation of telecom and Internet services.Waterford Institute of Technology.www.tssg.org

Seamless Use Through Network Abstraction Technologies, SUNATWorking on seamless delivery over mobile, fixed line and networks.Athlone Institute of Technology.www.ait.ie/sri

Wireless Sensor Applied Research Centre, WISAR LabResearch on wireless sensor networks for medical monitoring and data collecting.Letterkenny Institute of Technology.www.wisar.org

Centre for Affective Solutions for Ambient Living AwarenessEnabling the elderly and ill to have an independent life through use of smart devices.Dundalk Institute of Technology.www.casala.ie

Shannon Applied Biotechnology CentreDeveloping products from natural biosources. The centre operates from Limerick IT and Tralee IT.

Limerick Institute of Technology.Tralee Institute of Technology.www.shannonabc.com

Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, PMBRCWorking on processing technology, biotechnology and separation science.Waterford Institute of Technologywww.pmbrc.org

Ion Chennel Biotechnology Centre, ICBCCombining expertise in physiology, chemistry, molecular biology and other disciplines for life science developments.Dundalk Institute of Technologywww.icbc.ie

Micro Sensors for Clinical Analysis, MICRABiosensor technologies for detection of biologically active substances.Institute of Technology, Tallagh.www.micra.ie

South Eastern Applied Materials, SEAMWorking on materials engineering solutions for pharmaceutical, microelectronic and other industries.Waterford Institute of Technology.www.seam.ie

Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis, CAPPAWorking on photonics and optics for novel devices and applications such as medical diagnostics and process monitoring.Cork Institute of Technology.www.cappa.ie

Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, MEDICResearch on medical device innovation.Cork Institute of Technology.www.medic.ie

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology, CRESTResearch on surface coatings and product development for a range of industries.Dublin Institute of Technology.www.crestdid.com

Applied Research Enhancement Centres, AREsThe Applied Research Enhancement Centres were established by Enterprise Ireland to enable firms to undertake research and development. The centres, based at the

institutes of technology, are focused on applied research for industry.

INN

OVATIO

N


The Institutes of Technology have a long track record of delivering research, development, innovation and enterprise solutions to industry, ranging from multi-national companies to locally-based SMEs. With significant expertise built up around internationally recognised research centres, all aligned with national priority areas, we have a platform to deliver real change and impact for key sectors of the Irish economy. Our work to stimulate innovation across enterprises also includes Incubation Units available across all Institutes, the New Frontiers programme which supports new start-ups, and 13 Applied Research Enhancement (ARE) centres which provide specialised focused RDI support directly to industry.

For further details about our expertise and the services available please see www.ioti.ie/RDI or contact IOTI Office for Research Development and Innovation on (01) 708 2953

www.ioti.ie/RDI

Institutes of Technology Ireland

Biorefining and Bioenergy The focus is on exploitation of biomass resources. Biomass growth in Ireland is high, and the aim of researchers is to develop energy and materials from this resource.The Centre is co-hosted by the National University of Ireland Galway, University of Limerick, and University College Dublin and there are links to Trinity College Dublin.http://www.ccbb.ie

IT Innovation Co-founded by NUIM and Intel. The primary focus is on creating a gold standard for IT management. The Centre now has over 75 collaborating members.http://ivi.nuim.ie

Applied NanotechnologyCollaborative Centre for Applied Nanotechnology, CCAN. Giving companies access to technical expertise in nanotechnology. Co-hosted by Tyndall National Institute and CRANN. TCD.http://www.ccan.ie

Composite Materials Giving industrial partners access to materials and composites research. Partners from aerospace, energy, construction and other sectors share access to test facilities and expertise at University of Limerick and University College Dublin.http://www.ul.ie/icomp

MicroelectronicsGiving industry access to research in microelectronics and facilities for product development. Co-hosted by Tyndall National Institute and University of Limerick. [http://www.mcci.ie

Food for Health IrelandDeveloping ‘functional foods’ with enhanced nutritional qualities. The main focus is on milk as the source of nutrients. Collaboration between UCC, UCD, Teagasc, UL and a number of food producers.http://www.fhi.ie

Technology CentresThese are industry-led centres based in universities and funded by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA during their first five years of operation. The centres were established to give industry better access to applied research expertise and

resources. The centres undertake market-focused R&D for industry.

Manufacturing ResearchConsortium of manufacturers collaborating on research and innovation. Research covers such areas as predictive maintenance, skill development and manufacturing cycle time reduction. Collaborating with the colleges, but independently based in Leixlip, Co Kildare.http://www.icmr.ie

Energy Efficiency12E2 Research Centre. Concerned with energy efficiency in industry processes and buildings. As with Manufacturing Research, this centre is independently based in Leixlip, Co Kildare.http://www.i2e2.ie

International Energy Research Centre, IERCApplied research on integrated sustainable energy systems. Hosted by Tyndall National Institute.http://www.ierc.ie

Centre for Learning InnovationEstablished in June this year and based at Trinity College Dublin.

Four more centres are to be formed;Financial Services, Cloud ComputingData Analytics, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

INN

OVA

TIO

N


Wireless Sensor Applied Research

Seamless Use through Network Abstraction Technologies, SUNAT


Centre for Applied Photonics and Process Control, CAPPA

Technologies for Embedded Computing, TEC

Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, MEDIC

South Eastern Applied Material Research Centre, SEAM

Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, PMBRC

TSSG Innovation and Commercialisation Centre, TICC

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology, CREST

Micro Sensors for Clinical Analysis, MICRA

Centre for Affective Solutions for Ambient Living Awareness, CASALA

Ion Channel Biotechnology Centre


Technologies for Embedded Computing, TECApplied research in networked embedded systems.Cork Institute of Technology.www.tec-centre.ie

TSSG Innovation and Commercialisation Centre, TICCResearching the next generation of telecom and Internet services.Waterford Institute of Technology.www.tssg.org

Seamless Use Through Network Abstraction Technologies, SUNATWorking on seamless delivery over mobile, fixed line and networks.Athlone Institute of Technology.www.ait.ie/sri

Wireless Sensor Applied Research Centre, WISAR LabResearch on wireless sensor networks for medical monitoring and data collecting.Letterkenny Institute of Technology.www.wisar.org

Centre for Affective Solutions for Ambient Living AwarenessEnabling the elderly and ill to have an independent life through use of smart devices.Dundalk Institute of Technology.www.casala.ie

Shannon Applied Biotechnology CentreDeveloping products from natural biosources. The centre operates from Limerick IT and Tralee IT.

Limerick Institute of Technology.Tralee Institute of Technology.www.shannonabc.com

Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, PMBRCWorking on processing technology, biotechnology and separation science.Waterford Institute of Technologywww.pmbrc.org

Ion Chennel Biotechnology Centre, ICBCCombining expertise in physiology, chemistry, molecular biology and other disciplines for life science developments.Dundalk Institute of Technologywww.icbc.ie

Micro Sensors for Clinical Analysis, MICRABiosensor technologies for detection of biologically active substances.Institute of Technology, Tallagh.www.micra.ie

South Eastern Applied Materials, SEAMWorking on materials engineering solutions for pharmaceutical, microelectronic and other industries.Waterford Institute of Technology.www.seam.ie

Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis, CAPPAWorking on photonics and optics for novel devices and applications such as medical diagnostics and process monitoring.Cork Institute of Technology.www.cappa.ie

Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, MEDICResearch on medical device innovation.Cork Institute of Technology.www.medic.ie

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology, CRESTResearch on surface coatings and product development for a range of industries.Dublin Institute of Technology.www.crestdid.com

Applied Research Enhancement Centres, AREsThe Applied Research Enhancement Centres were established by Enterprise Ireland to enable firms to undertake research and development. The centres, based at the

institutes of technology, are focused on applied research for industry.

INN

OVATIO

N


The Institutes of Technology have a long track record of delivering research, development, innovation and enterprise solutions to industry, ranging from multi-national companies to locally-based SMEs. With significant expertise built up around internationally recognised research centres, all aligned with national priority areas, we have a platform to deliver real change and impact for key sectors of the Irish economy. Our work to stimulate innovation across enterprises also includes Incubation Units available across all Institutes, the New Frontiers programme which supports new start-ups, and 13 Applied Research Enhancement (ARE) centres which provide specialised focused RDI support directly to industry.

For further details about our expertise and the services available please see www.ioti.ie/RDI or contact IOTI Office for Research Development and Innovation on (01) 708 2953

www.ioti.ie/RDI

Institutes of Technology Ireland

Biorefining and Bioenergy The focus is on exploitation of biomass resources. Biomass growth in Ireland is high, and the aim of researchers is to develop energy and materials from this resource.The Centre is co-hosted by the National University of Ireland Galway, University of Limerick, and University College Dublin and there are links to Trinity College Dublin.http://www.ccbb.ie

IT Innovation Co-founded by NUIM and Intel. The primary focus is on creating a gold standard for IT management. The Centre now has over 75 collaborating members.http://ivi.nuim.ie

Applied NanotechnologyCollaborative Centre for Applied Nanotechnology, CCAN. Giving companies access to technical expertise in nanotechnology. Co-hosted by Tyndall National Institute and CRANN. TCD.http://www.ccan.ie

Composite Materials Giving industrial partners access to materials and composites research. Partners from aerospace, energy, construction and other sectors share access to test facilities and expertise at University of Limerick and University College Dublin.http://www.ul.ie/icomp

MicroelectronicsGiving industry access to research in microelectronics and facilities for product development. Co-hosted by Tyndall National Institute and University of Limerick. [http://www.mcci.ie

Food for Health IrelandDeveloping ‘functional foods’ with enhanced nutritional qualities. The main focus is on milk as the source of nutrients. Collaboration between UCC, UCD, Teagasc, UL and a number of food producers.http://www.fhi.ie

Technology CentresThese are industry-led centres based in universities and funded by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA during their first five years of operation. The centres were established to give industry better access to applied research expertise and

resources. The centres undertake market-focused R&D for industry.

Manufacturing ResearchConsortium of manufacturers collaborating on research and innovation. Research covers such areas as predictive maintenance, skill development and manufacturing cycle time reduction. Collaborating with the colleges, but independently based in Leixlip, Co Kildare.http://www.icmr.ie

Energy Efficiency12E2 Research Centre. Concerned with energy efficiency in industry processes and buildings. As with Manufacturing Research, this centre is independently based in Leixlip, Co Kildare.http://www.i2e2.ie

International Energy Research Centre, IERCApplied research on integrated sustainable energy systems. Hosted by Tyndall National Institute.http://www.ierc.ie

Centre for Learning InnovationEstablished in June this year and based at Trinity College Dublin.

Four more centres are to be formed;Financial Services, Cloud ComputingData Analytics, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

INN

OVA

TIO

N


Research at NUI GalwayA Spirit of DiScovery AnD DeliveryAt NUI Galway our research is inspired by our desire to enrich society.

Through our diverse and integrated research programmes we seek to learn from our past and to better understand the present so that we may contribute to better, smarter futures for all. At NUI Galway we draw greatly upon our rich natural hinterland on the west coast of Ireland, and this unique local context inspires a global perspective for all of our research. In looking to address the challenges and needs of today’s growing society, both at home and abroad, our research advances lead to life changing discoveries and to policies that will shape the future of tomorrow. Our research community is both vibrant and dynamic and we have attracted academics, researchers, entrepreneurs and students from across the globe and this richness in our own research culture positions us well to reach out and influence the lives of people from all aspects of society. Through our spirit of discovery and delivery we embrace new and creative ways of thinking. NUI Galway aims to be firmly embedded among the top rank of research universities. We make meaningful contributions internationally, nationally, and to our region in the west of Ireland, following a prioritised a set of research themes. These five integrated research priorities have evolved over our long history in research and in these areas we have, and continually strive, to make positive and lasting societal impacts:

1. Biomedical Science and Engineering2. Informatics, Physical and Computational Sciences3. Environment, Marine and Energy4. Applied Social Sciences and Public Policy5. Humanities in Context

To demonstrate some of the exciting initiatives on-going in the University we present here a small sample of activities and to find out more and follow our recent advances please visit us at www.nuigalway.ie/our- research

‘’The immune system is remarkably powerful and flexible in protecting us from infection but this protective system can also confound new innovations in treating disease.” Professor Matthew Griffin describing the human immune system.

Without a functioning immune system to recognize and destroy harmful microbes, human life would be impossible. The immune system has evolved to be triggered by the presence of “foreign” molecular patterns but this powerful protective force comes with the potential for great harm and requires a complex and sophisticated system of regulation. When this regulation breaks down or when we challenge the body with medical devices, transplants and cell therapies, the immune system may be the primary cause for disease or may foil our attempts at treating disease. However, each of us developed as a “transplant” in the body of another human but, rather than being destroyed, were accepted by our mother’s immune system. This exception to the normal rules of nature may be explained by special interactions between developing tissues and the immune system. Research carried out by Immunology Group of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), led by Prof. Matthew Griffin, Prof. Rod Ceredig and Dr. Thomas Ritter at NUI Galway

Recent investment has led to greatly enhanced facilities and infrastructure across

our thematic areas on our campus in the heart of Galway city. Featured above is the new Engineering Building opened in 2012.

and Dr. Bernard Mahon of NUI Maynooth, pursues the central goal of understanding and learning to manipulate regulatory mechanisms of the immune system. By studying how the immune system reacts upon exposure to stem cells the REMEDI Immunology Group seeks to unravel part of the mystery of our own development. This research reveals that stem cells from the bone marrow respond to signals that usually increase immune responses by producing an array of molecules that boost immune regulation instead. The application of this knowledge has the power to change the lives of millions suffering

from chronic diseases that are becoming more prevalent in modern society. For example the loss of vision through disease or damage to the cornea affects hundreds of thousands of people but sight can be restored by corneal transplantation. Unfortunately, more than half of these transplants fail as a result of immune system activation. Recent research by the REMEDI Immunology Group has shown that gene therapy and stem cell therapy hold great promise for saving sight by improving the survival of corneal transplants. The Group is also examining how the immune system responds to unhealthy lifestyle and contributes to its medical complications. For instance, while the progress made by Westernised societies has prolonged life and eradicated some devastating diseases it has also produced a new pandemic of obesity

and metabolic disease. Remarkably, unhealthy diet and obesity have been found to activate elements of the immune system which drive complications including diabetes and heart disease. Patient-centered research at REMEDI is closely examining how specialized immune cells of the blood are activated during unhealthy obesity to help us better understand and manage the dangers of our plentiful society.

‘‘In Smart Cities essential services are instrumented, interconnected and intelligent.’’ Dr. Mike Hartnett on the building of Smarter Cities.

The United Nations estimate that more than two thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2030. This represents almost a five-fold increase since 1900. For many this embodies the ‘triumph of the city’ but it brings with it a major set of challenges and difficulties for urban planners and those living in these cities. Among these new societal challenges is the continual struggle to manage key services operating in isolation, as there is often a lack of co-ordination across essential utilities such as housing, transportation, energy, water, waste or public safety. Thankfully, the insights of some cutting edge research is resulting in a quiet revolution in urban planning and management as the possibilities of environmental sensors, high speed-networks, co-ordinated transportation, smart buildings and intelligent software facilitate the evolution of our traditional metropolis into the smart city.

In these emerging Smart Cities these essential services are instrumented, interconnected and intelligent. These services exist in a continuum of interacting systems-of-systems, such as transport, energy and watery provision. This instrumented and interconnected system presents its own challenges along many dimensions – and in and in particular the challenge of interoperability, and coping with extreme volume demands and variability. The Smart City has an intelligent fabric and can provide a unifying platform from which to support integrated city operations, providing its citizens with accessible, transparent and accountable information and service sharing

Flow cell from a flow cytometer, one of the key instrument Professor Griffin and his

colleagues use in their immunology research.

between the public services and the city dwellers they serve. This advanced fabric provides enhanced capabilities around collaboration, sharing, mobility, multi-lingual translation, cyber security and privacy. To compete in the evolving economic climates, cities will need to better apply advanced information technology, analytics and systems thinking to develop a more citizen friendly approach to services. By doing so they can better attract, create, enable and retain theri citizens’ skills, knowledge and creativity. NUI Galway is research active in many aspects of the smart cities domain. For example, Dr Michael Hartnett, College of Engineering & Informatics and Ryan Institute, together with his colleague Dr Stephen Nash, are involved in research in many aspects of hydroinformatics. Recently, they have developed a model capable of simulating combinations of river and coastal flooding in urban areas using ultra-high spatial resolution. The model results can be visualised over Google Earth maps to identify individual streets that become flooded. Research is on-going to develop this into an operating forecasting system for cities such as Cork and Dublin. Among the other researchers at the University advancing the theme of Smart Cities is Dr Jim Duggan, head of the System Dynamics Research Group. He and his team specialise in policy modelling to support public health planning and responses. Some of the outcomes will be computation modelling software that can simulate the outbreak of epidemics and evaluate the impact of public health responses. This research will be integrated with key smart city environmental and sensor data, and so provide public health officials with real time decision support capability.

‘’Changing the web of documents into a web of knowledge.’’ Professor Stefan Decker on the semantic web technology.

In less than 20 years the worldwide web has utterly revolutionised the way we access and manage information. However in this digital age, we face a new challenge – how to efficiently and intelligently use the vast amount of data available to us. Professor Stefan Decker, Director of the Digital Enterprise Research

Dr Michael Hartnett with the recently deployed radar system

in Galway Bay which is now streaming large amounts of

real-time oceanographic data to servers at NUI Galway

Institute and his colleagues are creating new innovative ways to bring this information together into an accessible web of knowledge. We now have hundreds of millions of pages of information available to us on the web on every possible aspect of society. This is also one of the web’s greatest drawbacks; we have to read through all of this as the information is not interlinked or related to each other. We have to interlink it in our minds. In effect DERI are creating a digital model of something we all possess, a brain. In terms of information processing the brain doesn’t simply collect facts. It sorts and filters information, and links certain facts and knowledge together that we can draw upon them as we need.

In a similar way DERI is using semantic web technology which provides the framework to link information in a way that allows us to retrieve it and link it more efficiently. This opens up many exciting possibilities for all in society. For example if you and your friends wanted to find bands that were playing in your area playing on specific dates, you would

have to do a lot of work to sift through the information available. The semantic web technology uses a much more sophisticated and refined system of linked information so it can offer a tailored response to your specific query. Another exciting application for this technology is that scientists have been able to find answers to questions that they haven’t been able to answer to date. One way that this technology will be applied is in the area of cancer research. Here there have been millions of publications in specialised areas of research but the knowledge is largely inaccessible at a global scale. Professor Decker and his colleagues have brought all of this information into a central facility so that researchers can ask questions and have more direct access to linked answers. This technology can clearly be expanded into all fields of research from biology to climate change and ultimately support us in all aspects

of our daily lives. The linked data cloud being

developed by Professor Stefan Decker and his colleagues at

DERI.

Research at NUI GalwayA Spirit of DiScovery AnD DeliveryAt NUI Galway our research is inspired by our desire to enrich society.

Through our diverse and integrated research programmes we seek to learn from our past and to better understand the present so that we may contribute to better, smarter futures for all. At NUI Galway we draw greatly upon our rich natural hinterland on the west coast of Ireland, and this unique local context inspires a global perspective for all of our research. In looking to address the challenges and needs of today’s growing society, both at home and abroad, our research advances lead to life changing discoveries and to policies that will shape the future of tomorrow. Our research community is both vibrant and dynamic and we have attracted academics, researchers, entrepreneurs and students from across the globe and this richness in our own research culture positions us well to reach out and influence the lives of people from all aspects of society. Through our spirit of discovery and delivery we embrace new and creative ways of thinking. NUI Galway aims to be firmly embedded among the top rank of research universities. We make meaningful contributions internationally, nationally, and to our region in the west of Ireland, following a prioritised a set of research themes. These five integrated research priorities have evolved over our long history in research and in these areas we have, and continually strive, to make positive and lasting societal impacts:

1. Biomedical Science and Engineering2. Informatics, Physical and Computational Sciences3. Environment, Marine and Energy4. Applied Social Sciences and Public Policy5. Humanities in Context

To demonstrate some of the exciting initiatives on-going in the University we present here a small sample of activities and to find out more and follow our recent advances please visit us at www.nuigalway.ie/our- research

‘’The immune system is remarkably powerful and flexible in protecting us from infection but this protective system can also confound new innovations in treating disease.” Professor Matthew Griffin describing the human immune system.

Without a functioning immune system to recognize and destroy harmful microbes, human life would be impossible. The immune system has evolved to be triggered by the presence of “foreign” molecular patterns but this powerful protective force comes with the potential for great harm and requires a complex and sophisticated system of regulation. When this regulation breaks down or when we challenge the body with medical devices, transplants and cell therapies, the immune system may be the primary cause for disease or may foil our attempts at treating disease. However, each of us developed as a “transplant” in the body of another human but, rather than being destroyed, were accepted by our mother’s immune system. This exception to the normal rules of nature may be explained by special interactions between developing tissues and the immune system. Research carried out by Immunology Group of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), led by Prof. Matthew Griffin, Prof. Rod Ceredig and Dr. Thomas Ritter at NUI Galway

Recent investment has led to greatly enhanced facilities and infrastructure across

our thematic areas on our campus in the heart of Galway city. Featured above is the new Engineering Building opened in 2012.

and Dr. Bernard Mahon of NUI Maynooth, pursues the central goal of understanding and learning to manipulate regulatory mechanisms of the immune system. By studying how the immune system reacts upon exposure to stem cells the REMEDI Immunology Group seeks to unravel part of the mystery of our own development. This research reveals that stem cells from the bone marrow respond to signals that usually increase immune responses by producing an array of molecules that boost immune regulation instead. The application of this knowledge has the power to change the lives of millions suffering

from chronic diseases that are becoming more prevalent in modern society. For example the loss of vision through disease or damage to the cornea affects hundreds of thousands of people but sight can be restored by corneal transplantation. Unfortunately, more than half of these transplants fail as a result of immune system activation. Recent research by the REMEDI Immunology Group has shown that gene therapy and stem cell therapy hold great promise for saving sight by improving the survival of corneal transplants. The Group is also examining how the immune system responds to unhealthy lifestyle and contributes to its medical complications. For instance, while the progress made by Westernised societies has prolonged life and eradicated some devastating diseases it has also produced a new pandemic of obesity

and metabolic disease. Remarkably, unhealthy diet and obesity have been found to activate elements of the immune system which drive complications including diabetes and heart disease. Patient-centered research at REMEDI is closely examining how specialized immune cells of the blood are activated during unhealthy obesity to help us better understand and manage the dangers of our plentiful society.

‘‘In Smart Cities essential services are instrumented, interconnected and intelligent.’’ Dr. Mike Hartnett on the building of Smarter Cities.

The United Nations estimate that more than two thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2030. This represents almost a five-fold increase since 1900. For many this embodies the ‘triumph of the city’ but it brings with it a major set of challenges and difficulties for urban planners and those living in these cities. Among these new societal challenges is the continual struggle to manage key services operating in isolation, as there is often a lack of co-ordination across essential utilities such as housing, transportation, energy, water, waste or public safety. Thankfully, the insights of some cutting edge research is resulting in a quiet revolution in urban planning and management as the possibilities of environmental sensors, high speed-networks, co-ordinated transportation, smart buildings and intelligent software facilitate the evolution of our traditional metropolis into the smart city.

In these emerging Smart Cities these essential services are instrumented, interconnected and intelligent. These services exist in a continuum of interacting systems-of-systems, such as transport, energy and watery provision. This instrumented and interconnected system presents its own challenges along many dimensions – and in and in particular the challenge of interoperability, and coping with extreme volume demands and variability. The Smart City has an intelligent fabric and can provide a unifying platform from which to support integrated city operations, providing its citizens with accessible, transparent and accountable information and service sharing

Flow cell from a flow cytometer, one of the key instrument Professor Griffin and his

colleagues use in their immunology research.

between the public services and the city dwellers they serve. This advanced fabric provides enhanced capabilities around collaboration, sharing, mobility, multi-lingual translation, cyber security and privacy. To compete in the evolving economic climates, cities will need to better apply advanced information technology, analytics and systems thinking to develop a more citizen friendly approach to services. By doing so they can better attract, create, enable and retain theri citizens’ skills, knowledge and creativity. NUI Galway is research active in many aspects of the smart cities domain. For example, Dr Michael Hartnett, College of Engineering & Informatics and Ryan Institute, together with his colleague Dr Stephen Nash, are involved in research in many aspects of hydroinformatics. Recently, they have developed a model capable of simulating combinations of river and coastal flooding in urban areas using ultra-high spatial resolution. The model results can be visualised over Google Earth maps to identify individual streets that become flooded. Research is on-going to develop this into an operating forecasting system for cities such as Cork and Dublin. Among the other researchers at the University advancing the theme of Smart Cities is Dr Jim Duggan, head of the System Dynamics Research Group. He and his team specialise in policy modelling to support public health planning and responses. Some of the outcomes will be computation modelling software that can simulate the outbreak of epidemics and evaluate the impact of public health responses. This research will be integrated with key smart city environmental and sensor data, and so provide public health officials with real time decision support capability.

‘’Changing the web of documents into a web of knowledge.’’ Professor Stefan Decker on the semantic web technology.

In less than 20 years the worldwide web has utterly revolutionised the way we access and manage information. However in this digital age, we face a new challenge – how to efficiently and intelligently use the vast amount of data available to us. Professor Stefan Decker, Director of the Digital Enterprise Research

Dr Michael Hartnett with the recently deployed radar system

in Galway Bay which is now streaming large amounts of

real-time oceanographic data to servers at NUI Galway

Institute and his colleagues are creating new innovative ways to bring this information together into an accessible web of knowledge. We now have hundreds of millions of pages of information available to us on the web on every possible aspect of society. This is also one of the web’s greatest drawbacks; we have to read through all of this as the information is not interlinked or related to each other. We have to interlink it in our minds. In effect DERI are creating a digital model of something we all possess, a brain. In terms of information processing the brain doesn’t simply collect facts. It sorts and filters information, and links certain facts and knowledge together that we can draw upon them as we need.

In a similar way DERI is using semantic web technology which provides the framework to link information in a way that allows us to retrieve it and link it more efficiently. This opens up many exciting possibilities for all in society. For example if you and your friends wanted to find bands that were playing in your area playing on specific dates, you would

have to do a lot of work to sift through the information available. The semantic web technology uses a much more sophisticated and refined system of linked information so it can offer a tailored response to your specific query. Another exciting application for this technology is that scientists have been able to find answers to questions that they haven’t been able to answer to date. One way that this technology will be applied is in the area of cancer research. Here there have been millions of publications in specialised areas of research but the knowledge is largely inaccessible at a global scale. Professor Decker and his colleagues have brought all of this information into a central facility so that researchers can ask questions and have more direct access to linked answers. This technology can clearly be expanded into all fields of research from biology to climate change and ultimately support us in all aspects

of our daily lives. The linked data cloud being

developed by Professor Stefan Decker and his colleagues at

DERI.

Agriculture, Food and the MarineMinister Simon CoveneyMinister of State, Shane McEnteeA number of veterinary, pesticide, dairy science, seed testing and plant health laboratories operate under the Department. The central laboratory is at Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare.Food research is supported under the Food Institutional Research Measure, FIRM. Forestry research is supported in association with the COFORD Council. COFORD, the Council for Forest Research and Development. The Council. Council members, representing the forestry sector, is appointed by the Minister of State for Forestry.

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesMinister, Pat RabbitteMinister of State, Fergus O’DowdUnder this Department comes broadcasting, energy, communications, geological resources and inland fisheries.Semi-State bodies that come under the Department on energy are the Electricity Supply Board, Bord Gais Eireann, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Bord na Móna, and EirGrid. The Geological Survey of Ireland comes under the Department and Mineral exploration licences are issued by the Department

Department of Education and SkillsMinister, Ruairi QuinnMinister of State, Sean SherlockMinister of State, Ciaran CannonThe Higher Education Authority, is the statutory planning and policy development body for higher research operates under the Department.The Irish Research Council, created through the merger of IRCSET and IRCHSS is under the Department.

Department of the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentMinister, Phil HoganMet Eireann comes under this Department.The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is an independent public body operating under the aegis of the Department.The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent body with an executive board appointed by the Government.

Department of HealthMinister, Dr James ReillyMinister of State, Roisin ShortallMinister of State, Kathleen LynchAmong the agencies operating under the Department are the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Health Research Board, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and InnovationMinister, Richard BrutonMinister of State, Sean SherlockMinister for Research and Innovation, Sean SherlockUnder this Department are the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority, IDA Ireland, Inter Trade Ireland, Shannon Development, Science Foundation Ireland, the National Standard Authority, and Forfás.

Department of Justice and EqualityMinister, Alan ShatterMinister of State, Kathleen LynchMinister of State, Paul KeoghForensics Laboratory

• Taoiseach• Finance• Agriculture, Food and the Marine• Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht • Communications, Energy and Natural Resources• Defense • Education and Skills • Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Health• Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation• Environment, Community and Local Government • Justice Equality and Law Reform • Public Expenditure and Reform• Social Protection• Transport, Tourism and Sport

Government departments

While all departments can have an involement in science, some are directly responsible for major science, innovation and research bodies. The ministers of state, also known as junior ministers, have speficic areas of

responsibility within the department. While ministers usually have a limited life in power, they are advised by permanent departmental secretaries.


Dublin City University, Ireland’s University of Enterprise, is a distinctive, innovation

driven and research led third-level institution. One of Ireland’s youngest and most dynamic universities and radical in its strategy from the outset, it has always been particularly responsive to the needs of business and industry, both in its educational programmes and in its research. It is characterised today by a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and its ability to move quickly and to effect change.

DCU has a long and impressive history of collaboration with industry. The university leads two major academic-industrial collaborations, The Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (www.bdi.ie) and the Centre for Next Generation Localisation (www.cngl.ie), and is a partner in a third, Clarity: The Centre for Sensor Web Technologies (www.clarity-centre.org). DCU has also been awarded three national Strategic Research Clusters in the fields of Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer, Separation Science and Plasma Technology for Nano manufacturing.

These Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs) are major academic-industry collaborative programmes which provide partner companies with the opportunity to access university researchers and research facilities. All of these collaborations have a number of industry partners from multinationals to indigenous Irish companies who help to shape the research agenda of the centre and who can benefit from the commercialisation of the technology that is subsequently developed. Membership of a CSET typically entitles the industry partner access to existing technology and IP, access to research staff and facilities, work on joint projects and early access to newly developed technology and IP. Industrial partners include many major multinational companies such as Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Analog Devices, Becton Dickinson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dai Nippon Printing, Disney, Dow Corning, IBM, Intel, Lam Research Corp., Microsoft and Symantec to name but a few. The CSET model was developed by Science Foundation Ireland and is a flagship for success in relation to bringing industry led research to the marketplace.

At an academic level, DCU covers a wide range of disciplines from the humanities, engineering, management and computing to health and the natural sciences. DCU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to doctoral level, through full-time and part-time study or research, through a range of learning formats. Through the establishment of a new Centre for Digital Learning, DCU is building on its strong commitment to distance education and e-learning. DCU was also the first university in Ireland to offer work placements for undergraduates under its INTRA programme. This has given rise to graduates who are ready to hit the ground running when they take up their positions in the workplace.

DCU is also home to a number of world class research centres in pioneering interdisciplinary areas such as sensors, health and life sciences, ICT, plasma science and technology and machine translation. Between 2009 and 2011, DCU has attracted over €102

million in research funding and is committed to continuing its vigorous contribution to the development of Ireland as a globalised knowledge society.

Due to the very significant level of research funding at DCU, the commercialisation of research plays a leading role in the university’s strategy.

DCU has an excellent track record in commercialising research and in 2001 it

established Invent, a state of the art Technology Transfer Centre based on the DCU campus. Invent’s mission is to transform knowledge into commercial success and to provide the critical link between the university and the marketplace. It supports and encourages the transformation of cutting edge research into innovative and commercially exploitable products and services.

In addition to licensing technologies developed in the university and facilitating new start-up technology companies, Invent’s commercialisation strategy focusses on targeted collaborative projects with industrial partners. These projects match DCU’s research expertise to market opportunities identified by the partner companies and take advantage of significant state funding supports. Through this approach, Invent has an established track record of success in helping companies develop new products and services targeted at the international marketplace.

DCU has been the leading Irish university for the last three years in licensing technology, due in no small measure to the industry relevance of DCU’s translational research strategy and the strong pro-business outlook of the researchers and the Invent technology

transfer team. The comprehensive suite of supports available through Invent is ideal for transforming a good idea into a working business. Invent has helped many individuals to start their own business, providing purpose-built incubation space for technology based start-up companies and offering early stage and developmental business support services. Entrepreneurs and client companies also benefit from access to the sophisticated research environment at DCU, which includes its world-class national research centres.

The Invent team works closely with DCU, Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to promote the successful commercialisation of DCU research and to encourage and establish R&D links with industry. Both the university and Invent assist companies to exploit research opportunities in a spirit of partnership through fully collaborative projects.

In conclusion, Dublin City University has recently been ranked among the world’s top 50 universities in a new league table of the world’s young universities (less than 50 years old). DCU is the only Irish university to be featured and its inclusion in this rankings table is a resounding international endorsement of DCU’s quality as a young, dynamic university which places a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, innovation, research and commercialisation.

http://www.dcu.ie/

Dublin City University: A University at the Cutting Edge of Academic – Industry Collaborations

DCU’s Engineering & Research Building

Invent DCU’s Technology Transfer Centre

Agriculture, Food and the MarineMinister Simon CoveneyMinister of State, Shane McEnteeA number of veterinary, pesticide, dairy science, seed testing and plant health laboratories operate under the Department. The central laboratory is at Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare.Food research is supported under the Food Institutional Research Measure, FIRM. Forestry research is supported in association with the COFORD Council. COFORD, the Council for Forest Research and Development. The Council. Council members, representing the forestry sector, is appointed by the Minister of State for Forestry.

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesMinister, Pat RabbitteMinister of State, Fergus O’DowdUnder this Department comes broadcasting, energy, communications, geological resources and inland fisheries.Semi-State bodies that come under the Department on energy are the Electricity Supply Board, Bord Gais Eireann, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Bord na Móna, and EirGrid. The Geological Survey of Ireland comes under the Department and Mineral exploration licences are issued by the Department

Department of Education and SkillsMinister, Ruairi QuinnMinister of State, Sean SherlockMinister of State, Ciaran CannonThe Higher Education Authority, is the statutory planning and policy development body for higher research operates under the Department.The Irish Research Council, created through the merger of IRCSET and IRCHSS is under the Department.

Department of the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentMinister, Phil HoganMet Eireann comes under this Department.The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is an independent public body operating under the aegis of the Department.The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent body with an executive board appointed by the Government.

Department of HealthMinister, Dr James ReillyMinister of State, Roisin ShortallMinister of State, Kathleen LynchAmong the agencies operating under the Department are the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Health Research Board, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and InnovationMinister, Richard BrutonMinister of State, Sean SherlockMinister for Research and Innovation, Sean SherlockUnder this Department are the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority, IDA Ireland, Inter Trade Ireland, Shannon Development, Science Foundation Ireland, the National Standard Authority, and Forfás.

Department of Justice and EqualityMinister, Alan ShatterMinister of State, Kathleen LynchMinister of State, Paul KeoghForensics Laboratory

• Taoiseach• Finance• Agriculture, Food and the Marine• Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht • Communications, Energy and Natural Resources• Defense • Education and Skills • Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Health• Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation• Environment, Community and Local Government • Justice Equality and Law Reform • Public Expenditure and Reform• Social Protection• Transport, Tourism and Sport

Government departments

While all departments can have an involement in science, some are directly responsible for major science, innovation and research bodies. The ministers of state, also known as junior ministers, have speficic areas of

responsibility within the department. While ministers usually have a limited life in power, they are advised by permanent departmental secretaries.


Dublin City University, Ireland’s University of Enterprise, is a distinctive, innovation

driven and research led third-level institution. One of Ireland’s youngest and most dynamic universities and radical in its strategy from the outset, it has always been particularly responsive to the needs of business and industry, both in its educational programmes and in its research. It is characterised today by a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and its ability to move quickly and to effect change.

DCU has a long and impressive history of collaboration with industry. The university leads two major academic-industrial collaborations, The Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (www.bdi.ie) and the Centre for Next Generation Localisation (www.cngl.ie), and is a partner in a third, Clarity: The Centre for Sensor Web Technologies (www.clarity-centre.org). DCU has also been awarded three national Strategic Research Clusters in the fields of Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer, Separation Science and Plasma Technology for Nano manufacturing.

These Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs) are major academic-industry collaborative programmes which provide partner companies with the opportunity to access university researchers and research facilities. All of these collaborations have a number of industry partners from multinationals to indigenous Irish companies who help to shape the research agenda of the centre and who can benefit from the commercialisation of the technology that is subsequently developed. Membership of a CSET typically entitles the industry partner access to existing technology and IP, access to research staff and facilities, work on joint projects and early access to newly developed technology and IP. Industrial partners include many major multinational companies such as Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Analog Devices, Becton Dickinson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dai Nippon Printing, Disney, Dow Corning, IBM, Intel, Lam Research Corp., Microsoft and Symantec to name but a few. The CSET model was developed by Science Foundation Ireland and is a flagship for success in relation to bringing industry led research to the marketplace.

At an academic level, DCU covers a wide range of disciplines from the humanities, engineering, management and computing to health and the natural sciences. DCU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to doctoral level, through full-time and part-time study or research, through a range of learning formats. Through the establishment of a new Centre for Digital Learning, DCU is building on its strong commitment to distance education and e-learning. DCU was also the first university in Ireland to offer work placements for undergraduates under its INTRA programme. This has given rise to graduates who are ready to hit the ground running when they take up their positions in the workplace.

DCU is also home to a number of world class research centres in pioneering interdisciplinary areas such as sensors, health and life sciences, ICT, plasma science and technology and machine translation. Between 2009 and 2011, DCU has attracted over €102

million in research funding and is committed to continuing its vigorous contribution to the development of Ireland as a globalised knowledge society.

Due to the very significant level of research funding at DCU, the commercialisation of research plays a leading role in the university’s strategy.

DCU has an excellent track record in commercialising research and in 2001 it

established Invent, a state of the art Technology Transfer Centre based on the DCU campus. Invent’s mission is to transform knowledge into commercial success and to provide the critical link between the university and the marketplace. It supports and encourages the transformation of cutting edge research into innovative and commercially exploitable products and services.

In addition to licensing technologies developed in the university and facilitating new start-up technology companies, Invent’s commercialisation strategy focusses on targeted collaborative projects with industrial partners. These projects match DCU’s research expertise to market opportunities identified by the partner companies and take advantage of significant state funding supports. Through this approach, Invent has an established track record of success in helping companies develop new products and services targeted at the international marketplace.

DCU has been the leading Irish university for the last three years in licensing technology, due in no small measure to the industry relevance of DCU’s translational research strategy and the strong pro-business outlook of the researchers and the Invent technology

transfer team. The comprehensive suite of supports available through Invent is ideal for transforming a good idea into a working business. Invent has helped many individuals to start their own business, providing purpose-built incubation space for technology based start-up companies and offering early stage and developmental business support services. Entrepreneurs and client companies also benefit from access to the sophisticated research environment at DCU, which includes its world-class national research centres.

The Invent team works closely with DCU, Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to promote the successful commercialisation of DCU research and to encourage and establish R&D links with industry. Both the university and Invent assist companies to exploit research opportunities in a spirit of partnership through fully collaborative projects.

In conclusion, Dublin City University has recently been ranked among the world’s top 50 universities in a new league table of the world’s young universities (less than 50 years old). DCU is the only Irish university to be featured and its inclusion in this rankings table is a resounding international endorsement of DCU’s quality as a young, dynamic university which places a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, innovation, research and commercialisation.

http://www.dcu.ie/

Dublin City University: A University at the Cutting Edge of Academic – Industry Collaborations

DCU’s Engineering & Research Building

Invent DCU’s Technology Transfer Centre

SERVICES AND SUPPORTSA selection of organisations providing essential services, supplies and supports

Agricultural Research Centre, TeagascTesting of cereals and food products.Laboratory Head, Dr James Burke.Teagasc, Oak Park. Co Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science DivisionTesting and monitoring of foods and environment. Operating under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.Head of Division Dr Sydney NeillNewforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX [email protected]

Air Quality Technology CentreSound levels, air particle measurement.Department of Physics, NUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected],nuigalway.ie

Analytical Services and Environmental Projects Unit, ASEPProviding analytical services to industry.Queen’s University, School of Chemistry, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT95AG, Northern [email protected]/facilities/asep.html

Athlone Regional Veterinary LaboratoryTesting and monitoring of pathogens, properties and residues. Operates under the Department of Agriculture and Food.Research Officer John FaganCoosan, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 01 [email protected]

Atlantia FoodCROA spin out company from APC providing functional food companies with clinical trial validation service.Business Development Barry SkillingtonWestern Gateway University College Cork 086 [email protected]

ATTLAS, Access to Third Level Analytical ServicesInformation about analytical services available to industry from Higher Education Institutes in Ireland is available from a website. The site is hosted by the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster at the Uliversity of Limerick.061 [email protected]

Belfast Public Analyst’s LaboratoryOperating as an authorised laboratory and carrying out tests on food, radiation, contaminants and tracing geographical origins.Public Analyst Ron EnnionEurofins Laboratories (NI) Ltd., 4th Floor, 16 Donegall Square South, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT15JJ [email protected]

Beta LayoutPrototyping service for institutes and industry. Prototypes are produced in a variety of materials from design.Beta Layout, Shannon Free Zone, Co Clare.061 [email protected]

Bioserv LtdMechanical, chemical and biological testing.Dr Paul Tomkins.Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]/bioserv

Bord Iascaigh MharaMicrobiological testing.Dr Carol RaffertyPO Box 12, Croften Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Carl Stuart LtdCalibration of environmental test instrumentation.Tallaght Business Park, Dublin 24.John O’Sullivan01 [email protected]

Central Veterinary Research LaboratoryTesting and monitoring of pathogens, properties and residues. Operating under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.John FerrisYoung’s Cross, Celbridge, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Surface and Interface Analysis, CSIAConducts contract R&D and provides surface analysis on contract.Dr Liam McDonn ellCork Institute of Technology [email protected]

City Analysts LtdOperating two analytical labs, one in Dublin and one in Limerick. Providing chemical and microbiological analysis and maintaining links with academia.Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4. [email protected]

Cork Public Analyst’s LaboratoryFood, water and effluent analysis.Dr Fred DavidsonHSE, Southern Area, St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork 021 [email protected]

Feedingstuff Microscopy LaboratoryOne of the test laboratories operated under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.01 [email protected]

Flow ManagementCalibration of fuel dispensing pumps and additive systems.6 Turnpike Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 22.Contact: Ned Hogan01 [email protected]

Forensic Science LaboratoryConducts forensic tests in support of crime detection and law enforement. The facilities are not available to the general public, but are there to support police, customs and other state agencies.Director Dr Sheila WillisPhoenix Park, Dublin 8 01 [email protected]


SUPPO

RTS

International Research Centre for Experimental Physics, IRCEP Providing research students with state-of-the art facilities to develop new technologies.Queen’s University Belfast.http://www.ircep.qub.ac.uk/

Irish Centre for High End ComputingProvides high speed computer support for higher education and research institutes. J Desplat7th Floor, Trinity Technology and Enterprise Campus, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2.01 [email protected]

Lab UnlimitedSupplier of laboratory instrumentation, service and validation.Michael AndersonTallaght Business Park Whitestown, Dublin 24 [email protected]

Microbiology DepartmentAnalysis of drinking water for indutry and public.Gerry DowdTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961197

Nano Imaging and Materials Analysis Centre, NIMACProviding scanning and transmission electron microscopy to academia and industry.Dr Ian ReidSchool of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/nimac

Nanovation LaboratoriesProviding the resources for nano scale developments.University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

National Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria Reference Laboratory, NSSLRLTesting and surveillance of infectious micro-organisms.University Hospital Galway. 021 544628

National Virus Reference LaboratoryHas been incorporated, with Medical Microbiology, into the Centre for Research into Infectious Diseases, CRID, at UCD. The Virus Reference Laboratory carries out over 500,000 tests on viruses every year.Director Prof William HallUniversity College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/nvrl

Next Generation Networks Test CentreGiving technology providers access to test, trial and validation ffacilities before market launch.Waterford Institute of

Technology 051 [email protected]

P J Boner & Co Ltd.Supply and calibration of temperature, humidity, pH, conductivity,flow, weighing and other instrumentation.Managing Director Patrick M Boner35 Western Parkway Business Centre, Ballymount Drive, Dublin 12. 01 [email protected]

Particular ScienceFounded in 1989 to provide industry with support in characterisation of materials.Managing Director Sean Quilty2 Birch House, Rosement House, Rose mount Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 11.01 [email protected]

PEMA LimitedPEMA provides a closed loop solution for test, measurement, communications, automation

Product Development PyramidFastest most cost effective prototype Unique to Beta LAYOUT Ltd

Front panel manufacture3 - 8 day turnaroundCosts from €70

PCB manufacture1 - 8 day turnaroundCosts from €48

Completed Prototypefor Demonstration11 - 18 day turnaroundCosts from €300

PCB Assembly10 days turnaroundCosts from €150

3 D Prototyping8 day turnaroundCosts from €30

Prototypes Made EasyThe two most precious resources of any design are time and money. Designers spend valuable time sourcing parts and chasing suppliers during the prototyping stage. Beta LAYOUT offers the unique proposition of all prototyping under one roof with fast turnaround at a reasonable cost.

Over 25,000 researchers and designers worldwide use Beta Layout Prototyping services such as —CERN, Tyndall Institute, Metropolitan Police London, Cavendish Lab, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, TCD, WIT, Tallaght IT, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, University of Manchester, Harvard University

Our Prototype Portfolio includes:Prototype PCBs (including Aluminium)Prototype PCB AssemblyPrototype Front PanelsPrototype 3 D Models

Each product or service can be priced and ordered online. The online quote system is easy to use and will generate a quote immediately

[email protected] www.beta-layout.com Tel: + 353 61 701170

DESIGNED BY YOU

SUPP

ORT

S


SERVICES AND SUPPORTSA selection of organisations providing essential services, supplies and supports

Agricultural Research Centre, TeagascTesting of cereals and food products.Laboratory Head, Dr James Burke.Teagasc, Oak Park. Co Carlow. 059 [email protected]

Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science DivisionTesting and monitoring of foods and environment. Operating under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.Head of Division Dr Sydney NeillNewforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX [email protected]

Air Quality Technology CentreSound levels, air particle measurement.Department of Physics, NUI Galway, Galway. 091 [email protected],nuigalway.ie

Analytical Services and Environmental Projects Unit, ASEPProviding analytical services to industry.Queen’s University, School of Chemistry, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT95AG, Northern [email protected]/facilities/asep.html

Athlone Regional Veterinary LaboratoryTesting and monitoring of pathogens, properties and residues. Operates under the Department of Agriculture and Food.Research Officer John FaganCoosan, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 01 [email protected]

Atlantia FoodCROA spin out company from APC providing functional food companies with clinical trial validation service.Business Development Barry SkillingtonWestern Gateway University College Cork 086 [email protected]

ATTLAS, Access to Third Level Analytical ServicesInformation about analytical services available to industry from Higher Education Institutes in Ireland is available from a website. The site is hosted by the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster at the Uliversity of Limerick.061 [email protected]

Belfast Public Analyst’s LaboratoryOperating as an authorised laboratory and carrying out tests on food, radiation, contaminants and tracing geographical origins.Public Analyst Ron EnnionEurofins Laboratories (NI) Ltd., 4th Floor, 16 Donegall Square South, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT15JJ [email protected]

Beta LayoutPrototyping service for institutes and industry. Prototypes are produced in a variety of materials from design.Beta Layout, Shannon Free Zone, Co Clare.061 [email protected]

Bioserv LtdMechanical, chemical and biological testing.Dr Paul Tomkins.Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 090 [email protected]/bioserv

Bord Iascaigh MharaMicrobiological testing.Dr Carol RaffertyPO Box 12, Croften Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 [email protected]

Carl Stuart LtdCalibration of environmental test instrumentation.Tallaght Business Park, Dublin 24.John O’Sullivan01 [email protected]

Central Veterinary Research LaboratoryTesting and monitoring of pathogens, properties and residues. Operating under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.John FerrisYoung’s Cross, Celbridge, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

Centre for Surface and Interface Analysis, CSIAConducts contract R&D and provides surface analysis on contract.Dr Liam McDonn ellCork Institute of Technology [email protected]

City Analysts LtdOperating two analytical labs, one in Dublin and one in Limerick. Providing chemical and microbiological analysis and maintaining links with academia.Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4. [email protected]

Cork Public Analyst’s LaboratoryFood, water and effluent analysis.Dr Fred DavidsonHSE, Southern Area, St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork 021 [email protected]

Feedingstuff Microscopy LaboratoryOne of the test laboratories operated under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.01 [email protected]

Flow ManagementCalibration of fuel dispensing pumps and additive systems.6 Turnpike Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 22.Contact: Ned Hogan01 [email protected]

Forensic Science LaboratoryConducts forensic tests in support of crime detection and law enforement. The facilities are not available to the general public, but are there to support police, customs and other state agencies.Director Dr Sheila WillisPhoenix Park, Dublin 8 01 [email protected]


SUPPO

RTS

International Research Centre for Experimental Physics, IRCEP Providing research students with state-of-the art facilities to develop new technologies.Queen’s University Belfast.http://www.ircep.qub.ac.uk/

Irish Centre for High End ComputingProvides high speed computer support for higher education and research institutes. J Desplat7th Floor, Trinity Technology and Enterprise Campus, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2.01 [email protected]

Lab UnlimitedSupplier of laboratory instrumentation, service and validation.Michael AndersonTallaght Business Park Whitestown, Dublin 24 [email protected]

Microbiology DepartmentAnalysis of drinking water for indutry and public.Gerry DowdTrinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. 01 8961197

Nano Imaging and Materials Analysis Centre, NIMACProviding scanning and transmission electron microscopy to academia and industry.Dr Ian ReidSchool of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/nimac

Nanovation LaboratoriesProviding the resources for nano scale developments.University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

National Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria Reference Laboratory, NSSLRLTesting and surveillance of infectious micro-organisms.University Hospital Galway. 021 544628

National Virus Reference LaboratoryHas been incorporated, with Medical Microbiology, into the Centre for Research into Infectious Diseases, CRID, at UCD. The Virus Reference Laboratory carries out over 500,000 tests on viruses every year.Director Prof William HallUniversity College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]/nvrl

Next Generation Networks Test CentreGiving technology providers access to test, trial and validation ffacilities before market launch.Waterford Institute of

Technology 051 [email protected]

P J Boner & Co Ltd.Supply and calibration of temperature, humidity, pH, conductivity,flow, weighing and other instrumentation.Managing Director Patrick M Boner35 Western Parkway Business Centre, Ballymount Drive, Dublin 12. 01 [email protected]

Particular ScienceFounded in 1989 to provide industry with support in characterisation of materials.Managing Director Sean Quilty2 Birch House, Rosement House, Rose mount Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 11.01 [email protected]

PEMA LimitedPEMA provides a closed loop solution for test, measurement, communications, automation

Product Development PyramidFastest most cost effective prototype Unique to Beta LAYOUT Ltd

Front panel manufacture3 - 8 day turnaroundCosts from €70

PCB manufacture1 - 8 day turnaroundCosts from €48

Completed Prototypefor Demonstration11 - 18 day turnaroundCosts from €300

PCB Assembly10 days turnaroundCosts from €150

3 D Prototyping8 day turnaroundCosts from €30

Prototypes Made EasyThe two most precious resources of any design are time and money. Designers spend valuable time sourcing parts and chasing suppliers during the prototyping stage. Beta LAYOUT offers the unique proposition of all prototyping under one roof with fast turnaround at a reasonable cost.

Over 25,000 researchers and designers worldwide use Beta Layout Prototyping services such as —CERN, Tyndall Institute, Metropolitan Police London, Cavendish Lab, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, TCD, WIT, Tallaght IT, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, University of Manchester, Harvard University

Our Prototype Portfolio includes:Prototype PCBs (including Aluminium)Prototype PCB AssemblyPrototype Front PanelsPrototype 3 D Models

Each product or service can be priced and ordered online. The online quote system is easy to use and will generate a quote immediately

[email protected] www.beta-layout.com Tel: + 353 61 701170

DESIGNED BY YOU

SUPP

ORT

S


What is SciFest?SciFest is a series of one-day science fairs open to all second-level students. SciFest science fairs take place throughout the year at local (SciFest@School), regional (SciFest@College) and national level (SciFest@Intel).

4290 second-level students exhibited 1864 projects in SciFest 2012

Aim of SciFestThe aim of SciFest is to encourage a love of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and to provide a forum for second-level students at local/regional level to present and display their scientific investigations.

Why participate in SciFest?Participation in SciFest encourages students to:l develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, STEM l learn while pursuing an aspect of the subject in which they have a particular interestl develop the skills sets that are required to address future global concerns of food, water and energy security, to create wealth to sustain growth and to provide better health services and better infrastructure l grow their STEM skills and abilities by exhibiting in a small student-friendly environment Scifest also:l provides resources for teachers and students (e.g. Science by Inquiry Transition Year Module) which may be downloaded from the SciFest websitel is a good preparation for Coursework B in the Junior Certificate science examination, or a SciFest investigation itself (once it meets the specified criteria) can actually be submitted as a Coursework B investigationl is open to all second-level students and there is no entry fee; SciFest science fairs are all locally based affording the participants a sense of community and a feeling of ownership

The three levels of SciFest participation

1. SciFest@School Second-level schools host their own in-house SciFest science fair. Support for the event is provided by SciFest along with resources and BKMs on the SciFest website.

2. SciFest@College Fourteen ITs and the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry host one-day SciFest science fairs which

are open to all second-level students. Each fair includes a project exhibition and competition, a science talk, hands-on activities in the IT laboratories, careers advice and a prize-giving ceremony.

3. SciFest@Intel The Intel Best Project Award winners at each SciFest@College event

are invited to exhibit at a SciFest science fair for finalists held in Intel in October. The projects are evaluated by an expert panel of judges from academia, enterprise and government. The top project winners receive an all-expenses paid trip along with their teacher to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which is held annually in May in the USA.

Ruairi O’Neill and Eoghan Flynn, Blackwater Community School, Lismore, Co. Waterford, were overall winners of SciFest@Intel 2011. Their project, entitled ‘Polyfuel: A Novel Solution to Fuel Shortages and Disposal of ELPs’ was awarded second place in the Environmental Management Category ($1500) of the Intel ISEF in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 2012

The SciFest Project PartnersSciFest is jointly funded by Intel Ireland and the Discover Science and Engineering Programme as project partners. There are also a number of industry sponsors including Abbott, BT, PharmaChemical

Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), along with sponsors from academia, NCE-MSTL (National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning), and ESERO Ireland (European Space Education Resource Office). SciFest@College science fairs are hosted by the Institutes of Technology and the University of Ulster, Magee Campus.

Log on to www.scifest.ieFor further information please contact; Sheila Porter, SciFest Project Manager

Email: [email protected] Ph: +353 1 6068949

‘SciFest is a premier science fair in Ireland, and being involved with it over the last 5 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. SciFest has given my students the opportunity to practise good science at a local, national and international level and to meet and engage with the best young scientists from around the world! SciFest really embraces the belief that Science is for all and all students are encouraged to think big because with the right idea, the right mentorship, and the right support from people like those at their local IT/SciFest/Intel, their drive to think big can change the world. Thank you to all at SciFest, it’s been amazing.’David King, Blackwater Community School, Lismore, Co. Waterford SciFest@WIT 2011 , SciFest@Intel 2011 and SciFest@Intel ISEF 2012

SciFest - Inspiring and Promoting Excellence in STEM Education

and education instrumentation.Peter DooleyPEMA House, Dromiskin, Dundalk, Co Louth. 042 [email protected]

Plant Health LaboratoryEstablished in 2007 and operating under the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine.01 [email protected]

Programme for Experimental Atmosphere and Climate, PéacFacility for study of plants in controlled climate, enabling researchers to model past or predicted climates.UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, Belfield, Dublin 4.

Public Health Laboratory, HSE DMLNational verocytoxin E coli diagnostic and molecular typing service for public health. Microbiological testing and analysis of human clinical sam;es, food, water and enteric pathogens. Official designated testing laboratory under EC Official Control of Foodstuffs regulations 2012.Consultant Microbiologist and Director Dr Eleanor McNamaraCherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. 01 [email protected]

Rototherm Ltd.Supply, installation, calibration and repair of thermometers, pressure gauges, data loggers and humidy meters. Temperature mapping for processing industries.Maria KenaneyUnit C2 Clonlara Avenue, Baldonnell Business Park, Naas Road, Dublin 22. 01 [email protected]

Shannon Aquatic Toxicity LaboratoryEco-toxicological testing, marine and freshwater surveys — biological, water sampling, sediment sampling.Robert HernanEnterprise Ireland Shannon Town Centre, Shannon, Co Clare. 061 [email protected]

Test and Trial IrelandProviding access to radio spectrum to conduct tests and trials in communications. Commission for Communications Regulations in Ireland Block DEF Abbey Court, Irish Life Centtre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.01 [email protected]

US-Ireland R&D PartnershipLaunched in 2006 to promote collaborative research projects. Seven partnerships have been established with joint funding. InterTradeIreland provides administrative support. Dr Bernadette McGahon028 30834100

Vilicom LimitedMeasurement of radion frequency emissions Sean Keating14 Joyce Way, Park West, Dublin 12. 01 [email protected]

The Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST) is a DIT designated research centre based in the Focas Research Institute that

successfully provides the link between research and product generation. As the only dedicated surface coatings laboratory in Ireland, it serves the SMART economy by translating scientific knowledge from the bench-top to the market. The CREST model relies on an expert and professional consultancy service to front-face its commercial surface coating activity and engages with up to one hundred companies in any one year with over 600 industrial engagements to date. CREST works with a wide range of companies from SMEs to multinationals with an expertise in surface treatment and material characterisation that comply with the requirements of international standards (ISO, BS, EN and ASTM). Capabilities range from technical inspection, specification, fit-for-purpose validation, corrosion & hygiene control to the development of novel surface coating solutions for diverse industries. Analysis areas include: accelerated exposure (durability/weathering), physical analysis (hardness, impact, adhesion, scratch), paint application, dispersion and cure. Other facilities include microscopy

(FESEM, AFM), spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, GC MS), material characterisation (XRD, DSC , TGA) and a plasma treatment system.In addition to its consultancy service, CREST engages in collaborative innovative projects with a range of industries in Ireland and throughout Europe, successfully securing funding from agencies including Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). To date, CREST has secured over €6M funding with over €1m directly from industry since 2003. EI’s Innovation Partnership Scheme is an example of a funding opportunity available for Irish companies with a commitment to develop an innovative technology. It offers up to 80% of the research costs

allowing a company to engage in R&D through a third level institute, while having control of the project scope. Ownership of intellectual property is negotiated at the outset under the direction

of DIT’s technology transfer office, Hothouse. In 2011, CREST engaged with 10 companies through Innovation Partnerships and accounted for 10% of the national total of all third level commercial licenses and assignments to industry.

Contact: Dr. Yvonne Cadogan t: +353(0)1 4027945, e: [email protected]: www.crestdit.com

The Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology

What is SciFest?SciFest is a series of one-day science fairs open to all second-level students. SciFest science fairs take place throughout the year at local (SciFest@School), regional (SciFest@College) and national level (SciFest@Intel).

4290 second-level students exhibited 1864 projects in SciFest 2012

Aim of SciFestThe aim of SciFest is to encourage a love of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and to provide a forum for second-level students at local/regional level to present and display their scientific investigations.

Why participate in SciFest?Participation in SciFest encourages students to:l develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, STEM l learn while pursuing an aspect of the subject in which they have a particular interestl develop the skills sets that are required to address future global concerns of food, water and energy security, to create wealth to sustain growth and to provide better health services and better infrastructure l grow their STEM skills and abilities by exhibiting in a small student-friendly environment Scifest also:l provides resources for teachers and students (e.g. Science by Inquiry Transition Year Module) which may be downloaded from the SciFest websitel is a good preparation for Coursework B in the Junior Certificate science examination, or a SciFest investigation itself (once it meets the specified criteria) can actually be submitted as a Coursework B investigationl is open to all second-level students and there is no entry fee; SciFest science fairs are all locally based affording the participants a sense of community and a feeling of ownership

The three levels of SciFest participation

1. SciFest@School Second-level schools host their own in-house SciFest science fair. Support for the event is provided by SciFest along with resources and BKMs on the SciFest website.

2. SciFest@College Fourteen ITs and the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry host one-day SciFest science fairs which

are open to all second-level students. Each fair includes a project exhibition and competition, a science talk, hands-on activities in the IT laboratories, careers advice and a prize-giving ceremony.

3. SciFest@Intel The Intel Best Project Award winners at each SciFest@College event

are invited to exhibit at a SciFest science fair for finalists held in Intel in October. The projects are evaluated by an expert panel of judges from academia, enterprise and government. The top project winners receive an all-expenses paid trip along with their teacher to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which is held annually in May in the USA.

Ruairi O’Neill and Eoghan Flynn, Blackwater Community School, Lismore, Co. Waterford, were overall winners of SciFest@Intel 2011. Their project, entitled ‘Polyfuel: A Novel Solution to Fuel Shortages and Disposal of ELPs’ was awarded second place in the Environmental Management Category ($1500) of the Intel ISEF in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 2012

The SciFest Project PartnersSciFest is jointly funded by Intel Ireland and the Discover Science and Engineering Programme as project partners. There are also a number of industry sponsors including Abbott, BT, PharmaChemical

Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), along with sponsors from academia, NCE-MSTL (National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning), and ESERO Ireland (European Space Education Resource Office). SciFest@College science fairs are hosted by the Institutes of Technology and the University of Ulster, Magee Campus.

Log on to www.scifest.ieFor further information please contact; Sheila Porter, SciFest Project Manager

Email: [email protected] Ph: +353 1 6068949

‘SciFest is a premier science fair in Ireland, and being involved with it over the last 5 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. SciFest has given my students the opportunity to practise good science at a local, national and international level and to meet and engage with the best young scientists from around the world! SciFest really embraces the belief that Science is for all and all students are encouraged to think big because with the right idea, the right mentorship, and the right support from people like those at their local IT/SciFest/Intel, their drive to think big can change the world. Thank you to all at SciFest, it’s been amazing.’David King, Blackwater Community School, Lismore, Co. Waterford SciFest@WIT 2011 , SciFest@Intel 2011 and SciFest@Intel ISEF 2012

SciFest - Inspiring and Promoting Excellence in STEM Education

and education instrumentation.Peter DooleyPEMA House, Dromiskin, Dundalk, Co Louth. 042 [email protected]

Plant Health LaboratoryEstablished in 2007 and operating under the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine.01 [email protected]

Programme for Experimental Atmosphere and Climate, PéacFacility for study of plants in controlled climate, enabling researchers to model past or predicted climates.UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, Belfield, Dublin 4.

Public Health Laboratory, HSE DMLNational verocytoxin E coli diagnostic and molecular typing service for public health. Microbiological testing and analysis of human clinical sam;es, food, water and enteric pathogens. Official designated testing laboratory under EC Official Control of Foodstuffs regulations 2012.Consultant Microbiologist and Director Dr Eleanor McNamaraCherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. 01 [email protected]

Rototherm Ltd.Supply, installation, calibration and repair of thermometers, pressure gauges, data loggers and humidy meters. Temperature mapping for processing industries.Maria KenaneyUnit C2 Clonlara Avenue, Baldonnell Business Park, Naas Road, Dublin 22. 01 [email protected]

Shannon Aquatic Toxicity LaboratoryEco-toxicological testing, marine and freshwater surveys — biological, water sampling, sediment sampling.Robert HernanEnterprise Ireland Shannon Town Centre, Shannon, Co Clare. 061 [email protected]

Test and Trial IrelandProviding access to radio spectrum to conduct tests and trials in communications. Commission for Communications Regulations in Ireland Block DEF Abbey Court, Irish Life Centtre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.01 [email protected]

US-Ireland R&D PartnershipLaunched in 2006 to promote collaborative research projects. Seven partnerships have been established with joint funding. InterTradeIreland provides administrative support. Dr Bernadette McGahon028 30834100

Vilicom LimitedMeasurement of radion frequency emissions Sean Keating14 Joyce Way, Park West, Dublin 12. 01 [email protected]

The Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST) is a DIT designated research centre based in the Focas Research Institute that

successfully provides the link between research and product generation. As the only dedicated surface coatings laboratory in Ireland, it serves the SMART economy by translating scientific knowledge from the bench-top to the market. The CREST model relies on an expert and professional consultancy service to front-face its commercial surface coating activity and engages with up to one hundred companies in any one year with over 600 industrial engagements to date. CREST works with a wide range of companies from SMEs to multinationals with an expertise in surface treatment and material characterisation that comply with the requirements of international standards (ISO, BS, EN and ASTM). Capabilities range from technical inspection, specification, fit-for-purpose validation, corrosion & hygiene control to the development of novel surface coating solutions for diverse industries. Analysis areas include: accelerated exposure (durability/weathering), physical analysis (hardness, impact, adhesion, scratch), paint application, dispersion and cure. Other facilities include microscopy

(FESEM, AFM), spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, GC MS), material characterisation (XRD, DSC , TGA) and a plasma treatment system.In addition to its consultancy service, CREST engages in collaborative innovative projects with a range of industries in Ireland and throughout Europe, successfully securing funding from agencies including Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). To date, CREST has secured over €6M funding with over €1m directly from industry since 2003. EI’s Innovation Partnership Scheme is an example of a funding opportunity available for Irish companies with a commitment to develop an innovative technology. It offers up to 80% of the research costs

allowing a company to engage in R&D through a third level institute, while having control of the project scope. Ownership of intellectual property is negotiated at the outset under the direction

of DIT’s technology transfer office, Hothouse. In 2011, CREST engaged with 10 companies through Innovation Partnerships and accounted for 10% of the national total of all third level commercial licenses and assignments to industry.

Contact: Dr. Yvonne Cadogan t: +353(0)1 4027945, e: [email protected]: www.crestdit.com

The Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology

Anyone 4 ScienceBringing curriculum related science to schools, organising tours, camps, parties and workshops. The aim is to provide a stimulating environment where children discover that learning is fun. Ashford, Co Wicklow. Christine Cambell 0404 40563087 [email protected]

BioInnovate IrelandProviding a fellowship programme on medical device innovation. Based at NUI Galway and run in partnership with UL, DCU, RCSI and UCC.Clodagh Barry091 [email protected]

BT Young Scientist and Technology ExhibitionThousands of school students enter projects in this annual competition, one of the most successful of its kind in the world. Over the years many of the award winners have gone on to become distinguished scientists. The next exhibition will be at the RDS from 9th to 12th January 2013.Freephone 1800 924362 or from NI 0800 9171297

CALMASTEstablished in 2003 to promote science and engineering through educational activities, publications and events. Based at Waterford Institute of Technology.Shiela Donegan, Eoin GillWaterford Institute of Technology, Waterford. [email protected]

Centre for the Advancement of Science Teachng, CASTeLMultidisciplinary research team involving scientists, mathematicians and educationalists from DCU and St Patrick’s College. The focus is on science and mathematics.Director Dr Eilish McLoughlinDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, CDVECCDVEC is the local education authority for Dublin. CDVEC has 22 schools and colleges offering second level, further education and adult education programmes and services. Courses are also given through more than a hundred centres throughout Dublin.Town Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Development Education and Research Network, DERNCluster of people involved in education and outreach at NUI Galway working to enhance sharing of knowledge.National Univdersity of Ireland Galway Galway. 091 [email protected]

Discover Science and EngineeringDiscover Science & Engineering (DSE), managed by Science Foundation Ireland, aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students, teachers and members

SCIENCE EDUCATIONA selection of centres and organisations involved in education

of the public. Programmes promoting STEM subjects include My Science Career, Discover Primary Science and Maths, Science Week, Greenwave, and Discover Sensors.Science Foundation Ireland, Wilton Tce, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Dublin Institute for Advanced StudiesThe Institute runs an outreach programme to demonstrate seismology in action for schools Tom Blake10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4 01 6140100

ENFOThe former environmental information centre at Andrew’s Street in Dublin is now an online service hosted by the Library Board. providing a range of content resources.www.enfo.ie

Galway Science and Technology FestivalThis two week Festival culminates with a family day exhibition at NUIGalway, which attracted c.24,000 people in 2011. This free festival aims to nurture an interest in science and technology from a young age and encourage students to choose STEM subjects at third level.Marketing and Administration Anne Casserly 086 [email protected]

Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association, IASTAAn organisation for teachers of agricultural science providing resources and support for members. Veronica Walsh

Athlone Education Centre. Athlone, Co Westmeath. [email protected]

Irish Science Teachers’ AssociationAn association of over 1,000 science teachers in Ireland.Vice Chair Mary [email protected]

Public Awareness and Understanding of SciencePublic lectures by distinguished scientists and a selection of video presentations on the web site. Prof William RevilleFaculty of Science, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Regenerative Medicine InstituteAn annual debating science science issues competition encourages school students to examine cultural and ethical issues in biomedical science.NUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSIFounded in 1784 to train surgeons, the college provides education for healthcare professionals and is the largest medical school in Ireland. RCSI is also an active centre for basic and clinical research.Communicvations Manager Niamh Burdett123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Science Foundation IrelandThrough the Speakers for Schools programme, SFI funded researchers are encouraged to visit schools to take about their


EDU

CATION

work and careers. Wilton House. Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Science on StageA European-wide initiative encouraging teachers to present science in an engaging way. Hundeds of teachers from around Europe, including Ireland, submit entries for the Science on Stage Festival. The next one will be in Slubice, Germany, in April 2012.Chair Dr Eilish McLoughlinCASTeL School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin [email protected]

ScoilnetA portal run by the National Centre for Technology in Education at DCU for the Department of Education and Skills to provide a range of digital resources for use in learning and in the classroom. Department of Education and Skills www.scoilnet.ie

SciFestSchool students enter science projects for display at one-day science fairs held at different third level colleges. The competition, with prizes for winning entries, has grown rapidly since the launch at IT Tallaght in 2007. National Coordinator Shiela PorterIR2-1-T22, Intel Ireland, Leixlip, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

SentinusAn organisation promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Northern Ireland schools. School pupils learn about career possibilities through collaboration with industries 19 Ballinderry Road, Libsurn, Northern Ireland. BT28 2SA 028 [email protected]

STEPSA programme run by Engineers Ireland in partnership with Discover Science and Engineering to encourage young people to explore science, engineering and mathematics.Engineers Ireland 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.01 [email protected]

W5Interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and other science activities Spread over four large areas centre. A team of W5 demonstrators deliver work on outreach for schools.The Odyssy, 2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast. BT3 9QQ028 90467700www.w5online.co.uk

EDU

CATI

ON

Fun, Hands-on, Educational, Science,Engineering & Maths

School Visits, Camps, Workshops,After School Clubs, Parties

www.anyone4science.com [email protected] 087-6749608

Supported by The Royal Society of Chemistry

St Vincent’s FairviewHidden away in an area with lots of historical associations, St Vincent’s Hospital in Fairview has an fascinating history. Aidan Collins tells how so many colourful figures, such as

the Sham Squire, Grose the antiquarian, and James Joyce all have close connections to St Vincents, and the hospital itself began with a scandal, so shameful that for years the truth was suppressed.

Available, paperback €25 or hardback €35Postfree from www.sciencespin.com

The ExemptionAn amazing story of survival through some of the darkest years of Europe’s recent history. Vera Hajnal tells of how invasion soon shattered an idyllic childhood. Growing up in a secure and loving family, going to school and sometimes being allowed help her father, a doctor, Vera’s first shock came when, accompanying her grandmother to the railway station, she was stopped by men wearing armbands who asked: “Are you Jewish?” Vera describes how she survived the years that followed, and amazingly, her account has no trace of bitterness and throughout it all she never lost faith in the underlying goodness of people. Her own survival, as people were being literally rounded up and shot by paramilitary thugs, was remarkable in that on being contronted on the street she happened to be carrying a piece of paper exempting her father from military service.

Hardback €25Post free from www.sciencespin.com



Anyone 4 ScienceBringing curriculum related science to schools, organising tours, camps, parties and workshops. The aim is to provide a stimulating environment where children discover that learning is fun. Ashford, Co Wicklow. Christine Cambell 0404 40563087 [email protected]

BioInnovate IrelandProviding a fellowship programme on medical device innovation. Based at NUI Galway and run in partnership with UL, DCU, RCSI and UCC.Clodagh Barry091 [email protected]

BT Young Scientist and Technology ExhibitionThousands of school students enter projects in this annual competition, one of the most successful of its kind in the world. Over the years many of the award winners have gone on to become distinguished scientists. The next exhibition will be at the RDS from 9th to 12th January 2013.Freephone 1800 924362 or from NI 0800 9171297

CALMASTEstablished in 2003 to promote science and engineering through educational activities, publications and events. Based at Waterford Institute of Technology.Shiela Donegan, Eoin GillWaterford Institute of Technology, Waterford. [email protected]

Centre for the Advancement of Science Teachng, CASTeLMultidisciplinary research team involving scientists, mathematicians and educationalists from DCU and St Patrick’s College. The focus is on science and mathematics.Director Dr Eilish McLoughlinDublin City University, Dublin 9. 01 [email protected]

City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, CDVECCDVEC is the local education authority for Dublin. CDVEC has 22 schools and colleges offering second level, further education and adult education programmes and services. Courses are also given through more than a hundred centres throughout Dublin.Town Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. 01 [email protected]

Development Education and Research Network, DERNCluster of people involved in education and outreach at NUI Galway working to enhance sharing of knowledge.National Univdersity of Ireland Galway Galway. 091 [email protected]

Discover Science and EngineeringDiscover Science & Engineering (DSE), managed by Science Foundation Ireland, aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students, teachers and members

SCIENCE EDUCATIONA selection of centres and organisations involved in education

of the public. Programmes promoting STEM subjects include My Science Career, Discover Primary Science and Maths, Science Week, Greenwave, and Discover Sensors.Science Foundation Ireland, Wilton Tce, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Dublin Institute for Advanced StudiesThe Institute runs an outreach programme to demonstrate seismology in action for schools Tom Blake10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4 01 6140100

ENFOThe former environmental information centre at Andrew’s Street in Dublin is now an online service hosted by the Library Board. providing a range of content resources.www.enfo.ie

Galway Science and Technology FestivalThis two week Festival culminates with a family day exhibition at NUIGalway, which attracted c.24,000 people in 2011. This free festival aims to nurture an interest in science and technology from a young age and encourage students to choose STEM subjects at third level.Marketing and Administration Anne Casserly 086 [email protected]

Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association, IASTAAn organisation for teachers of agricultural science providing resources and support for members. Veronica Walsh

Athlone Education Centre. Athlone, Co Westmeath. [email protected]

Irish Science Teachers’ AssociationAn association of over 1,000 science teachers in Ireland.Vice Chair Mary [email protected]

Public Awareness and Understanding of SciencePublic lectures by distinguished scientists and a selection of video presentations on the web site. Prof William RevilleFaculty of Science, University College Cork. 021 [email protected]

Regenerative Medicine InstituteAn annual debating science science issues competition encourages school students to examine cultural and ethical issues in biomedical science.NUI Galway 091 [email protected]

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSIFounded in 1784 to train surgeons, the college provides education for healthcare professionals and is the largest medical school in Ireland. RCSI is also an active centre for basic and clinical research.Communicvations Manager Niamh Burdett123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Science Foundation IrelandThrough the Speakers for Schools programme, SFI funded researchers are encouraged to visit schools to take about their


EDU

CATION

work and careers. Wilton House. Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

Science on StageA European-wide initiative encouraging teachers to present science in an engaging way. Hundeds of teachers from around Europe, including Ireland, submit entries for the Science on Stage Festival. The next one will be in Slubice, Germany, in April 2012.Chair Dr Eilish McLoughlinCASTeL School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin [email protected]

ScoilnetA portal run by the National Centre for Technology in Education at DCU for the Department of Education and Skills to provide a range of digital resources for use in learning and in the classroom. Department of Education and Skills www.scoilnet.ie

SciFestSchool students enter science projects for display at one-day science fairs held at different third level colleges. The competition, with prizes for winning entries, has grown rapidly since the launch at IT Tallaght in 2007. National Coordinator Shiela PorterIR2-1-T22, Intel Ireland, Leixlip, Co Kildare. 01 [email protected]

SentinusAn organisation promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Northern Ireland schools. School pupils learn about career possibilities through collaboration with industries 19 Ballinderry Road, Libsurn, Northern Ireland. BT28 2SA 028 [email protected]

STEPSA programme run by Engineers Ireland in partnership with Discover Science and Engineering to encourage young people to explore science, engineering and mathematics.Engineers Ireland 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.01 [email protected]

W5Interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and other science activities Spread over four large areas centre. A team of W5 demonstrators deliver work on outreach for schools.The Odyssy, 2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast. BT3 9QQ028 90467700www.w5online.co.uk

EDU

CATI

ON

Fun, Hands-on, Educational, Science,Engineering & Maths

School Visits, Camps, Workshops,After School Clubs, Parties

www.anyone4science.com [email protected] 087-6749608

Supported by The Royal Society of Chemistry

St Vincent’s FairviewHidden away in an area with lots of historical associations, St Vincent’s Hospital in Fairview has an fascinating history. Aidan Collins tells how so many colourful figures, such as

the Sham Squire, Grose the antiquarian, and James Joyce all have close connections to St Vincents, and the hospital itself began with a scandal, so shameful that for years the truth was suppressed.

Available, paperback €25 or hardback €35Postfree from www.sciencespin.com

The ExemptionAn amazing story of survival through some of the darkest years of Europe’s recent history. Vera Hajnal tells of how invasion soon shattered an idyllic childhood. Growing up in a secure and loving family, going to school and sometimes being allowed help her father, a doctor, Vera’s first shock came when, accompanying her grandmother to the railway station, she was stopped by men wearing armbands who asked: “Are you Jewish?” Vera describes how she survived the years that followed, and amazingly, her account has no trace of bitterness and throughout it all she never lost faith in the underlying goodness of people. Her own survival, as people were being literally rounded up and shot by paramilitary thugs, was remarkable in that on being contronted on the street she happened to be carrying a piece of paper exempting her father from military service.

Hardback €25Post free from www.sciencespin.com



LETTERKENNY IT QUEEN’S BELFAST

DUNDALK IT

TCD, UCD, DCU,DIT, RCSI, IT Blanchardstown, IT TallaghtRCSI

CARLOW IT

WATERFORD IT

UCCTYNDALL CORK IT

TRALEE IT

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICKLIMERICK IT

NUI GALWAYGMIT

GMIT CASTLEBAR

SLIGO IT

NUI MAYNOOTH

UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

ATHLONE IT

CSETSCentres for Science Engineering and Technology

CorkAlimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, UCC

GalwayDigital Enterprise Research Institute, NUI Galway

DublinCentre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructure and Nanodevices, TCDCentre for Telecommunications Research, TCDBiomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCUNext Generation Localisation, DCUSystems Biology Ireland, UCDClarity, UCD

LimerickIrish Software Engineering Research Centre, UL

Strategic Research ClustersCorkEfficient Embedded Digital Signal Processing for Mobile Digital Health, UCCInformation and Communication Technology for Sustainable and Optimised Building Operation, UCCPhotonics, TyndallFunctional Oxides and Related Materials for Electronics, Tyndall

LimerickSolid State Pharmaceuticals Cluster, UL

GalwayNetwork of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, NUI GalwayAlimentary Glycoscience Research Cluster, NUI GalwayRegenerative Medicine Institute, NUI Galway

MaynoothStrategic Research in Advanced Geotechnologies, NUIM

WaterfordFederated Autonomic Management of End-to-end Communication Services

DublinReproductive Biology Research Cluster, UCDAdvanced Biomimetics for Solar Energy Conversion, UCDBioNanointeract, UCDIrish Drug Delivery Research Network, UCDClique, UCDFinancial Mathematics Computation Cluster, UCDImmunology Research Centre, TCDIrish Separation Science Cluster, DCUMolecular Therapeutics for Cancer Ireland, DCUPrecision, DCU

Distribution of universities, insitutes of technology, CSETS and Strategic Research Clusters

We are an active department with friendly staff in Ireland’s university town Maynooth, and provide an informal

and welcoming atmosphere to our students. Our four year undergraduate degrees follow a broad and exciting curriculum, including a comprehensive range of courses and laboratories in experimental physics, astrophysics, and physics education. Research groups in the department are active in experimental fluid dynamics, molecular and cluster physics, upper atmospheric physics, far-infrared astronomy, cosmic microwave background cosmology, terahertz optics and biomedical imaging. We collaborate with many research groups abroad. The department has participated in many successful international space missions such as Giotto, Rosetta, Mars Express, the Herschel Space Observatory, and the Planck satellite. The following paragraphs give brief synopses of each of our research areas.

Astrophysics and cosmologyAstronomical observations made at far-infrared wavelengths allow us to study conditions in the early universe and answer questions about the formation and evolution of planets, stars, and galaxies. Our department specialises in optical receiver design for far-infrared telescopes, including the Herschel Space Observatory (HIFI instrument) and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). We are also involved in the design and verification of instruments used in projects to observe the cosmic microwave background, including the QUaD and Qubic projects located in Antarctica, and the Planck space satellite.

Terahertz optics and computingDevelopment of new quasi-optical devices and strategies is important for new generations of specialised space telescopes and atmospheric monitoring satellites, observing at terahertz frequencies (far-infrared wavelengths). At NUI Maynooth we have developed design and analysis software tools for undertaking this work, including MODAL for modeling quasi-optical propagation in long wavelength optical systems, and SCATTER that has allowed us to model microwave structures such as horn antennas, waveguides and detector cavities. High performance computing is used for the design and modelling of optics in the terahertz band, which has applications in

Experimental Physics and Astronomy Research at NUI Maynooth

astronomy, security, and medicine. We also work on the design and development of terahertz imaging systems and resonant beam combining for non-invasive biomedical imaging.

Fluid dynamicsThe existence of a maximum in the density profile of water near 4˚C has a strong influence on convection and heat transfer through water and aqueous solutions at low temperatures. Changes in convection are used to detect and track this density anomaly in solutions as a function of solute nature and concentration. Unexpected behaviour has been noted in certain solutions which cannot be explained using existing models of water. In separate studies, the existence of the nonlinear density function in water and solutions has been used to develop and study a form of thermal rectifier.

Molecular physicsFragmentation of molecules and clusters caused by collisions with electrons are of interest in biophysics, atmospheric physics and many other fields. Clusters are aggregates of a few to many atoms or molecules, and have properties intermediate to the individual atom or molecule and material in the solid state. Current research focuses on fragmentation of Adenine and Thymine molecules by electron impact, which is of relevance for the understanding of radiation damage in biological organisms on the molecular scale. The group is affiliated with the Nano-IBCT network funded by the EU (Nanoscale insights into Ion Beam Cancer Therapy).

Atmospheric physicsGravity (buoyancy) waves involve vertical displacements of air parcels along slanted paths and they are found everywhere in the atmosphere. Quantifying the influence of gravity waves is essential for simulations of climate change scenarios. Part of the challenge is that these waves extend over a very broad range in time (minutes to hours) and space (tens to thousands of kilometres). A scanning radiometer has been operated at NUI Maynooth since August 2010 to measure the short-period end of the gravity wave spectrum by observing infrared emissions originating at 87 km altitude. Measurements to date have allowed us to assemble a climatology of gravity waves at our latitude.

The Planck satellite on its way to its orbit around the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system. Planck’s main objective is to measure the fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background with unprecedented accuracy. Image credit: ESA – D. Ducros.

Horns of the high-frequency instrument for the Planck satellite. The terahertz group at NUI Maynooth was involved with the design of these horns. Image credit: ESA & TK Instruments.

LETTERKENNY IT QUEEN’S BELFAST

DUNDALK IT

TCD, UCD, DCU,DIT, RCSI, IT Blanchardstown, IT TallaghtRCSI

CARLOW IT

WATERFORD IT

UCCTYNDALL CORK IT

TRALEE IT

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICKLIMERICK IT

NUI GALWAYGMIT

GMIT CASTLEBAR

SLIGO IT

NUI MAYNOOTH

UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

ATHLONE IT

CSETSCentres for Science Engineering and Technology

CorkAlimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, UCC

GalwayDigital Enterprise Research Institute, NUI Galway

DublinCentre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructure and Nanodevices, TCDCentre for Telecommunications Research, TCDBiomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCUNext Generation Localisation, DCUSystems Biology Ireland, UCDClarity, UCD

LimerickIrish Software Engineering Research Centre, UL

Strategic Research ClustersCorkEfficient Embedded Digital Signal Processing for Mobile Digital Health, UCCInformation and Communication Technology for Sustainable and Optimised Building Operation, UCCPhotonics, TyndallFunctional Oxides and Related Materials for Electronics, Tyndall

LimerickSolid State Pharmaceuticals Cluster, UL

GalwayNetwork of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, NUI GalwayAlimentary Glycoscience Research Cluster, NUI GalwayRegenerative Medicine Institute, NUI Galway

MaynoothStrategic Research in Advanced Geotechnologies, NUIM

WaterfordFederated Autonomic Management of End-to-end Communication Services

DublinReproductive Biology Research Cluster, UCDAdvanced Biomimetics for Solar Energy Conversion, UCDBioNanointeract, UCDIrish Drug Delivery Research Network, UCDClique, UCDFinancial Mathematics Computation Cluster, UCDImmunology Research Centre, TCDIrish Separation Science Cluster, DCUMolecular Therapeutics for Cancer Ireland, DCUPrecision, DCU

Distribution of universities, insitutes of technology, CSETS and Strategic Research Clusters

We are an active department with friendly staff in Ireland’s university town Maynooth, and provide an informal

and welcoming atmosphere to our students. Our four year undergraduate degrees follow a broad and exciting curriculum, including a comprehensive range of courses and laboratories in experimental physics, astrophysics, and physics education. Research groups in the department are active in experimental fluid dynamics, molecular and cluster physics, upper atmospheric physics, far-infrared astronomy, cosmic microwave background cosmology, terahertz optics and biomedical imaging. We collaborate with many research groups abroad. The department has participated in many successful international space missions such as Giotto, Rosetta, Mars Express, the Herschel Space Observatory, and the Planck satellite. The following paragraphs give brief synopses of each of our research areas.

Astrophysics and cosmologyAstronomical observations made at far-infrared wavelengths allow us to study conditions in the early universe and answer questions about the formation and evolution of planets, stars, and galaxies. Our department specialises in optical receiver design for far-infrared telescopes, including the Herschel Space Observatory (HIFI instrument) and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). We are also involved in the design and verification of instruments used in projects to observe the cosmic microwave background, including the QUaD and Qubic projects located in Antarctica, and the Planck space satellite.

Terahertz optics and computingDevelopment of new quasi-optical devices and strategies is important for new generations of specialised space telescopes and atmospheric monitoring satellites, observing at terahertz frequencies (far-infrared wavelengths). At NUI Maynooth we have developed design and analysis software tools for undertaking this work, including MODAL for modeling quasi-optical propagation in long wavelength optical systems, and SCATTER that has allowed us to model microwave structures such as horn antennas, waveguides and detector cavities. High performance computing is used for the design and modelling of optics in the terahertz band, which has applications in

Experimental Physics and Astronomy Research at NUI Maynooth

astronomy, security, and medicine. We also work on the design and development of terahertz imaging systems and resonant beam combining for non-invasive biomedical imaging.

Fluid dynamicsThe existence of a maximum in the density profile of water near 4˚C has a strong influence on convection and heat transfer through water and aqueous solutions at low temperatures. Changes in convection are used to detect and track this density anomaly in solutions as a function of solute nature and concentration. Unexpected behaviour has been noted in certain solutions which cannot be explained using existing models of water. In separate studies, the existence of the nonlinear density function in water and solutions has been used to develop and study a form of thermal rectifier.

Molecular physicsFragmentation of molecules and clusters caused by collisions with electrons are of interest in biophysics, atmospheric physics and many other fields. Clusters are aggregates of a few to many atoms or molecules, and have properties intermediate to the individual atom or molecule and material in the solid state. Current research focuses on fragmentation of Adenine and Thymine molecules by electron impact, which is of relevance for the understanding of radiation damage in biological organisms on the molecular scale. The group is affiliated with the Nano-IBCT network funded by the EU (Nanoscale insights into Ion Beam Cancer Therapy).

Atmospheric physicsGravity (buoyancy) waves involve vertical displacements of air parcels along slanted paths and they are found everywhere in the atmosphere. Quantifying the influence of gravity waves is essential for simulations of climate change scenarios. Part of the challenge is that these waves extend over a very broad range in time (minutes to hours) and space (tens to thousands of kilometres). A scanning radiometer has been operated at NUI Maynooth since August 2010 to measure the short-period end of the gravity wave spectrum by observing infrared emissions originating at 87 km altitude. Measurements to date have allowed us to assemble a climatology of gravity waves at our latitude.

The Planck satellite on its way to its orbit around the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system. Planck’s main objective is to measure the fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background with unprecedented accuracy. Image credit: ESA – D. Ducros.

Horns of the high-frequency instrument for the Planck satellite. The terahertz group at NUI Maynooth was involved with the design of these horns. Image credit: ESA & TK Instruments.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT NUI GALWAY — A SNAPSHOT

A Pulsar’s tailThe Centre for Astronomy brings together all the astronomy research and teaching in NUI Galway. The Centre was launched in January 2007. Members of the Centre carry out research in Astronomy, Astronomical Instrumentation and Computational Astrophysics. Our research topics include: Applied Imaging, Clusters and Exoplanets, Gamma-ray Astronomy, High Speed Stokes Polarimetry, Pulsars, Star Formation & Astrochemistry, Ultra-cool Stars and Virtual Observatories. As an example of the work being carried out by the Centre, NUI Galway astronomer Dr Andrew Shearer, working with colleagues in Italy, the UK and US, has discovered an unexpected X-ray bright tail coming from a pulsar - rapidly rotating neutron stars formed at the end of a massive star’s life. The tail was discovered by combining optical observations taken with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope and NASA’s Chandra X-Ray observatory. The pulsar, known as PSR J0357+32, about half a million years old and is located 1,600 light years from Earth with a tail of over four light years across. The image shows a combined optical and X-ray image of the region around the pulsar.

Why are pulsar studies important? Pulsars represent physics at its most extreme - they have have the highest density of normal matter (any denser and a black hole would form), they have the highest known magnetic fields (a thousand billion times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field), around pulsars the most energetic plasma exists and their surface gravity is over a hundred billion times greater than the Earth’s. As such, understanding the properties of pulsars gives us an insight into stellar evolution as well as improving our understanding of fundamental physics.

The chemists speakDr Leigh Jones is a Lecturer at the School of Chemistry, NUI Galway and works in the field of Inorganic Chemistry with special interest in coordination chemistry and molecular magnetism. Mr Seán Meally is a final year PhD student working with Dr Jones. Seán`s work focuses on the design and synthesis of paramagnetic pseudo metallocalix[6]arene complexes capable of acting as solid state hosts to numerous guests such as solvent molecules, counter anions and organic radicals

When I was eighteen I wanted to be…Seán: a chemistry researcher (it’s true!); Leigh: in a job I loved. Thankfully it happened!The thing I would like to see more of in chemistry is…Seán: more hands-on practical chemistry especially in the leaving certificate course. Chemistry demonstrations outside those on the syllabus are essential to get students enthusiastic about chemistry.My secret / not-so-secret talent is…

Understanding Parkinson’s diseaseOriginally a native of Carna in Connemara, Dr. Eilís Dowd spent twelve years pursuing her education and research interests abroad before returning to Ireland in 2005 to take up a Lectureship in Pharmacology at NUI, Galway. She completed her PhD at Edinburgh University in 1999 and this was followed by periods of postdoctoral research at Cambridge University, McGill University (Montreal) and Cardiff University. Dr. Dowd’s decision to establish her research team at NUI Galway was based on the University’s international reputation for excellence in Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology research, as well as on the establishment of research centres in Regenerative Medicine and Functional Biomaterials at the University. The co-existence of these research activities at NUI, Galway provided a thriving environment in which Dr. Dowd could pursue her research interests, namely, the development and validation of novel

Seán: reciting the entire Periodic Table from memory in less than 45 seconds.The most important thing I have learned during my PhD is…Seán: patience and perseverance. Sometimes it can take weeks (even months!) for a single crystal of a new compound to grow. This is especially true now that I am writing up the dreaded PhD thesis!

Leigh: that having an imagination is a very strong tool in synthetic research and that doing something against convention can lead to very interesting and important results. A good work day begins with…Leigh: a strong coffee while reading an email declaring that a paper has been accepted. I then go on to solve an interesting crystal structure or alternatively I am shown a beautiful structure by one of my PhD students! I chose chemistry as a career because…

Seán: it was the one subject, along with Physics, that I was ever any good at in school. It was my chemistry teacher (and his seemingly endless repertoire of knowledge) that convinced me that chemistry was the true path.Leigh: exactly the same reason as Seán`s! My teacher was such an inspiration that I deliberately went on to study Chemistry at the department she once frequented! The best motto I have ever heard is…Seán: “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today”-Benjamin Franklin.

Photo: Seán (L) and Leigh

PULSAR

UNRELATED OBJECTS LYING OUTSIDE OF THE GALAXY

A combined optical and X-ray image of the region around the pulsar PSR J0357+32

Exploring canyons in the AtlanticSince 2010, the School of Natural Sciences has been leading multidisciplinary cruises aboard RV Celtic Explorer to the canyon systems on Ireland’s Atlantic margin. These cruises support the Ireland-wide biodiscovery programme by providing specimens of deep-sea fauna from 400m depth down to 3,000m depth. They also seek to understand poorly known canyon ecosystems. Dr Louise Allcock, a zoologist at NUI Galway and chief scientist on the three cruises to date, explains the many facets of the research.

“We use the Irish deep-water ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) Holland I to explore the walls of the canyon systems throughout their lengths. Not only can the ROV record high definition video and still images, but we use its robotic arms and suction pump to collect animals from the floor and walls of the canyon. We freeze many of the specimens we collect for subsequent screening in the lab for bioactive compounds - a process which is headed-up by Margaret Rea (pictured), a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Natural Sciences. A small team of taxonomists identifies and records all the samples for the biodiscovery lab.

cannot change without disrupting their function. Antibodies work by binding, not to the whole virus, but rather to specific parts of proteins, called epitopes. Attention thus turns to the question of which epitopes are targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Researchers at NUI Galway are working as part of a large international collaboration to find these epitopes. Miguel Lacerda recently completed a PhD in Bioinformatics at the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, NUI Galway, though which he developed a probabilistic model of how the DNA sequence corresponding to HIV epitopes evolves. He applied this model to a large panel of viruses to find parts of the viral proteins where the changes in the

Models of evolution shed light on how antibodies can neutralize HIV The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to kill large numbers of people in parts of the developing world and there is still no cure or effective vaccine. When people become infected with HIV they make antibodies that can neutralize the virus. The problem is that the virus evolves rapidly to escape these antibodies. In fact, because the virus evolves so rapidly, the antibodies made by one person are ineffective against the virus from someone else. This makes it really hard to develop a vaccine. Fortunately, in some people, the situation is a little bit different. Antibodies from these individuals can neutralize viruses from across the HIV pandemic. These broadly neutralizing antibodies are the kind we would like an HIV vaccine to elicit, and their existence has given new hope that the development of an effective HIV vaccine is possible.

How do these broadly neutralizing antibodies work? One possibility is that they target parts of viral proteins that

pharmacological, cell and gene therapies for the neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease. Current therapies for this condition are severely limited as they only provide relief from disease symptoms but they can do nothing to prevent disease progression. Therefore, Dr. Dowd’s research is focused on alternative approaches that offer the possibility of slowing the course of the disease or even curing it.

Dr Louise Allcock (right) and Dr Margaret Rea onboard the RV Celtic Explorer to survey the Whittard Canyon System using the Marine Institute’s Holland 1 ROV to explore depths of 3000m. Photo by Andrew Downes, copyright Marine Institute.

Identification is a major challenge in these relatively unexplored ecosystems and we are discovering and describing new species and new community assemblages. We are also using molecular biology as a tool in understanding the evolution of these unique ecosystems. In addition, we have a team of hydrographers led by Dr Martin White and Dr Robin Raine who are exploring the dynamics of sedimentation and nutrient input throughout the canyon system.”

neutralization sensitivity of the viruses tracks the changes in the sequence of the virus. Collaborators in Johannesburg then performed mutagenesis experiments to show that these regions really are targeted by these antibodies – mutating these sites in antibody-sensitive viruses rendered them resistant. The software developed at NUI Galway for this project will shortly be hosted at the HIV database of the Los Alamos National Laboratories in the US, for use by other researchers as part of ongoing efforts to develop an effective HIV vaccine.

Structure of the HIV envelope glycoprotein. The surface is coloured according to the probability of being within a predicted antibody epitope (from blue, least likely, to red, most likely).

Dr. Eilís Dowd (front centre) and her research team. Front from left: Ms. Deidre Hoban, Dr. Eilís Dowd, Ms. Kiah McCabe. Back from left: Ms. Carol Naughton, Dr. Teresa Moloney, Mr. Brendan Gaughan, Mr. Ben Newland.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT NUI GALWAY — A SNAPSHOT

A Pulsar’s tailThe Centre for Astronomy brings together all the astronomy research and teaching in NUI Galway. The Centre was launched in January 2007. Members of the Centre carry out research in Astronomy, Astronomical Instrumentation and Computational Astrophysics. Our research topics include: Applied Imaging, Clusters and Exoplanets, Gamma-ray Astronomy, High Speed Stokes Polarimetry, Pulsars, Star Formation & Astrochemistry, Ultra-cool Stars and Virtual Observatories. As an example of the work being carried out by the Centre, NUI Galway astronomer Dr Andrew Shearer, working with colleagues in Italy, the UK and US, has discovered an unexpected X-ray bright tail coming from a pulsar - rapidly rotating neutron stars formed at the end of a massive star’s life. The tail was discovered by combining optical observations taken with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope and NASA’s Chandra X-Ray observatory. The pulsar, known as PSR J0357+32, about half a million years old and is located 1,600 light years from Earth with a tail of over four light years across. The image shows a combined optical and X-ray image of the region around the pulsar.

Why are pulsar studies important? Pulsars represent physics at its most extreme - they have have the highest density of normal matter (any denser and a black hole would form), they have the highest known magnetic fields (a thousand billion times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field), around pulsars the most energetic plasma exists and their surface gravity is over a hundred billion times greater than the Earth’s. As such, understanding the properties of pulsars gives us an insight into stellar evolution as well as improving our understanding of fundamental physics.

The chemists speakDr Leigh Jones is a Lecturer at the School of Chemistry, NUI Galway and works in the field of Inorganic Chemistry with special interest in coordination chemistry and molecular magnetism. Mr Seán Meally is a final year PhD student working with Dr Jones. Seán`s work focuses on the design and synthesis of paramagnetic pseudo metallocalix[6]arene complexes capable of acting as solid state hosts to numerous guests such as solvent molecules, counter anions and organic radicals

When I was eighteen I wanted to be…Seán: a chemistry researcher (it’s true!); Leigh: in a job I loved. Thankfully it happened!The thing I would like to see more of in chemistry is…Seán: more hands-on practical chemistry especially in the leaving certificate course. Chemistry demonstrations outside those on the syllabus are essential to get students enthusiastic about chemistry.My secret / not-so-secret talent is…

Understanding Parkinson’s diseaseOriginally a native of Carna in Connemara, Dr. Eilís Dowd spent twelve years pursuing her education and research interests abroad before returning to Ireland in 2005 to take up a Lectureship in Pharmacology at NUI, Galway. She completed her PhD at Edinburgh University in 1999 and this was followed by periods of postdoctoral research at Cambridge University, McGill University (Montreal) and Cardiff University. Dr. Dowd’s decision to establish her research team at NUI Galway was based on the University’s international reputation for excellence in Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology research, as well as on the establishment of research centres in Regenerative Medicine and Functional Biomaterials at the University. The co-existence of these research activities at NUI, Galway provided a thriving environment in which Dr. Dowd could pursue her research interests, namely, the development and validation of novel

Seán: reciting the entire Periodic Table from memory in less than 45 seconds.The most important thing I have learned during my PhD is…Seán: patience and perseverance. Sometimes it can take weeks (even months!) for a single crystal of a new compound to grow. This is especially true now that I am writing up the dreaded PhD thesis!

Leigh: that having an imagination is a very strong tool in synthetic research and that doing something against convention can lead to very interesting and important results. A good work day begins with…Leigh: a strong coffee while reading an email declaring that a paper has been accepted. I then go on to solve an interesting crystal structure or alternatively I am shown a beautiful structure by one of my PhD students! I chose chemistry as a career because…

Seán: it was the one subject, along with Physics, that I was ever any good at in school. It was my chemistry teacher (and his seemingly endless repertoire of knowledge) that convinced me that chemistry was the true path.Leigh: exactly the same reason as Seán`s! My teacher was such an inspiration that I deliberately went on to study Chemistry at the department she once frequented! The best motto I have ever heard is…Seán: “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today”-Benjamin Franklin.

Photo: Seán (L) and Leigh

PULSAR

UNRELATED OBJECTS LYING OUTSIDE OF THE GALAXY

A combined optical and X-ray image of the region around the pulsar PSR J0357+32

Exploring canyons in the AtlanticSince 2010, the School of Natural Sciences has been leading multidisciplinary cruises aboard RV Celtic Explorer to the canyon systems on Ireland’s Atlantic margin. These cruises support the Ireland-wide biodiscovery programme by providing specimens of deep-sea fauna from 400m depth down to 3,000m depth. They also seek to understand poorly known canyon ecosystems. Dr Louise Allcock, a zoologist at NUI Galway and chief scientist on the three cruises to date, explains the many facets of the research.

“We use the Irish deep-water ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) Holland I to explore the walls of the canyon systems throughout their lengths. Not only can the ROV record high definition video and still images, but we use its robotic arms and suction pump to collect animals from the floor and walls of the canyon. We freeze many of the specimens we collect for subsequent screening in the lab for bioactive compounds - a process which is headed-up by Margaret Rea (pictured), a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Natural Sciences. A small team of taxonomists identifies and records all the samples for the biodiscovery lab.

cannot change without disrupting their function. Antibodies work by binding, not to the whole virus, but rather to specific parts of proteins, called epitopes. Attention thus turns to the question of which epitopes are targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Researchers at NUI Galway are working as part of a large international collaboration to find these epitopes. Miguel Lacerda recently completed a PhD in Bioinformatics at the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, NUI Galway, though which he developed a probabilistic model of how the DNA sequence corresponding to HIV epitopes evolves. He applied this model to a large panel of viruses to find parts of the viral proteins where the changes in the

Models of evolution shed light on how antibodies can neutralize HIV The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to kill large numbers of people in parts of the developing world and there is still no cure or effective vaccine. When people become infected with HIV they make antibodies that can neutralize the virus. The problem is that the virus evolves rapidly to escape these antibodies. In fact, because the virus evolves so rapidly, the antibodies made by one person are ineffective against the virus from someone else. This makes it really hard to develop a vaccine. Fortunately, in some people, the situation is a little bit different. Antibodies from these individuals can neutralize viruses from across the HIV pandemic. These broadly neutralizing antibodies are the kind we would like an HIV vaccine to elicit, and their existence has given new hope that the development of an effective HIV vaccine is possible.

How do these broadly neutralizing antibodies work? One possibility is that they target parts of viral proteins that

pharmacological, cell and gene therapies for the neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease. Current therapies for this condition are severely limited as they only provide relief from disease symptoms but they can do nothing to prevent disease progression. Therefore, Dr. Dowd’s research is focused on alternative approaches that offer the possibility of slowing the course of the disease or even curing it.

Dr Louise Allcock (right) and Dr Margaret Rea onboard the RV Celtic Explorer to survey the Whittard Canyon System using the Marine Institute’s Holland 1 ROV to explore depths of 3000m. Photo by Andrew Downes, copyright Marine Institute.

Identification is a major challenge in these relatively unexplored ecosystems and we are discovering and describing new species and new community assemblages. We are also using molecular biology as a tool in understanding the evolution of these unique ecosystems. In addition, we have a team of hydrographers led by Dr Martin White and Dr Robin Raine who are exploring the dynamics of sedimentation and nutrient input throughout the canyon system.”

neutralization sensitivity of the viruses tracks the changes in the sequence of the virus. Collaborators in Johannesburg then performed mutagenesis experiments to show that these regions really are targeted by these antibodies – mutating these sites in antibody-sensitive viruses rendered them resistant. The software developed at NUI Galway for this project will shortly be hosted at the HIV database of the Los Alamos National Laboratories in the US, for use by other researchers as part of ongoing efforts to develop an effective HIV vaccine.

Structure of the HIV envelope glycoprotein. The surface is coloured according to the probability of being within a predicted antibody epitope (from blue, least likely, to red, most likely).

Dr. Eilís Dowd (front centre) and her research team. Front from left: Ms. Deidre Hoban, Dr. Eilís Dowd, Ms. Kiah McCabe. Back from left: Ms. Carol Naughton, Dr. Teresa Moloney, Mr. Brendan Gaughan, Mr. Ben Newland.

bones. Dr Ted McGowan’s expertise in inorganic analysis was used to determine levels, but with forensic insight, Angela concluded that high lead could be an indicator of wealth because only the well-off would have been able to afford to eat and drink from pewter vessels. While modern pewter is usually made from safer alloys, the traditional mix was of tin and lead. A forensic scientist, explained Angela would not necessarily conduct all these tests, but would know how they could be done. One of the advantages of running a course in forensics in Sligo, she said, is that there are a number

of experts such as Ted McGowan, or Dr Fiona McArdle, a specialist in chromatography, on the staff. Achieving a first class honours degree might have seemed an impossible dream

“One of the good things about forensics is that it encourages

students to think and they have to be very flexible,” said Angela, and they

have to be good communicators. If a person can’t communicate, she added, they may as well stay on the

shelves like a closed book.

just a few years ago, but for Angela there is no turning back. “I would love to see more happening in forensics at Sligo,” she said. There are opportunities to build up a network of connections, but getting funding to go on into post-graduate research might not be so easy because the benefits arising from forensics are not always obvious. “There is a tendency to link education to industry, and I am not altogether happy with that,” she said. Providing solutions to problems is all very fine, but where would we be now, she asks, if no one had worked out the DNA mechanism of inheritance?


Whychoose the Faculty of

Engineering, Mathematics & Scienceat Trinity College Dublin?

• The Faculty is part of the oldest University in Ireland • The University Library is one of the largest and best stocked in Europe• You can avail of our world class research facilities and laboratories • You will be part of a unique student body with over 15,500 students from over 90 different countries • There are aver 100 societies and 50 sports clubs for students to join

UG courses include: • Nanoscience – Physics and Chemistry of Advanced Materials• Geography & Political Sciences• Earth Sciences• Human Health & Disease• BA (Mod)Computer Science• BAI Engineering

Science in TCD Looking for excellent training in Science with maximumflexibility & choice? See our Science course (TR 071) whichoffers no less than 17 specialist areas.

www.tcd.ie/Science

Why not see whatwe can offer YOU byvisiting us at:www.ems.tcd.ie

What can you study? The Faculty has excellentundergraduate and postgraduateprogrammes including:

• 4 year honours degrees• Taught Postgraduate

programmes• Masters programmes• PhDs

Students are offered a variety ofoptions from across 8 Schools:

Biochemistry & ImmunologyChemistryComputer Science & StatisticsEngineeringGenetics & MicrobiologyNatural SciencesMathematicsPhysics

The Faculty accommodates a wide range of research interests including:

BioengineeringBioinformaticsEnergyImmunologyNanoscienceNeuroscienceThe EnvironmentTransport

T2039 STEM hp

INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY

Athlone Institute of Technologywww.ait.ie

Institute of Technology, Blanchardstownwww.itb.ie

Institute of Technology Carlow www.itcarlow.ie

Cork Institute of Technology www.cit.ie

Dundalk Institute of Technology www.dkit.ie

Dunlaoghaire Institute of Technology www.dliadt.ie

Galway May Institute of Technology www.gmit.ie

Letterkenny Institute of Technologywww.lyit.ie

Limerick Institute of Technology www.lit.ie

Institute of Technology Sligo www.itsligo.ie

Institute of Technology Tallaght www.it-tallaght.ie

Institute of Technology Tralee www.ittralee.ie

Waterford Institute of Technology www.wit.ie

The CollegesThe main difference between the ITs and the universities are in size and level of

courses on offer. While there is considerable overlap, particularly in research, ITs are, in general smaller than the universities, and there is more emphasis on applied skills.

UNIVERSITIES

Dublin City University www.dcu.ie

National University of Ireland Galway www.nuigslway.ie

National University of Ireland Maynooth www.nuim.ie

Trinity College Dublin www.tcd.ie

University College Dublin www.ucd.ie

University College Cork www.ucc.ie

University of Limerick www.ul.ie

University of Ulster www.ulster.ac.uk

Queen’s Belfast www.qub.ac.ukRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland,

RCSIwww.rcsi.ie


Opportunities for students at IT Carlow are going from strength to strength with new courses and facilities, as well as academic and business partnerships continuing to develop. This year saw the opening of the new Student Services Centre, designed to enhance students’ experience and well being while studying at IT Carlow. The construction of a new Research, Development and Innovation Centre begins this summer. The consistent drive for improvement in facilities and academic standards provides a strong platform for IT Carlow’s progression towards a multi-campus Technological University of the South East.

Department of Science and HealthIT Carlow’s Department of Science and Health (DSH) ranks as one of the most expansive and innovative in the country. With industry and research bodies increasingly looking for a wide range of specialised skills, the department is committed to providing a flexible suite of courses from level 6-10. Students have unparalleled access to academic staff, all of whom are active in research or curriculum development. All courses have an applied, practical and career orientated core.

Science for LifeThe DSH has provided science programmes for almost 40 years and has a strong distinction for Chemistry and Biology based courses. In line with the rising demand for bio and environmental science expertise, the department offers honours degrees in Biosciences with Bioforensics or Biopharmaceuticals (CW108), while the reputation of the honours degree Environmental Science (CW168) course continues to grow in both academic and industry circles. Level 6 and 7 courses in Analytical and Forensic Science (CW107), Biosciences (CW117), Pharmacy Technician Studies (CW116), Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry (CW116) are also available.

IT Carlow is dedicated to providing graduates with the right skills for life in the workplace. All final year DSH students undertake a commercially orientated project to develop project management skills, team and individual research work as well as presentation skills. Final year students also take part in a work placement module, giving them the opportunity to apply their learning to a real life context.

IT Carlow’s Centres of Research and Enterprise (COREs) extend across BioEnvironmental Technologies (EnviroCORE), Industrial Design and Product Innovation (DesignCORE), Interactive Applications Software & Networks (GameCORE) and Green Energy (GeoCORE). Science

students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies may be particularly interested in EnviroCORE where ITC scientists are involved in strategic applied research on the utilisation of bacteria and biomolecular technology for the bioremediation of polluted sites, biofuel

production and enhanced plant growth promotion.

The Ubiquity of TechnologyFrom Computing Summer Camps for children to Games Development for the active retired, the Department of Computing and Networking is at the forefront of technological advancement and integration. IT Carlow was the first Third Level Institute in the country to offer honours degree courses in Games Development and Software

Engineering. The Department is dedicated to providing the latest theory and practice to students preparing to work in an industry that is famed for its rapid evolution. This year, the innovation of two of the IT Carlow Games Development students has lead to their recognition

across the technological world. Carl Lange, aged 20, and Ciarán McCann, aged 21 set up their own technology based blog www.flax.ie with a main focus on the HTML 5 engine they are developing. San Francisco based gaming company, Game Closure, searched the technology community to find the best people to work with them on their HTML 5 games. Game Closure’s search lead them to IT Carlow’s brightest gaming students. They invited both students to take an all expenses paid trip to San Francisco to work with Game Closure staff for three weeks. Game Closure is featured on the world renowned technology blog “techcrunch”.

The Business of SportIT Carlow’s Sports and Physiology courses have a heritage of more than 20 years. Honours degree programmes in Sport Science and

Sport Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy remain in very high demand as does the Higher Certificate in Physiology and Health Science, the launch pad for a range of allied health professional careers. Sport and Exercise degree programmes are delivered in association with the GAA, Leinster Rugby and the FAI. Coaching, fitness, player development and club administration are combined with a broad based business or communications curriculum relevant to the development of the sport.

CARLOW & WEXFORD

SCIENCE & COMPUTING

IT Carlow’s School of Science offers Honours & Ordinary Degrees, Higher Certificates as well as MSc & PhD by research in the following areas:

For more information t: 059 9170597, e: [email protected] or log onto

www.itcarlow.ie

CARLOW & WEXFORD

SCIENCE & COMPUTING


• Analytical & Environmental Science

• Computer Games Development

• Biotechnology & Molecular

Environmental Science

• Computer Systems Management

• Biosciences with Bioforensics or

Biopharmaceuticals

• Sports & Exercise Rehabilitation

• Pharmacy Technician Studies

• Software Development

· Analytical, Forensic and Environmental Science

· Computer Games Development

· Biotechnology and Molecular Environmental Research

· Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy

· Computer Systems Management

· Biosciences, Bioforensics and Biopharmaceuticals

· Pharmacy Technician Studies

· Software Development

· Rehabilitative Science and Mens Health Research


www.itcarlow.ie

For more information t: 059 9170597,e: [email protected] or log onto

IT Carlow’s School of ScienceFoCUS For LIFe

For further information, contact: Dr David ryan, Head of Department of Science and Health,

IT Carlow T: 353 (0)59 9175506, e: [email protected]

www.teagasc.ie






Food Programme

Education Programme


Advisory Programme


bones. Dr Ted McGowan’s expertise in inorganic analysis was used to determine levels, but with forensic insight, Angela concluded that high lead could be an indicator of wealth because only the well-off would have been able to afford to eat and drink from pewter vessels. While modern pewter is usually made from safer alloys, the traditional mix was of tin and lead. A forensic scientist, explained Angela would not necessarily conduct all these tests, but would know how they could be done. One of the advantages of running a course in forensics in Sligo, she said, is that there are a number

of experts such as Ted McGowan, or Dr Fiona McArdle, a specialist in chromatography, on the staff. Achieving a first class honours degree might have seemed an impossible dream

“One of the good things about forensics is that it encourages

students to think and they have to be very flexible,” said Angela, and they

have to be good communicators. If a person can’t communicate, she added, they may as well stay on the

shelves like a closed book.

just a few years ago, but for Angela there is no turning back. “I would love to see more happening in forensics at Sligo,” she said. There are opportunities to build up a network of connections, but getting funding to go on into post-graduate research might not be so easy because the benefits arising from forensics are not always obvious. “There is a tendency to link education to industry, and I am not altogether happy with that,” she said. Providing solutions to problems is all very fine, but where would we be now, she asks, if no one had worked out the DNA mechanism of inheritance?


Whychoose the Faculty of

Engineering, Mathematics & Scienceat Trinity College Dublin?

• The Faculty is part of the oldest University in Ireland • The University Library is one of the largest and best stocked in Europe• You can avail of our world class research facilities and laboratories • You will be part of a unique student body with over 15,500 students from over 90 different countries • There are aver 100 societies and 50 sports clubs for students to join

UG courses include: • Nanoscience – Physics and Chemistry of Advanced Materials• Geography & Political Sciences• Earth Sciences• Human Health & Disease• BA (Mod)Computer Science• BAI Engineering

Science in TCD Looking for excellent training in Science with maximumflexibility & choice? See our Science course (TR 071) whichoffers no less than 17 specialist areas.

www.tcd.ie/Science

Why not see whatwe can offer YOU byvisiting us at:www.ems.tcd.ie

What can you study? The Faculty has excellentundergraduate and postgraduateprogrammes including:

• 4 year honours degrees• Taught Postgraduate

programmes• Masters programmes• PhDs

Students are offered a variety ofoptions from across 8 Schools:

Biochemistry & ImmunologyChemistryComputer Science & StatisticsEngineeringGenetics & MicrobiologyNatural SciencesMathematicsPhysics

The Faculty accommodates a wide range of research interests including:

BioengineeringBioinformaticsEnergyImmunologyNanoscienceNeuroscienceThe EnvironmentTransport

T2039 STEM hp

INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY

Athlone Institute of Technologywww.ait.ie

Institute of Technology, Blanchardstownwww.itb.ie

Institute of Technology Carlow www.itcarlow.ie

Cork Institute of Technology www.cit.ie

Dundalk Institute of Technology www.dkit.ie

Dunlaoghaire Institute of Technology www.dliadt.ie

Galway May Institute of Technology www.gmit.ie

Letterkenny Institute of Technologywww.lyit.ie

Limerick Institute of Technology www.lit.ie

Institute of Technology Sligo www.itsligo.ie

Institute of Technology Tallaght www.it-tallaght.ie

Institute of Technology Tralee www.ittralee.ie

Waterford Institute of Technology www.wit.ie

The CollegesThe main difference between the ITs and the universities are in size and level of

courses on offer. While there is considerable overlap, particularly in research, ITs are, in general smaller than the universities, and there is more emphasis on applied skills.

UNIVERSITIES

Dublin City University www.dcu.ie

National University of Ireland Galway www.nuigslway.ie

National University of Ireland Maynooth www.nuim.ie

Trinity College Dublin www.tcd.ie

University College Dublin www.ucd.ie

University College Cork www.ucc.ie

University of Limerick www.ul.ie

University of Ulster www.ulster.ac.uk

Queen’s Belfast www.qub.ac.ukRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland,

RCSIwww.rcsi.ie


Opportunities for students at IT Carlow are going from strength to strength with new courses and facilities, as well as academic and business partnerships continuing to develop. This year saw the opening of the new Student Services Centre, designed to enhance students’ experience and well being while studying at IT Carlow. The construction of a new Research, Development and Innovation Centre begins this summer. The consistent drive for improvement in facilities and academic standards provides a strong platform for IT Carlow’s progression towards a multi-campus Technological University of the South East.

Department of Science and HealthIT Carlow’s Department of Science and Health (DSH) ranks as one of the most expansive and innovative in the country. With industry and research bodies increasingly looking for a wide range of specialised skills, the department is committed to providing a flexible suite of courses from level 6-10. Students have unparalleled access to academic staff, all of whom are active in research or curriculum development. All courses have an applied, practical and career orientated core.

Science for LifeThe DSH has provided science programmes for almost 40 years and has a strong distinction for Chemistry and Biology based courses. In line with the rising demand for bio and environmental science expertise, the department offers honours degrees in Biosciences with Bioforensics or Biopharmaceuticals (CW108), while the reputation of the honours degree Environmental Science (CW168) course continues to grow in both academic and industry circles. Level 6 and 7 courses in Analytical and Forensic Science (CW107), Biosciences (CW117), Pharmacy Technician Studies (CW116), Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry (CW116) are also available.

IT Carlow is dedicated to providing graduates with the right skills for life in the workplace. All final year DSH students undertake a commercially orientated project to develop project management skills, team and individual research work as well as presentation skills. Final year students also take part in a work placement module, giving them the opportunity to apply their learning to a real life context.

IT Carlow’s Centres of Research and Enterprise (COREs) extend across BioEnvironmental Technologies (EnviroCORE), Industrial Design and Product Innovation (DesignCORE), Interactive Applications Software & Networks (GameCORE) and Green Energy (GeoCORE). Science

students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies may be particularly interested in EnviroCORE where ITC scientists are involved in strategic applied research on the utilisation of bacteria and biomolecular technology for the bioremediation of polluted sites, biofuel

production and enhanced plant growth promotion.

The Ubiquity of TechnologyFrom Computing Summer Camps for children to Games Development for the active retired, the Department of Computing and Networking is at the forefront of technological advancement and integration. IT Carlow was the first Third Level Institute in the country to offer honours degree courses in Games Development and Software

Engineering. The Department is dedicated to providing the latest theory and practice to students preparing to work in an industry that is famed for its rapid evolution. This year, the innovation of two of the IT Carlow Games Development students has lead to their recognition

across the technological world. Carl Lange, aged 20, and Ciarán McCann, aged 21 set up their own technology based blog www.flax.ie with a main focus on the HTML 5 engine they are developing. San Francisco based gaming company, Game Closure, searched the technology community to find the best people to work with them on their HTML 5 games. Game Closure’s search lead them to IT Carlow’s brightest gaming students. They invited both students to take an all expenses paid trip to San Francisco to work with Game Closure staff for three weeks. Game Closure is featured on the world renowned technology blog “techcrunch”.

The Business of SportIT Carlow’s Sports and Physiology courses have a heritage of more than 20 years. Honours degree programmes in Sport Science and

Sport Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy remain in very high demand as does the Higher Certificate in Physiology and Health Science, the launch pad for a range of allied health professional careers. Sport and Exercise degree programmes are delivered in association with the GAA, Leinster Rugby and the FAI. Coaching, fitness, player development and club administration are combined with a broad based business or communications curriculum relevant to the development of the sport.

CARLOW & WEXFORD

SCIENCE & COMPUTING


For more information t: 059 9170597, e: [email protected] or log onto

www.itcarlow.ie

CARLOW & WEXFORD

SCIENCE & COMPUTING


• Analytical & Environmental Science

• Computer Games Development

• Biotechnology & Molecular

Environmental Science

• Computer Systems Management

• Biosciences with Bioforensics or

Biopharmaceuticals

• Sports & Exercise Rehabilitation

• Pharmacy Technician Studies

• Software Development

· Analytical, Forensic and Environmental Science

· Computer Games Development

· Biotechnology and Molecular Environmental Research

· Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy

· Computer Systems Management

· Biosciences, Bioforensics and Biopharmaceuticals

· Pharmacy Technician Studies

· Software Development

· Rehabilitative Science and Mens Health Research


www.itcarlow.ie

For more information t: 059 9170597,e: [email protected] or log onto

IT Carlow’s School of ScienceFoCUS For LIFe

For further information, contact: Dr David ryan, Head of Department of Science and Health,

IT Carlow T: 353 (0)59 9175506, e: [email protected]

www.teagasc.ie






Food Programme

Education Programme


Advisory Programme


Aillwee CaveAn extensive cave, first discovered in 1940 and since 1970 a great deal of work has been done to open up passageways.Ballyvaughan, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Arigna ExperienceThe history of coal mining at Arigna from the 1700s to 1990 is on display and there is an underground tour of workings.Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon.071 9646466tours@arignaminingexperience.iewww.arignaminingexperience.ie

Armagh PlanetariumThe Planetarium is part of an international research institute promoting the rich heritage of astronomy and related sciences. About 30 astronomers study stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy and its relationship to Earth. There is an active education programme and the grounds are open to visitors every day.College Hill, Armagh, Co Armagh. BT619DB. Education Support: Tracy McConnell [email protected]

Ballycopeland WindmillRestored windmill in east Down with miller’s house and audio-visual display.Windmill Road, Millisle, Co Down. www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/places_to_visit_home/historic-monuments/ballycopeland.htm

Birr Castle DemesneTravel back in time with the Earls of Rosse, when Birr Castle was a hub of scientific discovery and innovation. Ireland’s Historic

Science Centre reveals the wonders of early photography, engineering, astronomy and botany. Meander through beautifully landscaped and natural parkland with an exotic worldwide plant collection nestled around 120 acres of Award Winning Gardens. Birr, Co Offaly. 053 5791 [email protected],com

Blennerville WindmillThe largest working windmill in Ireland. The mill has been completely restored and there is a visitor centre with an exhibition on Blennerville’s history as an important port and departure point for emigrants.Blennerville, Co Kerry. 086 7121064 [email protected]

Clonmacnoise and West Offaly RailwayA narrow-gauge railway, formerly used to transport peat, takes a 45 minute journey through bogland. Blackwater Works, Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co Westmeath.090 [email protected]

Belfast Botanic GardensEstablished in 1828, the ornate palm house, with its large collection of temperate and tropical plants, is one of the outstanding features. College Park, Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1LP.+44 28 [email protected]/parksandopenspaces

Burren CentreAn exhibition and audio-visual presentation describing the

flora, fauna, history and geology of Burren. Café and craft shop.The Square, Kilfernora, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Burren Outdoor Education CentreCentre for outdoor activities, summer camps, field studies and ecology courses.Turlough, Bell Harbour, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Bushmills DistilleryLicenced to distill whiskey since 1608. One hour tours of the distillery2 Distillery Road, Co Antrim. BT578XH Northern Ireland +44 28 [email protected]

Castle Ward Corn and Saw MillPart of the extensive 332 ha Castleward Estate, a National Trust property, overlooking Strangford Lough. The water-powered mill is occasionall operated, and is open to visitors.Strangford, Co Down. [email protected]/castle-ward

Castlecomber Discovery ParkAn exceptional multimedia account of coal mining in the area incorporating live interviews with former miners. The centre is surrounded by woodland nature trails. There is a craft centre and café.The Estate Yrd, Castlecomber, Co Kilkenny. General Manager Sandra McGrath 056 [email protected]

Céide FieldsThe oldest known field systems in the world are preserved beneath the natural blanlet bog. The multi-award winning Visitor Centre, beside a 110m high cliff, provides exhibits, film, tearoom and guided walking tours with chance to discover a hidden Neolithic wall.Ballycastle, Co Mayo. 096 [email protected]

CIT Blackrock Castle ObservatoryCIT BCO promotes science, engineering and technology in Ireland as a centre of excellence in scientific research, education and outreach. Through innovative workshops and partnership, science education is brought to life for students of all ages, the general public and teachers through the provision of crucial and on-going science education.Cork. Outreach, Frances McCarthy 021 [email protected]

Cliffs of Moher Visitor CentreInterpretive centre for visitors who want to explore these world famous cliffs. The centre’s building, set into the landscape and covered with a grass hillside, was constructed to cater for close to a million visitors a year.Co Clare. Education Officer Cormac McGinley 065 [email protected]

Copper Coast GeoparkAn area of geological interest stretching along 25 km of the Waterford coast. The geopark incorporates a 19th century copper mining heritage, and geological features include ancient volcanic deposits, and boulder clays left by retreating glaciers. As a European Geopark, the Copper Coast is recognised

SCIENTIFIC DESTINATIONSA selection of centres of scientific interest open to the public and

well worth a visit.

DESTIN

ATION

S


Aillwee Cave

BURREN

Aran Islands

ArignaArmagh Planerium

Ballycopeland Windmill

Birr Castle

Blennerville

BELFAST

BushmillsGiant’s Causeway

ExplorisCastleward

Castlecomer

Ceide Fields

CORK Copper Coast

Crag Cave

Dingle

Dunmore Cave

Elphin

GALWAY DUBLIN

Glenveagh

Kennedy Arboretum

Knockcroghery

Kilbeggan

Marble Arch

Museum Country Life

Newgrange

Ross IslandKillarney

Wexford Wildlife

as an area of exceptional geological interest. Self-guided walking guide cards are available at the restored church in Bunmahon.Bunmahon, Co Waterford.051 [email protected]

Corlea Trackway CentreAn eighteen metre stretch of oak roadway, from one of the extensive tracks that crossed bogland more than 2,000 years ago, has been preserved at the centre. The trackways, skillfully made and maintained, had survived under a covering of peat.Kenagh, Co Longford.043 [email protected]

Crag CaveOne hour tours underground and a two-floor ‘house of fun’. The cave extends for over 3km. Following exploration by cavers in the 1980s, 350 metres of the cave was opened up for visitors.Castleisland, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Crawford ObservatoryDating from 1880 and recently restored. The only observatory on an Irish university campus.University College Cork, Cork. Access, contact UCC Visitors’s Centre, North Wing, Main Quad. UCC.021 [email protected]

Dingle OceanworldAn aquarium with sharks, piranhas, and native marine and freshwater species. Over 1,000 species on display and featuring a see through underwater tunnel.The Wood, Dingle, Co Kerry.066 [email protected]

Dublin ZooA wide variety of animals including apes, tigers and rhinos are among the 600 species to

be seen in the 28 ha zoo located the Phoenix Park. Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Dunmore CaveUnderground chambers with calcite formations. Guided tours lasting one hour. Castlecomber Road, Co Kilkenny. 056 7767726Email: [email protected]

Dunsink ObservatoryDating from 1783, the Dunsink Observatory is one of the oldest scientific institutions in Ireland. Among who worked there was William Rowan Hamilton, whose discovery of quaternions transformed mathematics. The Observatory is operated by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and during winter months there are public open days.Dunsink Lane, Castleknock, Dublin 15. 01 8387959

Elphin WindmillDating from 1720 and restored in 1996. The Mill Cottage has an agricultural museum.Elphin, Co Roscommon.

Exploris AquariumAquarium situated by the marine nature reserve of Strangford Lough. Most of the marine species found in northern Irish waters are included, and there is as seal sanctuary.The Ropewalk, Castle Street, Portaferry, Northern Ireland. BT22 1NZ Education Officer Andy O’Neill [email protected]

Fota Wildlife ParkZoo established in 1983 by the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork. Animals and arboretum in a parkland setting.Carrightwohill, Co Cork. 021 [email protected]

Foxford Woollen MillMill shop and audio-visual display on how the mill was established to alleviate poverty by making use of local resources.Foxford, Co Mayo. 094 [email protected]

Galway AtlantaquariaPresenting a comprehemsive view of the underwater world. Displays closely match the natural environment and in a huge see-through ‘splash tank’ sea bass and other Atlantic species can be viewed swimming through the waves. There is also a four metre deep ocean tank where over 200 animals can be viewed from open side, or from above.Seafront Prominade, Salthill, Galway.091 [email protected]

Geology MuseumDating from 1777 the museum houses 80,000 specimens including many Silurian and Carboniferous fossils from Ireland. Museum Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Curator: Dr Patrick Wyse Jackson.01 [email protected]

Giant’s CausewaySpectular sight of interlocking basalt columns formed 50 to 60 million years ago as a volcanic eruption. The Causeway is a World Heritage site.Co Antrim. Manager Alexandra Mehaffy 028 20731855www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giantscausway

Glenveagh National ParkEducation centre with activities on wildflowers, boglands and environment.Co Donegal. Visitor Service Superviser Trés Connaghan 074 9137689glenveagh-education@environ.iewww.glenveaghnationalpark.ie

Guinness StorehouseSeven floors of industrial heritage on display and a viewing platform overlooking the city.St James’s Gate, Dublin 8. 01 4084800guinness-storehouse@guinness.comwwsw.guinness-storehouse.com

DES

TIN

ATIO

NS


Aillwee CaveAn extensive cave, first discovered in 1940 and since 1970 a great deal of work has been done to open up passageways.Ballyvaughan, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Arigna ExperienceThe history of coal mining at Arigna from the 1700s to 1990 is on display and there is an underground tour of workings.Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon.071 9646466tours@arignaminingexperience.iewww.arignaminingexperience.ie

Armagh PlanetariumThe Planetarium is part of an international research institute promoting the rich heritage of astronomy and related sciences. About 30 astronomers study stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy and its relationship to Earth. There is an active education programme and the grounds are open to visitors every day.College Hill, Armagh, Co Armagh. BT619DB. Education Support: Tracy McConnell [email protected]

Ballycopeland WindmillRestored windmill in east Down with miller’s house and audio-visual display.Windmill Road, Millisle, Co Down. www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/places_to_visit_home/historic-monuments/ballycopeland.htm

Birr Castle DemesneTravel back in time with the Earls of Rosse, when Birr Castle was a hub of scientific discovery and innovation. Ireland’s Historic

Science Centre reveals the wonders of early photography, engineering, astronomy and botany. Meander through beautifully landscaped and natural parkland with an exotic worldwide plant collection nestled around 120 acres of Award Winning Gardens. Birr, Co Offaly. 053 5791 [email protected],com

Blennerville WindmillThe largest working windmill in Ireland. The mill has been completely restored and there is a visitor centre with an exhibition on Blennerville’s history as an important port and departure point for emigrants.Blennerville, Co Kerry. 086 7121064 [email protected]

Clonmacnoise and West Offaly RailwayA narrow-gauge railway, formerly used to transport peat, takes a 45 minute journey through bogland. Blackwater Works, Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co Westmeath.090 [email protected]

Belfast Botanic GardensEstablished in 1828, the ornate palm house, with its large collection of temperate and tropical plants, is one of the outstanding features. College Park, Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1LP.+44 28 [email protected]/parksandopenspaces

Burren CentreAn exhibition and audio-visual presentation describing the

flora, fauna, history and geology of Burren. Café and craft shop.The Square, Kilfernora, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Burren Outdoor Education CentreCentre for outdoor activities, summer camps, field studies and ecology courses.Turlough, Bell Harbour, Co Clare. 065 [email protected]

Bushmills DistilleryLicenced to distill whiskey since 1608. One hour tours of the distillery2 Distillery Road, Co Antrim. BT578XH Northern Ireland +44 28 [email protected]

Castle Ward Corn and Saw MillPart of the extensive 332 ha Castleward Estate, a National Trust property, overlooking Strangford Lough. The water-powered mill is occasionall operated, and is open to visitors.Strangford, Co Down. [email protected]/castle-ward

Castlecomber Discovery ParkAn exceptional multimedia account of coal mining in the area incorporating live interviews with former miners. The centre is surrounded by woodland nature trails. There is a craft centre and café.The Estate Yrd, Castlecomber, Co Kilkenny. General Manager Sandra McGrath 056 [email protected]

Céide FieldsThe oldest known field systems in the world are preserved beneath the natural blanlet bog. The multi-award winning Visitor Centre, beside a 110m high cliff, provides exhibits, film, tearoom and guided walking tours with chance to discover a hidden Neolithic wall.Ballycastle, Co Mayo. 096 [email protected]

CIT Blackrock Castle ObservatoryCIT BCO promotes science, engineering and technology in Ireland as a centre of excellence in scientific research, education and outreach. Through innovative workshops and partnership, science education is brought to life for students of all ages, the general public and teachers through the provision of crucial and on-going science education.Cork. Outreach, Frances McCarthy 021 [email protected]

Cliffs of Moher Visitor CentreInterpretive centre for visitors who want to explore these world famous cliffs. The centre’s building, set into the landscape and covered with a grass hillside, was constructed to cater for close to a million visitors a year.Co Clare. Education Officer Cormac McGinley 065 [email protected]

Copper Coast GeoparkAn area of geological interest stretching along 25 km of the Waterford coast. The geopark incorporates a 19th century copper mining heritage, and geological features include ancient volcanic deposits, and boulder clays left by retreating glaciers. As a European Geopark, the Copper Coast is recognised

SCIENTIFIC DESTINATIONSA selection of centres of scientific interest open to the public and

well worth a visit.

DESTIN

ATION

S


Aillwee Cave

BURREN

Aran Islands

ArignaArmagh Planerium

Ballycopeland Windmill

Birr Castle

Blennerville

BELFAST

BushmillsGiant’s Causeway

ExplorisCastleward

Castlecomer

Ceide Fields

CORK Copper Coast

Crag Cave

Dingle

Dunmore Cave

Elphin

GALWAY DUBLIN

Glenveagh

Kennedy Arboretum

Knockcroghery

Kilbeggan

Marble Arch

Museum Country Life

Newgrange

Ross IslandKillarney

Wexford Wildlife

as an area of exceptional geological interest. Self-guided walking guide cards are available at the restored church in Bunmahon.Bunmahon, Co Waterford.051 [email protected]

Corlea Trackway CentreAn eighteen metre stretch of oak roadway, from one of the extensive tracks that crossed bogland more than 2,000 years ago, has been preserved at the centre. The trackways, skillfully made and maintained, had survived under a covering of peat.Kenagh, Co Longford.043 [email protected]

Crag CaveOne hour tours underground and a two-floor ‘house of fun’. The cave extends for over 3km. Following exploration by cavers in the 1980s, 350 metres of the cave was opened up for visitors.Castleisland, Co Kerry. 066 [email protected]

Crawford ObservatoryDating from 1880 and recently restored. The only observatory on an Irish university campus.University College Cork, Cork. Access, contact UCC Visitors’s Centre, North Wing, Main Quad. UCC.021 [email protected]

Dingle OceanworldAn aquarium with sharks, piranhas, and native marine and freshwater species. Over 1,000 species on display and featuring a see through underwater tunnel.The Wood, Dingle, Co Kerry.066 [email protected]

Dublin ZooA wide variety of animals including apes, tigers and rhinos are among the 600 species to

be seen in the 28 ha zoo located the Phoenix Park. Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]

Dunmore CaveUnderground chambers with calcite formations. Guided tours lasting one hour. Castlecomber Road, Co Kilkenny. 056 7767726Email: [email protected]

Dunsink ObservatoryDating from 1783, the Dunsink Observatory is one of the oldest scientific institutions in Ireland. Among who worked there was William Rowan Hamilton, whose discovery of quaternions transformed mathematics. The Observatory is operated by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and during winter months there are public open days.Dunsink Lane, Castleknock, Dublin 15. 01 8387959

Elphin WindmillDating from 1720 and restored in 1996. The Mill Cottage has an agricultural museum.Elphin, Co Roscommon.

Exploris AquariumAquarium situated by the marine nature reserve of Strangford Lough. Most of the marine species found in northern Irish waters are included, and there is as seal sanctuary.The Ropewalk, Castle Street, Portaferry, Northern Ireland. BT22 1NZ Education Officer Andy O’Neill [email protected]

Fota Wildlife ParkZoo established in 1983 by the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork. Animals and arboretum in a parkland setting.Carrightwohill, Co Cork. 021 [email protected]

Foxford Woollen MillMill shop and audio-visual display on how the mill was established to alleviate poverty by making use of local resources.Foxford, Co Mayo. 094 [email protected]

Galway AtlantaquariaPresenting a comprehemsive view of the underwater world. Displays closely match the natural environment and in a huge see-through ‘splash tank’ sea bass and other Atlantic species can be viewed swimming through the waves. There is also a four metre deep ocean tank where over 200 animals can be viewed from open side, or from above.Seafront Prominade, Salthill, Galway.091 [email protected]

Geology MuseumDating from 1777 the museum houses 80,000 specimens including many Silurian and Carboniferous fossils from Ireland. Museum Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Curator: Dr Patrick Wyse Jackson.01 [email protected]

Giant’s CausewaySpectular sight of interlocking basalt columns formed 50 to 60 million years ago as a volcanic eruption. The Causeway is a World Heritage site.Co Antrim. Manager Alexandra Mehaffy 028 20731855www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giantscausway

Glenveagh National ParkEducation centre with activities on wildflowers, boglands and environment.Co Donegal. Visitor Service Superviser Trés Connaghan 074 9137689glenveagh-education@environ.iewww.glenveaghnationalpark.ie

Guinness StorehouseSeven floors of industrial heritage on display and a viewing platform overlooking the city.St James’s Gate, Dublin 8. 01 4084800guinness-storehouse@guinness.comwwsw.guinness-storehouse.com

DES

TIN

ATIO

NS


Jameson DistilleryGuided tours through the distillery to see how whiskey was distilled.Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7. 01 8072355www.whiskeytours.ie

Jamerson ExperienceThe old Cork Distilleries Company operated here for 150 years before staff moved over to the Midleton Distillery. The old distillery with water wheel and steam engines has been preserved, and there are guided tours ending with a sample of the Irish whiskey.Distillery Walk, Midleton, Co Cork. General Manager Ignacio Peregrina 021 [email protected]

Kennedy ArboretumThousands of tree and shrub species from around the temperate regions of the world growing in 252 hectares on the southern slopes of Slievecoiltia. There is a visitor centre.New Ross, Co Wexford.051 [email protected]

Knockcrogkery Clay Pipe MuseumSmall museum based on the former local industry in which about 100 people were engaged in making clay pipes. Knockcrogkery, Co Roscommon.

Lifetime LabHeritage and education centre, located in Cork’s old Victorian waterworks. Promoting science, maths, heritage and sustainability through workshops and other events. Old Waterworks Lee Road, Cork. Mervyn Horgan 021 [email protected]@corksity.ie

Locke’s DistilleryA pot still distillery, first licenced in 1757, with steam engine and water wheel. Most of the original distillery remains intact

and can be viewed in a forty minute tour.Lower Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. 057 [email protected]

Marble Arch CavesExtensive limestone cave with an underground river. The caves and an extensive area extending from Fermanagh into Cavan is an internationally recognised Geopark.Marlbank, Florencecourt, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. Northern Ireland BT92 1EWManager: Richard Watson +44 28 663455infomarblearchcavesgeopark.comwww.marblearchcaves.net

Marshe’s LibraryFounded in 1701, the library, beside St Patrick’s Cathedral, houses more than 25,000 books and manuscripts including works of scientific interest.St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8.

National Botanic GardensLarge collection of plants, including over 300 endangered species and 6 that are already extinct in the wild. The National Herbarium is housed in the Gardens and there is an education centre for visitors.Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Director Matthew Jebb 01 [email protected]

National Museum — ArchaeologyMore than a million archaeological objects from Ireland and abroad.Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

National Museum — Country LifeMaterial representing Irish traditional life and customs. Turlough, Co Mayo. 094 9031773

National Museum — Natural HistoryThe Natural History section has a large collection of animals and geological specimens, including a 20 metre fin whale skeleton, ice age giant deer known as Irish Elk, and a historic ‘museum of a museum’ particularly popular with children.Merrion Square, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

National Sealife CentrePart of an international group of aquariums, with more than 90 marine species on display.Bray, Co Wicklow. 01 2866939www.sealife.ie

National StudIncludes a horse museum, a Japanese garden, and a stud farm where many of the fnest racehorses are born and raised.Tully, Co Kildare.045 [email protected]

NewgrangeThe large mound is one of a number of constructions built over 5,000 years ago in the Boyne Valley. One of the remarkable feature of Newgrange is the precise alignment of its inner passage which allows the winter solstice Sunlight to illuminate a chamber, marking the beginning of a new year. Tours of Newgrange and Knowth begin at the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre, near Donore, Co Meath.041 [email protected]

North Bull IslandSet among the extensive sand dunes of Dublin’s Bull Island, educational programmes for schools are run from an interpretive centre. The five km long island began to form when the Bull Wall was built to facilitate shipping and is now an important wildlife sanctury.Interpretative Centre, North Bull Dublin 3. 01 2225278

Patterson’s Spade MillTraditional spade making powered by a water-mill. Working demonstrations are given of the traditional manufacturing process.Templepatrick, [email protected]

Petersburg Outdoor Education CentreBase for outdoor activities and centre for exploring the geology of the Joyce Country by Lough Mask.094 9546416info@petersburg,iewww.petersburg.ie

Phoenix ParkVisitor centre at Ashtown Castle with displays on history and wildlife of Phoenix Park.Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/visitorcentre

Ross Island, KillarneyBy the lakes and surrounded by oak woods, remains of ancient Bronze Age mining for copper. A walking trail with informative panels about the mines.Killarney National Park, Co Kerry.

Science GalleryScience Gallery at Trinity College Dublin is a dynamic and vibrant cultural space at the interface between the university and the city, developing exhibition and events at the boundary between science, emerging technology, art and design. Through themes ranging from music and the body to the future of water, Science Gallery helps ignite a passion for science, technology and innovation.Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. Programme Manager Lynn Scarff 01 [email protected]


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Skerries, wind millTwo restored windmills and a watermill with millrace and associated wetlands. Skerries, Co Dublin. Manager Ray Hunt 01 [email protected]

Steam MuseumCollection of steam driven machinery, a working beam engine, and inventors’ models on display in a Victorian gothic building. Located in a walled garden.Lodge Park, Straffan, Co Kildare. 01 6273155www.steam-museum.com

Tullamore Dew Heritage CentreTour of distilling works, and display of Tullamore area history.Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co Offaly. 057 [email protected]

Ulster Folk and Transport MuseumOutdoor folk museum and transport collection including a displays about the TitanicCultra, Holywood, Northern Ireland BT18 OEU +44 2890428428

Ulster MuseumExtensive collections on archaeology, fossils and minerals, plant life and animals.Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT95AB 084 5608000www.nmni.com/um

W5Permanent exhibitions, workshops and events about science in a large centre by the Lagan in Belfast. Who, why, what and when. W5 at Odyssey, 2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast. Northern Ireland BT3 9QQ +44 28 90467700www.w5online.co.uk

Wexford Wildlife ResearveAn extensive area of wetlands providing a safe haven for an abundance of wildfowl. The reserve is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service together with Bird Watch Ireland.North Slob, Ardcavan, Co Wexford. 053 9123406www.wexfordwildfowlreserve.ie

WWT Castle Espie Wetland CentreWildlife centre run by The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the conservation organisation for wetlands and wildlife aross the world. The nine wetland visitor centres are supported by WWT members.78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Co Down. Northern Ireland BT23 6EA +44 2891 [email protected]/castleespie

Above, life sized figure of a early cave explorer at Marble

Arch in Fermanagh.

The Copper Coast, one of Ireland’s Geoparks.

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Jameson DistilleryGuided tours through the distillery to see how whiskey was distilled.Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7. 01 8072355www.whiskeytours.ie

Jamerson ExperienceThe old Cork Distilleries Company operated here for 150 years before staff moved over to the Midleton Distillery. The old distillery with water wheel and steam engines has been preserved, and there are guided tours ending with a sample of the Irish whiskey.Distillery Walk, Midleton, Co Cork. General Manager Ignacio Peregrina 021 [email protected]

Kennedy ArboretumThousands of tree and shrub species from around the temperate regions of the world growing in 252 hectares on the southern slopes of Slievecoiltia. There is a visitor centre.New Ross, Co Wexford.051 [email protected]

Knockcrogkery Clay Pipe MuseumSmall museum based on the former local industry in which about 100 people were engaged in making clay pipes. Knockcrogkery, Co Roscommon.

Lifetime LabHeritage and education centre, located in Cork’s old Victorian waterworks. Promoting science, maths, heritage and sustainability through workshops and other events. Old Waterworks Lee Road, Cork. Mervyn Horgan 021 [email protected]@corksity.ie

Locke’s DistilleryA pot still distillery, first licenced in 1757, with steam engine and water wheel. Most of the original distillery remains intact

and can be viewed in a forty minute tour.Lower Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. 057 [email protected]

Marble Arch CavesExtensive limestone cave with an underground river. The caves and an extensive area extending from Fermanagh into Cavan is an internationally recognised Geopark.Marlbank, Florencecourt, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. Northern Ireland BT92 1EWManager: Richard Watson +44 28 663455infomarblearchcavesgeopark.comwww.marblearchcaves.net

Marshe’s LibraryFounded in 1701, the library, beside St Patrick’s Cathedral, houses more than 25,000 books and manuscripts including works of scientific interest.St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8.

National Botanic GardensLarge collection of plants, including over 300 endangered species and 6 that are already extinct in the wild. The National Herbarium is housed in the Gardens and there is an education centre for visitors.Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Director Matthew Jebb 01 [email protected]

National Museum — ArchaeologyMore than a million archaeological objects from Ireland and abroad.Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

National Museum — Country LifeMaterial representing Irish traditional life and customs. Turlough, Co Mayo. 094 9031773

National Museum — Natural HistoryThe Natural History section has a large collection of animals and geological specimens, including a 20 metre fin whale skeleton, ice age giant deer known as Irish Elk, and a historic ‘museum of a museum’ particularly popular with children.Merrion Square, Dublin 2. 01 [email protected]

National Sealife CentrePart of an international group of aquariums, with more than 90 marine species on display.Bray, Co Wicklow. 01 2866939www.sealife.ie

National StudIncludes a horse museum, a Japanese garden, and a stud farm where many of the fnest racehorses are born and raised.Tully, Co Kildare.045 [email protected]

NewgrangeThe large mound is one of a number of constructions built over 5,000 years ago in the Boyne Valley. One of the remarkable feature of Newgrange is the precise alignment of its inner passage which allows the winter solstice Sunlight to illuminate a chamber, marking the beginning of a new year. Tours of Newgrange and Knowth begin at the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre, near Donore, Co Meath.041 [email protected]

North Bull IslandSet among the extensive sand dunes of Dublin’s Bull Island, educational programmes for schools are run from an interpretive centre. The five km long island began to form when the Bull Wall was built to facilitate shipping and is now an important wildlife sanctury.Interpretative Centre, North Bull Dublin 3. 01 2225278

Patterson’s Spade MillTraditional spade making powered by a water-mill. Working demonstrations are given of the traditional manufacturing process.Templepatrick, [email protected]

Petersburg Outdoor Education CentreBase for outdoor activities and centre for exploring the geology of the Joyce Country by Lough Mask.094 9546416info@petersburg,iewww.petersburg.ie

Phoenix ParkVisitor centre at Ashtown Castle with displays on history and wildlife of Phoenix Park.Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 01 [email protected]/visitorcentre

Ross Island, KillarneyBy the lakes and surrounded by oak woods, remains of ancient Bronze Age mining for copper. A walking trail with informative panels about the mines.Killarney National Park, Co Kerry.

Science GalleryScience Gallery at Trinity College Dublin is a dynamic and vibrant cultural space at the interface between the university and the city, developing exhibition and events at the boundary between science, emerging technology, art and design. Through themes ranging from music and the body to the future of water, Science Gallery helps ignite a passion for science, technology and innovation.Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. Programme Manager Lynn Scarff 01 [email protected]


DESTIN

ATION

S

Skerries, wind millTwo restored windmills and a watermill with millrace and associated wetlands. Skerries, Co Dublin. Manager Ray Hunt 01 [email protected]

Steam MuseumCollection of steam driven machinery, a working beam engine, and inventors’ models on display in a Victorian gothic building. Located in a walled garden.Lodge Park, Straffan, Co Kildare. 01 6273155www.steam-museum.com

Tullamore Dew Heritage CentreTour of distilling works, and display of Tullamore area history.Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co Offaly. 057 [email protected]

Ulster Folk and Transport MuseumOutdoor folk museum and transport collection including a displays about the TitanicCultra, Holywood, Northern Ireland BT18 OEU +44 2890428428

Ulster MuseumExtensive collections on archaeology, fossils and minerals, plant life and animals.Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT95AB 084 5608000www.nmni.com/um

W5Permanent exhibitions, workshops and events about science in a large centre by the Lagan in Belfast. Who, why, what and when. W5 at Odyssey, 2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast. Northern Ireland BT3 9QQ +44 28 90467700www.w5online.co.uk

Wexford Wildlife ResearveAn extensive area of wetlands providing a safe haven for an abundance of wildfowl. The reserve is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service together with Bird Watch Ireland.North Slob, Ardcavan, Co Wexford. 053 9123406www.wexfordwildfowlreserve.ie

WWT Castle Espie Wetland CentreWildlife centre run by The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the conservation organisation for wetlands and wildlife aross the world. The nine wetland visitor centres are supported by WWT members.78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Co Down. Northern Ireland BT23 6EA +44 2891 [email protected]/castleespie

Above, life sized figure of a early cave explorer at Marble

Arch in Fermanagh.

The Copper Coast, one of Ireland’s Geoparks.

DES

TIN

ATIO

NS


SCIENCE SPINIreland’s science, nature and discovery magazine

6 issues a year covering science at home and abroad

In newsagents throughout Ireland, and on subscriptionSubscribe on line from our website. €30 post included Ireland, UK and EU

www.sciencespin.com

REAL IRELANDThe joint Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland project to chart Ireland’s extensive marine territory has completely transformed out view of the sea. Deep sea mapping has been

followed by charting of coastal waters.In producing this chart for schools, the Marine Institute dubbed it “the Real Map of Ireland”

Exclusive Economic Zones

ALBANIAALGRIABELGIUMBULGARIACROATIADENMARKEGYPT

ESTONIAFINLANDFRANCEGERMANYGREECEICELANDIRELAND

ITALYLATVIALIBYALITHUANIAMALTAMOROCCONETHERLANDS

NORWAYPOLANDPORTUGALRUSSIASERBIASPAINSWEDEN

TUNISIATURKEYUK

0-500-1,000-1,500-2,000-2,500-3,000-3,500-4,000-4.500-5,000-5,500

Depth metres

SCIENCE SPINIreland’s science, nature and discovery magazine

6 issues a year covering science at home and abroad

In newsagents throughout Ireland, and on subscriptionSubscribe on line from our website. €30 post included Ireland, UK and EU

www.sciencespin.com

REAL IRELANDThe joint Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland project to chart Ireland’s extensive marine territory has completely transformed out view of the sea. Deep sea mapping has been

followed by charting of coastal waters.In producing this chart for schools, the Marine Institute dubbed it “the Real Map of Ireland”

Exclusive Economic Zones

ALBANIAALGRIABELGIUMBULGARIACROATIADENMARKEGYPT

ESTONIAFINLANDFRANCEGERMANYGREECEICELANDIRELAND

ITALYLATVIALIBYALITHUANIAMALTAMOROCCONETHERLANDS

NORWAYPOLANDPORTUGALRUSSIASERBIASPAINSWEDEN

TUNISIATURKEYUK

0-500-1,000-1,500-2,000-2,500-3,000-3,500-4,000-4.500-5,000-5,500

Depth metres

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation for excellence in scientific research. SFI invests in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies, and competitive enterprises.

To find out more about the research SFI supports in Ireland view:

twitter.com/scienceirel

SFI Ad 2012 (210 x 275).indd 1 13/06/2012 10:18:38

Documents

Irish Science Handbook