During his recent visit to Ireland, the President of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Germany, Professor Reimund Neugebauer presented the Fraunhofer Thaler Award to Professor Gerry Byrne in recognition of his “outstanding leadership and significant achievements in the field of applied research”. This is a wonderful honour for Prof. Byrne as it is thought that he is the first Irish person to receive the Fraunhofer Thaler Award.
Prof. Gerry Byrne is a Senior Advisor to the President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. He is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University College Dublin and former College Principal and Dean of Engineering at UCD.
He is a Past-President of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland, Past-President of the Irish Academy of Engineering, Past-President of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (USA) and a Fellow of the German National Academy for Science and Engineering (acatech). He established his own company, GB Innovation Ltd. in 2014. His company provides a managed service to European Industries and Organisations in the area of applied research, development and innovation. Professor Byrne is currently a member of the High Level Commission overseeing the German Universities Excellence Initiative. He sits on the Board of Directors and Chairs the R&D Boards of a number of companies.
