It has been another incredible year of activities and achievements across the College of Science. Our students continue to excel both inside and outside the classroom. From a Royal Irish Academy Award to competing at the Olympics, their accomplishments are a testament to their talent and the dedication of faculty and staff.
Research across the College continues to be impactful, from ground-breaking work developing weather and climate services using AI and data science, to innovative and sustainable solutions to decarbonisation.
In January, EIRSAT-1 won the 2024 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition for securing UCD’s place in Ireland’s space history. Detailing the historic achievement of building, launching and operating Ireland’s first satellite, this year’s winning case study ‘Ireland’s first satellite: transforming the national space landscape with the launch of EIRSAT-1’ was led by Professor Lorraine Hanlon, Director of UCD Centre for Space Research, and Professor of Astronomy at UCD School of Physics.
In February, three environmental research projects from UCD received a total of nearly €2 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This new EPA funding will help to build the vital research talent and knowledge needed in Ireland to respond to these challenges and achieve a healthier environment.
In March, Professor Sarah Gleeson was named as the new iCRAG Director. She will oversee the Ireland Centre for Research and Applied Geosciences efforts across ten different institutions and 150 researchers to create innovative and sustainable solutions to decarbonisation, protecting groundwater and marine resources, and safeguarding against natural hazards such as floods and landslides.
AI expert, UCD Professor Andrew Parnell, will lead a new multi-million-euro programme to develop weather and climate services using AI and data science, funded by Met Éireann. Aiming to develop AI-enhanced models to allow the National Meteorological Service to build on its forecasting capabilities, the Met Éireann Weather and Climate Research Professorship will help to make Ireland more weather and climate prepared.
A new biodiversity project could see native oyster reefs and seagrass beds restored to Dublin Bay. UCD has partnered with Codling Wind Park, Ireland’s largest planned offshore wind project, to explore the potential of using nature-based solutions to protect and enhance biodiversity at selected sites in the area and along the Irish coast.
Research Ireland has awarded almost €7 million to 11 ‘high-risk, high-reward’ UCD research projects. Drought resilience of bog plants, alternative battery technologies for electric vehicles, and treatments for epilepsy are among the projects to be investigated. This latest round of grants will support a diverse range of research positions and represents a strong commitment to developing future talent in key areas.
One of the leading voices in physics education, the American Physical Society (APS) has elected Dr Shane Bergin as a Fellow. Considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field of physics, an APS Fellowship is only awarded to those who have made exceptional contributions to physics research, physics education, or leadership in or service to APS.
UCD student Jack Sherry was awarded the prestigious Royal Irish Academy Hamilton Prize – the top accolade for undergraduate mathematical students in Ireland. Sherry, who is in his final year of Applied & Computational Mathematics, was among nine students recognised by the Royal Irish Academy for their mathematical excellence.
The University community was deeply saddened by the loss of one of our most remarkable, respected and influential alumni, UCD Professor Emerita of Phytochemistry Dervilla Donnelly MRIA (1930-2024), who served as the first woman President of the Royal Dublin Society (1989-1992).
Our alumni continue to be an integral part of our ongoing journey, and alumni support and engagement play a vital role in our mission. Whether through mentorship, philanthropy, or simply staying connected, alumni remain an essential part of our community.