Trinity’s Professor Luke O’Neill is Awarded Science Foundation Ireland Researcher of the Year

Posted on: 10 November 2009

Minister  for  Science,  Technology and Innovation,  Conor Lenihan,  has announced Professor Luke O’Neill of Trinity  College  Dublin  as  winner of Science Foundation Ireland’s inaugural  SFI  Researcher of the Year  accolade. Minister Lenihan made the announcement in a keynote address to the SFI Science Summit, at a two-day conference in Athlone attended by over 300 of Ireland’s leading scientific researchers.

Professor Luke O’Neill is Professor of Biochemistry  at Trinity College Dublin and through his pioneering work in the areas of immunology and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, has emerged as a world leader in his field.

Professor Frank Gannon, Director General, SFI, Professor Luke O’Neill, TCD, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan

Presenting Professor O’Neill with his award, Minister Lenihan said: “Professor O’Neill has achieved exceptional scientific research outputs in immunology, and has made a profound contribution to Ireland’s research community in the process.”

The Minister added: “In addition to his ground breaking laboratory achievements, Professor O’Neill has also been a driving force in the commercialisation of research and an articulate and strong proponent of scientific research in the public domain. His all-round contribution to science in Ireland makes him a thoroughly deserving recipient of this prestigious honour.”