The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme funds high-risk, high-reward research and innovative, collaborative projects with the potential to deliver economic and societal impact.
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Trinity College Dublin Researchers Leading Key Projects
The Trinity College Dublin researchers awarded funding are:
- Prof. Jonathan Coleman (School of Physics, and the AMBER Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) will lead a project toward high-performance printed devices based on 2D nanosheets via interface and junction engineering.
- Prof. Rachel McLoughlin (School of Biochemistry and Immunology) seeks to harness the power of gamma-delta T cells to target intracellular Staphylococcus aureus infection.
- Prof. David Hoey (School of Engineering and AMBER) aims to develop new mechano-immuno-modulatory strategies for bone regeneration.
- Profs. Lorina Naci (School of Psychology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, TCIN) and Fiona Wilson (School of Medicine) will collaborate to develop tools assessing dementia risk in former professional athletes and protective factors in mid-life.
- Dr Silvia D’Angelo (School of Computer Science and Statistics) will develop new statistical methods for analysing longitudinal dietary patterns and their association with health outcomes.
- Dr Eva Jimenez-Mateos (School of Medicine and TCIN) will investigate how glutamate directly targets microglia and contributes to the pathophysiology of birth asphyxia and the development of paediatric epilepsy.
- Dr Mark Ahearne (School of Engineering) seeks to optimize the mechanical environment for corneal bioengineering.
The Impact of the Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme
Prof. Sinéad Ryan, Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin, stated: “I congratulate all the Trinity awardees on securing this Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future funding. This funding programme supports ‘high-risk, high-reward’ research and will be a key enabler for innovative and creative research across a wide range of disciplines at Trinity. I look forward to seeing these projects progress.”
James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, added: “The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future programme supports the development of world-class research across a range of disciplines. The awardees – spanning nine research institutions nationwide – have brought forward novel and innovative ideas with strong potential to deliver impactful solutions for major challenges facing society today. The programme itself promotes gender balance and provides opportunities for emerging investigators returning to research. I look forward to seeing awardees’ progress over the coming years.”
Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive of Research Ireland, commented: “Our Frontiers for the Future Programme is driven by feedback from the research community and represents a strong commitment to developing future talent in key areas. These 23 awards will fund a total of 86 research positions, comprising Postdocs, PhDs, Research Assistants, and support staff. I’m very pleased with the opportunities that this targeted investment is creating and greatly encouraged that crucial research on pressing issues will be facilitated as a result.”
Supporting Research Excellence at Trinity College Dublin
The funding from Research Ireland will play a crucial role in supporting innovative research at Trinity College Dublin, fostering advancements in science, technology, and medicine. These projects have the potential to create meaningful societal and economic impact, further cementing Trinity’s role as a leader in cutting-edge research.
