The Royal Society has announced prestigious University Research Fellowships (URFs) to three researchers in Ireland. The funding, totalling €5.25 million, will enable these early-career researchers to establish independent research programs at their higher education institutions, advancing knowledge in diverse and impactful scientific fields over the next eight years:

• Dr Anthony Redmond, Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow at UCD School of Medicine, will lead the project: ‘Immunity in the Fast Lane: Reconstructing the Evolution of the Animal Immune System and Prospecting for Novel Antimicrobials’. Dr Redmond’s research will uncover the origins of animal immune systems by studying unique marine invertebrates. The work has the potential to identify novel antimicrobial compounds, which could lead to new treatments in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
  
  
• Dr Laura Hayes (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies) will lead the project titled: ‘FLASH: FLare Acceleration Studies with High-energy observations’. Dr Hayes will explore how the Sun accelerates high-energy particles during solar flares, a key process in astrophysics that also affects satellite technology and Earth’s magnetic field. Using data from the Solar Orbiter mission, the project aims to reveal new insights into the physics of particle acceleration in space.
  
  
• Dr Boris Galkin (Tyndall National Institute) will lead the project titled: ‘SONGBIRD: Sensing Operations in Networks of Ground-and-Air Devices’. Dr Galkin’s project will harness radio signal reflections to develop AI-powered mapping technology for drones. This could revolutionize emergency response, air traffic control, and urban planning, enabling drones to generate highly detailed environmental maps without expensive cameras or sensors.

Sir Adrian Smith, President of The Royal Society, said: “Long-term funding for early career researchers to pursue novel and exciting scientific questions is vital to attracting talent and ensuring we are developing the next generation of word-leading scientists. It is gratifying to see the Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowships supporting such an array of outstanding research and researchers.”

Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO of Research Ireland, added: “Ireland has a strong track record of scientific excellence, and investing in our researchers is key to maintaining this position on the global stage. The Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowship is a vital initiative that provides talented scientists with the freedom and stability they need to pursue innovative research. Research Ireland is delighted to support this year’s awardees, whose projects in space science, immunology, and AI-driven sensing demonstrate the depth and diversity of Irish research talent.”

The Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowship supports exceptional early-career scientists in building independent research careers, offering long-term flexible funding, and fostering the next generation of global research leaders. The awards provide eight years of support, with a mid-term assessment ensuring continued excellence and impact.

The full list of 2024 University Research Fellows can be found here - https://royalsociety.org/news/2024/10/early-career-researchers-grants-announced/.

Photo caption: Left-right: Dr Laura Hayes (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies), Dr Boris Galkin (Tyndall National Institute) and Dr Anthony Redmond (University College Dublin).