Ten early career researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have secured more than €980,000 in combined in funding under the Research Ireland Government of Ireland programmes. The investment will support postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in delivering societal and economic impact through their work.

The RCSI projects funded span a range of priority areas across the health sciences, including antimicrobial resistance, tissue engineering, breast cancer, detection of sepsis and the impact of work-related violence on social workers.

Announcing the awards, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said: “This significant investment of €36.3 million in our early career researchers reinforces the Government’s commitment to the future of Ireland’s research and innovation system. Early career researchers are the lifeblood of that system. These awards, which span a wide range of subject areas, represent an investment in the country’s future capacity to innovate, driving both social and economic benefits. Without new ideas and new ways of thinking, we cannot hope to build or sustain Ireland as a knowledge economy.”

The RCSI research projects announced under the Postgraduate Scholarship Programme were:

• Eavan Pakenham – Developing a biomaterial scaffold for treatment of bone cancer with both anti-cancer and bone regenerative properties.
• Faith Ogundimu – Using bioinformatics and machine learning to find new mutations in the human genome that may cause cancer.
• Gráinne Murtagh – Exploring the impact of work-related violence on social workers to improve practice and policy approaches.
• Inna Prus – Evaluating whether targeting a particular protein during a PET scan can identify patients at risk following traumatic brain injury.
• Lucio Leopaldi – Investigating interactions between RNA and binding proteins, to advance cell biology and identify targets for RNA based therapies.
• Meghma Mitra – Advancing understanding of the neurophysiology of epilepsy to inform the design of effective treatments.
• Zixuan Huang – Developing gallium-based compound with antibacterial and antimicrobial effects, which can be used to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

The RCSI research projects announced under the Postdoctoral Fellowship programme were:

• Dr Annael Sort-Montenegro – Developing nature-inspired, 3D printable hydrogel scaffolds that mimic tissue and help to treat injuries.
• Dr James Larkin – Exploring the role of industry partnership in healthcare organisations and how they can support public health goals.
• Dr Rachel Lamerton – Investigating the role of a biomarker in the mechanisms behind sepsis, with implications for novel treatments.

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI, said: “We are delighted for our PhD and postdoctoral researchers who have achieved funding in this programme. We look forward to seeing the impact that this funding will have at this important stage in their careers, supporting them in addressing these vital challenges across healthcare and health sciences.”

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, commented: “At the heart of these programmes are the researchers themselves – individuals whose creativity and determination are shaping new ideas and advancing knowledge across all disciplines. This year’s awardees have demonstrated exceptional potential, bringing forward ambitious ideas and fresh perspectives that will enrich Ireland’s research community.”