As the year 2020 draws to a close, we reflect on the past 12 months of research in WIT, in a year that presented the most unusual of circumstances
While none of us could have imagined what this year had in store, the challenges that emerged were met with great resilience from an ever-innovative research community. Now is a time to reflect on the past year, to recount the successes, events, and highlights that inspired us during these difficult times. The following list is chosen to illustrate the breadth of research in the Institute, from funding success to prestigious awards. By no means a comprehensive list of research happenings nor a Top-12 list in any order. The reflections below are just some of the many stories that represent research within the Institute for 2020.
- Our year began on a very positive note following the publication of Enterprise Ireland’s latest interim report of Irish Involvement in Horizon 2020. The report listed WIT as the leading Institute of Technology with regard to Horizon 2020 funding comprising 23 funding awards, totalling over €15m in funding for the Institute. read more »
- In early January, our colleague Dr Sheila Donegan was listed as one of the top-25 Science and Technology Leaders to keep an eye on in 2020 as published by Siliconrepublic.com Dr Donegan leads the Calmast Research Group with Eoin Gill and the group conducts incredible outreach activities in the STEM area every year, including the national Maths Week festival that sees 100s of thousands of participants take part. read more »
- At the end of January the SEAM Research Centre won the Industry Partnership of the Year award for their work with Boston Scientific Clonmel at the IMR Manufacturing & Supply Chain Awards 2020. Another award for SEAM in recognition of their continuing excellence and successful collaborations with industry, showing the impact of WIT research with our commercial partners. read more »
Dr Ramesh Raghavendra receiving the award on behalf of SEAM
- The WIT-led ORBITAL project, a Marie Curie Action funded under Horizon 2020 had its kick-off event… virtually. The world had changed greatly after March and novel ground was broken with 60 participants engaging in online meetings as part of this project’s formal beginnings. Very different from the norm of gathering at a suitable venue, it would become the way in which we would become accustomed to working this year. read more »
Participants of the virtual ORBITAL kick-off meeting
- In May, Prof John Nolan received a prestigious award in recognition of his research focusing on the role of macular pigment for visual and cognitive function. Prof Nolan was awarded the Xtreme Research Award 2020 by Heidelberg Engineering in May of this year. Prof Nolan’s research into eye health is extensive and continued research into how macular pigment acts as a biomarker for brain nutrition and its connection to Alzheimer’s disease was reflected in this award. read more »
Prof John Nolan with the Heidelberg Engineering award for Xtreme Research
- As the pandemic unfolded and more and more businesses felt the impact of lockdowns, the team of business strategists and technologists from RIKON were selected as an approved supplier of Business Continuity Supports by Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, and Local Enterprise Office. RIKON’s history of working closely with SMEs to aid their processes and establish competitive advantage were key components in this positioning. read more »
- In June, a team of scientists and researchers from the PMBRC teamed up with University Hospital Waterford to improve the speed of COVID-19 testing. Co-funded by SFI, Enterprise Ireland, and the IDA the initiative set focus on increasing the speed of the testing process without compromise to the quality nor accuracy of the test. Another of the many endeavours embraced by WIT’s researchers in the battle against COVID-19. read more »
L-to-R Patrick Mulhare, laboratory manager, Pathology Department of University Hospital Waterford,
Dr Denise O’Meara (WIT), Dr Lee Coffey (WIT)
- In July, WIT became the first HEI in Ireland to sign the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) which recognises wider ways of disseminating research. In line with the Institute’s commitment to responsible and open research, signing this agreement is reinforcement of the Institute’s desire to focus more on research outputs rather than numbers alone. read more »
- Aaron Kent, a graduate of the WIT BA Arts programme in WIT, won a prestigious Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship for his project titled 'Re-shaping narratives: An analysis of life and culture as dramatised by Irish women playwrights following the Irish War of Independence, (1922-1959).' By focusing on under-represented works of women playwrights, Aaron’s research will forgo historic prejudice and explore previously under-represented narratives to inform more inclusive ways to remember, commemorate and acknowledge important events as Irish society enters a crucial period of Irish social, cultural and political change. read more »
- In October, two world-renowned research teams with expertise in the areas of cybersecurity, telecommunications, quantum communications and more joined forces to establish Ireland’s first ever ‘Space Region’ and ‘boldly go where no one has ever gone before’. Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and WIT came together to form the Society, Economy and Environment (SEE) Space network, an exciting new partnership which builds on their reputation as centres of leading-edge research and innovation with the potential to build links to international space organisations such as the European Space Agency. read more »
Ireland's first ever 'Space Region' established through collaboration between WIT and CIT
- Two of WIT’s research centres were shortlisted for the KTI Impact Awards 2020. In November, TSSG emerged as the victor in the People’s Choice Impact Award for their Virtual Reality project that helped children both learn and increase their awareness of COVID-19. Fittingly, as had become the new normal, the award ceremony took place virtually with the award being no less real. read more »
- Following on from a total of 4 nominations in the 2020 Pharma Industry Awards, WIT’s PMBRC scooped the honours as Pharma Research Centre of the Year in December. Another prestigious award for Dr Niall O’Reilly and his team in the PMBRC reflecting on their commitment to research excellence and highly-engaged and innovative projects that deliver impact to industry and the state of the art. read more »
Pharma Research Centre of the Year 2020 award for PMBRC
Main Campus Cork Road, Waterford City, 
