University of Galway has appointed Professor Lokesh Joshi as the Acting Vice-President for Research and Innovation. A Stokes Professor of GlycoSciences at University of Galway, Professor Joshi previously held the role of Vice-President for Research at the University from 2013 to 2020, spearheading an ambitious agenda to achieve excellence in research, innovation and entrepreneurship.             Professor Becky Whay, University of Galway Interim Deputy President and Registrar, said: “I am delighted Professor Joshi is taking up the role of Acting Vice-President for Research and Innovation as he brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished track record in research excellence. We look forward to his leadership in driving impactful research and innovation that will make a positive difference.” Professor Lokesh Joshi said: “University of Galway has an established and vibrant research and innovation ecosystem. I am very proud of its researchers who are carrying out excellent and impactful research across many disciplines. I am honoured to have this opportunity and look forward to engaging with the stakeholders to support our research and innovation community.” With over 30 years of international experience, Professor Joshi’s primary research interest is in the roles played by complex carbohydrates in living systems and developing technologies to understand the protein-carbohydrate relationship in health and during disease processes. Professor Joshi has led several research projects supported by national and EU funding agencies, published over 150 research articles and is actively involved in international research and innovation initiatives. He is also the founder of Aquila Bioscience, a University of Galway spin-out developing novel strategies for protection against infectious diseases and is collaborating with multiple partners including Defence Forces Ireland and European Space Agency. Previously an Associated Professor at Arizona State University where he led a research team investigating the role of glycosylation in health and disease, Professor Joshi’s post-doctoral and research associate training took place at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, following the completion of his PhD on fungal pathogenesis at Bath University, UK. Professor Joshi succeeds Professor Jim Livesey in the role of Vice-President for Research and Innovation. Professor Whay said: “I also want to express my thanks to the outgoing Vice-President, Professor Jim Livesey, for his work on behalf of the University during his term. We wish him all the very best for the future.” Ends

A University of Galway professor has received a Discovery Award from Wellcome Trust to lead a project investigating how stem cells make fate decisions. Professor Uri Frank, who conducts research at the University's Centre for Chromosome Biology, is to lead a study to address a fundamental question in developmental and stem cell biology - namely how do stem cells know which cell type they should become in the right time and location? Professor Frank's team has been working on stem cell biology using an unconventional animal model – the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, a close relative of jellyfish and corals. The cnidarian is highly regenerative, being able to regrow any lost body part. Also of interest is Hydractinia's ability to evade the consequences of time; these animals do not age and normally do not succumb to cancer or any other age-related disease. Professor Uri Frank said: "I am delighted to be granted a Discovery Award from Wellcome. This funding will allow us to expand the basic knowledge on stem cells. Discoveries we make in Hydractinia are likely to be relevant to other animals' stem cells, including those of humans.” The unusual traits displayed by Hydractinia are based on a population of stem cells that are the subject of the study. These cells, known as i-cells, are functionally related to early embryonic cells of humans. Like their human counterparts, Hydractinia i-cells can give rise to all cell types of the body. Other than human embryonic cells, which only exist during a narrow time window in early embryos, i-cells are retained through Hydractinia adult life. This uniquely makes them accessible for research in a whole-animal context. Stem cells are unspecialised cells, defined by their ability to self-renew and become a specialised cell type such as muscle, neuron, or skin cells. When stem cells differentiate into specific cell types, they are said to make a "fate decision" - the process by which a stem cell commits to becoming a particular type of specialised cell rather than maintaining its stem cell state or choosing a different specialisation path. Stem cells act in development, regeneration, and during maintenance of adult tissues. The Wellcome Trust Discovery Award provides funding for established researchers and teams who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. Ends

University of Galway is to lead five research projects focused on tackling major societal challenges as part of a €6.6 million funding award from Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland. Four of the five funding awards went to the Centre for Chromosome Biology at University of Galway, which hosts a highly collaborative network of researchers investigating topics linked to the biology of genomes. All five awards went to scientists in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at the College of Science and Engineering. The grants are made available through the Frontiers for the Future Programme, which supports high-risk, high-reward research programmes and innovative, collaborative projects with the potential to deliver economic and societal impact. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D. announced a total of €23.6 million Frontiers for the Future funding to support 23 research projects focused on tackling challenges in AI, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and transport. Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: “The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future programme supports the development of world-class research across a range of disciplines. The awardees – spanning 9 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 the awardees’ progress over the coming years.” The five funded research projects include: Design and synthesis of glycomimetics (structural mimics of carbohydrates) to inhibit disease-promoting proteins associated with cancer and inflammatory diseases (Professor Helen Blanchard and Professor Paul Murphy, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences) Dissecting the unexpected roles of molecular motors and their substrates in preventing the mutations that fuel ageing, cancer and neurodegeneration (Professor Noel Lowndes, Director of the Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences) Using sea anemones to understand the evolution and mechanisms underlying development and disease (Dr James Gahan, Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences) Exploring how subcellular structures called centrosomes ensure correct cell division after genome damage or during cell aging (Professor Ciaran Morrison, Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences) Advanced genetic technologies to discover how our DNA is duplicated and support the development of anti-cancer therapies (Professor Corrado Santocanale, Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences)   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. The Frontiers for the Future awardees are from University of Galway, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Teagasc, Technological University of the Shannon, University College Dublin, University College Cork and University of Limerick. Ends