Yesterday, BiOrbic’s Director Kevin O’Connor received Innovation Champion of the Year Award from UCD’s start-up hub, NovaUCD.

Professor O’Connor was presented with the award by Professor Orla Feely, President of UCD, for his leadership roles in shaping Ireland’s bioeconomy research landscape. Kevin is not only the Director of BiOrbic but also as Principal Investigator of Farm Zero C, a collaboration between Carbery and various research partners to create a climate-neutral nature positive, economically viable dairy farm. Kevin is also leading in the development of pilot scale facilities at the Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen Co. Tipperary.

In addition to large-scale projects, so far Kevin has disclosed 16 inventions to NovaUCD, 7 patents have been filed, 7 licences concluded with industry, and he has co-founded UCD spin-out companies, Bioplastech and Nova Mentis.

On receiving the award, Professor O’Connor said, “I would like to thank NovaUCD for the Award.  It is a huge honour and a source of great pride for me.“

“I want to acknowledge and thank the current and former members of my research group, BiOrbic research centre, employees of Bioplastech and Nova Mentis, and the many collaborators in industry and academia for their hard work and dedication and without whom my innovation journey would not be possible.” 

He added, “Meaningful collaborations arise when people have a shared vision and can see a mutual benefit.  Such collaborations need great people to work and stay together to share the ups and downs of the journey which can be relentless and unforgiving.  I am privileged to share my innovation journey with incredibly talented people.”

Prof. Orla Feely, President, UCD and Prof. Kevin O’Connor – Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX

Kevin won the same award in 2016 for his spin out company Bioplastech, as well as Research Ireland’s Research of the Year Award in 2019. As BiOrbic Director, he has continued to be a source of inspiration for researchers and support staff across the Centre’s 12 institutions.

Speaking on what it’s like to work under Kevin, Education Coordinator Conor Haugh said, “Kevin is a rare combination of exceptional intelligence and genuine sincerity. He’s involved in so many projects that I’m constantly amazed by the attention he gives to each one. And it’s exactly the same with people – no matter how busy he is, he always finds time for a word of encouragement or a quick joke.“

Similarly, Ciara Lynch, a post-doctoral researcher working in Kevin’s lab said, “Kevin is a very supportive supervisor who always makes me feel like my own ideas are heard and gives me the space and advice needed to develop them into something even better than what I could come up with on my own.“

Manuel Bruch, another post-doctoral researcher from the same lab added, “Kevin will support you, be that in your project, your professional development or at a 4AM sea swim in the pouring rain.“

The impact Kevin has had on the bioeconomy landscape in Ireland is incredibly significant and is only exceeded by the impact he has on those of us lucky to work for him. On behalf of the centre, we would like to congratulate Kevin for his tremendous achievements.