BiOrbic is delighted to congratulate one of its leading principle investigators, Professor Pat Guiry, on winning the SFI Mentorship award, revealed at the 2020 SFI Science Summit yesterday. The award was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD.
On receiving the award, Professor Guiry responded, “I am honoured to win this year’s SFI Mentorship Award. Thanks to my colleagues in the UCD School of Chemistry, and in the two SFI research centres, BiOrbic, the Bioeconomy Research Centre and SSPC, the Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre. However this Award would not have been possible without my former and current research group members with whom it has been and is a pleasure to work. I thank them especially and wish them well in their future careers.”
Professor Guiry is a member of BiOrbic’s executive committee, leader of the conversion platform and is the Director of the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology at University College Dublin, which he instigated in 2001. In addition to these roles, he is also Vice-President of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland, Chair of the Board of the Young Scientist and Technology Limited and Science Secretary of the Royal Irish Academy.
His research focuses on synthetic organic chemistry, with interests both in the design and application of new chiral ligands and in the synthesis of new compounds of biological interest. This methodology is applied to the conversion of waste material from the agri-food industry into higher value chemicals.
Guiry has been nominated by colleagues for his careful guidance of students while they are under his leadership, as well as his eagerness to prepare students for successful careers beyond it. His students benefit from numerous opportunities to network and present their achievements, not only to peers but also to various public groups, aiding their growth as well-rounded academics. Thanks to this encouragement, many have gone on to take prestigious positions at leading universities worldwide and Professor Guiry continues to follow and support them.
Professor Kevin O’Connor, Director of BiOrbic said, “I am delighted that Professor Pat Guiry’s outstanding mentorship has been recognised by SFI. Pat has supervised over 55 PhD students and 20 postdoctoral scientists so far in his career which is already an incredible achievement. He has provided them with access to first class industry and academic labs across the world due to his success as an international researcher. He is an inspiration to young PhD students and young academics starting out in their careers.”
Due to Covid-19 restrictions the SFI summit is being held digitally and while there will be no presentation of the award in person, Professor Guiry will make an acceptance speech at the summit’s award ceremony at 12:30PM today.
