Eamon Ryan, BNest founder, Gert O’Rourke, Nexus Innovation Centre, Mary Shire, Vice President Research UL

BNest, the only dedicated social enterprise start-up programme within the Mid-West is once again partnering with Nexus Innovation Centre to deliver this unique programme, aimed at supporting those driving social enterprise activities in the region. The BNest Programme is specifically aimed at emerging social enterprises. This year’s programme sees 11 participants joining Nexus for a six month programme designed to merge the best of Nexus commercial practices with the additional needs of social entrepreneurship.

(l-r) Dr Todd Kagawa, Dr. Brian Noonan, Dr Jakki Cooney

Cala Medical limited, formed in February this year, is a spin out from the University of Limerick and based at the Nexus Innovation Centre. The company have designed and patented a unique device containing a specific immobilized enzyme which treats the excessive inflammatory response in the blood of sepsis patients.

Professor James Gleeson

Two UL researchers have received prestigious SFI Investigator Awards at a cermemony in Dublin today, 21st September. Minister for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD announced an investment of €43 million in 26 research projects through the SFI Investigators Programme. The research projects will support 94 research positions over the next five years.

In his project Professor James Gleeson and his team in the University of Limerick will develop new mathematical models to help revolutionise the understanding of how information spreads online.

Dr. Markus Helfert, Dr. Marija Bezbradica and Dr. Hugh Doyle

Lero researchers are to head a new €3.8 million EU programme designed to enable European high street and online retailers counter the competitive threat posed by foreign global players such as Amazon and eBay. Lero, the Irish Software Research Centre, which is headquartered at UL, is supported by Science Foundation Ireland.

UL students Niamh Sheahan, Jessica Silva, and Janice O'Gorman

Global healthcare company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and UL have entered the second year of their collaborative education WiSTEM2D programme. The acronym refers to Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design, and is part of J&J’s commitment to building a diverse WiSTEM2D community by mobilising brilliant minds that ignite great ideas.

“The research outputs from the first year of the WiSTEM2D programme identified a lack of female role models in STEM-related fields and confirmed that men outnumber women in most STEM careers,” according to the President of UL, Dr Des Fitzgerald.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD, together with the Minister for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan, TD, has today launched four new world-class Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres.

The four new SFI Research Centres, including CONFIRM led by University of Limerick (UL), represent an investment of €74 million from the Government over the next six years, with a further investment of €40 million from industry.

A recent survey carried out by the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) has revealed that almost 70% of current third level science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) students at the University of Limerick are hoping to stay and work in the wider Limerick region, subject to employment availability. The survey was revealed as part of the official launch of the BT YSTE 2018, which took place on the 4th of September in BT Ireland’s office in Limerick.

Prof Gavin Walker, Bernal Chair in Pharmaceutical Powder Engineering, UL, Sean Kelly MEP and Chris Edlin, PMTC Director

Leaders in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Ireland gathered at University of Limerick today for the third annual Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC) Knowledge Day.

The event provided a showcase for the cutting-edge research supported by the centre with key note addresses from industry thought leaders who shared their vision of the future for the pharmaceutical sector.

Bernal Institute Chairs Professor Michael Zaworotko and Professor Gavin Walker take over as co-directors of SSPC

The Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded centre based at UL, has appointed Professor Michael Zaworotko and Professor Gavin Walker as co-directors of the organisation.

Limerick medical entrepreneur Chris Kelly had plenty of cause for celebration this week when he landed the keys to a brand new, taxed and insured car after becoming a Nissan Generation Next ambassador.

Chris (20) based in the Nexus Innovation Centre in UL, fended off competition from over 1,000 applicants to secure one of eleven places that were up for grabs on the prestigious ambassador programme which helps people to get ahead with the backing and support of Nissan.