Professor Conor Ryan has been appointed Fulbright Ambassador for University of Limerick.
The Fulbright Ireland Campus Ambassador Programme provides support for Fulbright applicants and partners across the country.
Professor Ryan is Professor of Machine Learning in the Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) department and the Director of the Biocomputing and Developmental Systems Group.
His research involves developing Machine Learning Algorithms that can automatically write computer programs and that can produce explainable and auditable results.
Professor Ryan was a 2013-2014 Fulbright Scholar in Massachusetts Institute of Technology using Machine Learning to identify early-stage breast cancer.
In the ambassadorial role, Professor Ryan will offer guidance to University of Limerick staff and students who wish to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to study, research or teach in the USA.
He will also liaise with University of Limerick faculty to grow new Ireland-USA networks and collaborations, through hosting Fulbright US scholars and students. UL currently partners with Fulbright Ireland to bring US students to Ireland to complete Masters programmes, and to host US scholar experts.
Fulbright Commission in Ireland Executive Director, Dr Dara Fitzgerald said: “We are delighted to appoint Professor Conor Ryan as Fulbright Ambassador for the University of Limerick. We look forward to working closely with him to create new Ireland-U.S. collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships.
“As a Fulbright Alum, he will provide great insight to students and staff who are considering visiting the USA through these scholarships. We look forward to reviewing applications from the University of Limerick as part of the 2024-2025 Fulbright Irish Awards competition.”
Professor Conor Ryan said he was “honoured to be appointed as Fulbright Ambassador to the University of Limerick”.
“My Fulbright Visiting Scholar Award afforded me the opportunity to spend time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I used Machine Learning to help identify early-stage cancer. The reception I received from colleagues at MIT and the broader Boston community was incredible.
“Additionally, my visit to the Ana G. Méndez University System in Puerto Rico, sponsored by Fulbright, where I spent time with local faculty and students, was equally enriching. I look forward to supporting faculty and students from UL benefiting from the exceptional opportunities presented by a Fulbright Scholarship.”
The 2024-2025 Fulbright Irish Awards competition is open for applications with a closing date of October 27 at 4pm. Visit the website to register for informational webinars.
The Fulbright Irish Awards provide grants and support for Irish citizens, and E.U. citizens who have been resident in the ROI for five plus years, to research, study, or lecture in the USA. Opportunities are available in all disciplines. The Commission encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds to all its schemes, programmes and activities.
