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Three exceptional early-career researchers awarded Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowships

A group photo: pictured from Left-right: Dr. Tian Carey (Trinity College Dublin), Dr Jennifer Lynch (University College Dublin), Dr Ian Woods (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences).
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Long–term funding to support pioneering work in brain repair, advanced electronics, and cancer treatment 

The Royal Society have announced highly competitive Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowships to three Irish-based early-career researchers.  

Over €5.5 million in long-term funding – provided over an eight-year period – will resource the trio to kickstart their independent research careers and pursue ambitious, high-impact scientific research. 

The three awardees of the 2025 Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowships are: 

  • Dr Ian Woods (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences) will lead ‘MX-REGEN: MXene-functionalized 3D-printed electroconductive scaffolds for spatially-controlled enhancement of pro-regenerative electrical stimulation for neurotrauma repair.’ Dr Woods will explore new ways to help the brain repair itself after traumatic brain injury using 3D printed microwires to deliver electrical signals to damaged tissue. The project aims to develop a small, injectable implant to encourage regrowth of neurons, improving recovery for people with traumatic brain injuries. 
  • Dr Jennifer Lynch (University College Dublin) will lead ‘Exploring novel β-catenin regulatory mechanisms in AML toward enhanced therapeutic targeting’. Dr Lynch will study how a key molecule called β-catenin drives an aggressive form of leukaemia. The aim of the project is to uncover new weaknesses in cancer cells that could lead to more effective targeted treatments for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. 
  • Dr Tian Carey (Trinity College Dublin) will lead ‘Transistors with High mobility electronic INKs (THINK).’ Dr Carey will investigate how advanced materials and novel printing methods can overcome limitations currently restricting high-performance printed electronics. The project aims to develop next-generation flexible electronic devices for applications in environmental monitoring, early-stage medical diagnostics, and beyond. 

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, said: 

As reaffirmed in our Strategy launched earlier this month, Research Ireland is committed to building a world-class environment where talent can pursue curiosity-driven research with real impact. Through this partnership, the Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowships are providing outstanding, early-career researchers with stability and resources they need to advance Ireland’s future, for the benefit of both economy and society.

The University Research Fellowship is a flagship early-career funding scheme, supporting outstanding scientists who have the potential to become future leaders in their fields.  

In 2025, 39 University Research Fellowships were awarded to early-career researchers across the UK and Ireland. The full list of 2025 University Research Fellows can be found here. 

Photo caption: Pictured (l-r): Dr. Tian Carey (Trinity College Dublin), Dr Jennifer Lynch (University College Dublin), Dr Ian Woods (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences). 

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