Taoiseach Micheál Martin awards 2026 Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medal to two global pharmaceutical research leaders
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has today presented the prestigious Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medal for 2026 to Prof. Lynne S. Taylor, Retter Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy at Purdue University, and Dr Sarah O’Keeffe, Group Vice President for Product Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company.
The Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day medal each year honours exceptional academic and industry leaders with strong Irish roots who, from their positions in the United States, continue to champion and support Ireland’s research community.
Presenting both recipients with their medals in Washington D.C., Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated:
“Today, we honour two outstanding scientific leaders whose achievements exemplify the very best of our global research community. Professor Taylor and Dr O’Keeffe demonstrate how members of the Irish diaspora, working at the highest levels in the United States, are helping to shape the future of medicine and strengthen international partnerships. Their respective work has enhanced Ireland’s reputation as a leader in research and innovation, and reflects both the deep and enduring ties between Ireland and the U.S, and our shared commitment to scientific excellence. I am delighted to recognise their leadership and achievements here today, and to celebrate the impact they continue to make on behalf of Ireland.”
Professor Lynne S. Taylor, the 2026 recipient of the Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medal for Academia, is the Retter Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy at Purdue University. As a global authority on drug formulation science, her research provides the foundation for critical solubility-enabling technologies that enable the delivery of life-saving treatments for diseases such as cancer and hepatitis C infection.
An Irish citizen, Prof. Taylor has championed Irish pharmaceutical science through her long-standing advisory role with SSPC, the Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals, collaboration with universities, and PhD student mentorship. As Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Pharmaceutics, she elevated the international profile of Irish research by dedicating a special 2024 issue to pharmaceutical research from across the island of Ireland. Through her commitment to women in STEM and mentorship of emerging scientists, she has built a formidable talent pipeline, with many former group members now holding prominent positions globally.
Accepting the Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medal for Academia, Prof. Taylor commented:
“It is a great honour to receive this award from Ireland’s research and innovation agency. For many years I have been involved with championing Irish research and supporting scientists at every stage of their development, across Ireland and globally. Whether serving as a mentor, advisor, collaborator, or guest speaker, these interactions with Irish scientists have been deeply rewarding. It is a privilege to continue playing a role in fostering greater connectivity and knowledge exchange between the United States and Ireland, and I am confident that the long-standing bonds between our two countries will grow even stronger into the future.”
Dr Sarah O’Keeffe, Group Vice President for Product Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company, is the recipient of the Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medal for Industry. A graduate of University College Cork, she has become one of the most senior Irish leaders in global pharmaceutical R&D, overseeing more than 1,000 scientists and engineers who translate discovery molecules into medicines for patients worldwide. Dr O’Keeffe has been central to major advances in drug development, including the development of the investigational drug candidate orforglipron, which was recognised by TIME magazine for its potential global health impact in management of diabetes and obesity.
Dr O’Keeffe began her career with Lilly in Indianapolis, and has played a central role in advancing manufacturing capabilities at the company’s Kinsale site, earning the facility the IPSE Global Facility of the Year Award for Innovation in 2017. Now a central figure in the development of the $4.5 billion Lilly Medicine Foundry, she exemplifies how Irish scientific talent can shape the future of advanced biopharma innovation on the global stage.
On receiving her Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medal for Industry, Dr O’Keeffe said:
“I am delighted and proud to receive this recognition from Research Ireland. I would like, firstly, to acknowledge UCC for being the launchpad for my career in industry. I’d also like to thank all my Lilly colleagues in Ireland, United States and internationally over the last two decades, for their extraordinary commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence. Pharmaceutical research endeavours are a team pursuit, and collective passion and perseverance through times of challenge – and often, failure – is how progress and success happens. It has been a pleasure to have shared my journey to date with such talented colleagues who have the patient front and centre in all that they do.”
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, said:
“Professor Taylor and Dr O’Keeffe embody the vision we have for Ireland’s research future: excellence, ambition, and far-reaching impact. Their track records to date demonstrate how Irish researchers and global leaders with strong connections to Ireland, play a critical role in advancing scientific discovery in a spirit of international collaboration. As Research Ireland continues to build a more connected, dynamic and competitive national research system, their achievements remind us of the extraordinary potential of Irish talent on the global stage. We are delighted to celebrate them today, and we look forward to further strengthening the links they have helped forge between Ireland, the United States, and the wider international research community.”
Image caption: Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medalists for 2026, Prof. Lynne S. Taylor, Retter Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy at Purdue University (Academic Medal), and Dr Sarah O’Keeffe, Group Vice President for Product Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company (Industry Medal), photographed at the medal award event with Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO at Research Ireland. Photo by Taylor Mickal.
