The global index recognises the major influence of scientists in their areas of research.
27 researchers from Irish universities and research institutions have made it onto this year’s Highly Cited Researchers list.
The global list, which is compiled by analytics company Clarivate, aims to identify and celebrate individuals who have demonstrated significant influence in their fields of research.
Overall, Clarivate has listed 6,868 individuals working in the sciences and social sciences – given the global number of scientists, the company said this makes the listed researchers 1 in 1,000.
The US received the most citations at more than 37pc, followed by mainland China with nearly 20pc and the UK with about 8pc. Though 60 countries and regions are represented on the list, more than 86pc of those listed are based in just 10 countries.
Irish recognition
Among the Irish institutions, Queen’s University Belfast has the most awardees at eight. Dr Maeliosa McCrudden and Prof Eneko Larrañeta were both listed for their research in pharmacology and toxicology. Larrañeta is developing implantable devices for slow-release drug delivery. Queen’s researchers in engineering, computer science and social sciences were also named.
University College Cork (UCC) has seven researchers on the list. Of those, four work in microbiology, including Prof Colin Hill, who is a founding principal investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland, a multidisciplinary research centre at UCC focused on the role of gut microbiota in health and disease, including groundbreaking work on infant gut bacteria. Prof Liam O’Mahony works in immunology and, among his research areas, was involved in developing our understanding of patient responses to Covid-19.
Trinity College Dublin has three researchers on the list, including Prof Valeria Nicolosi and Prof Jonathan Coleman for their work in materials science. Earlier this year, the pair received funding for a project to investigate more sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.
Image: Valeria Nicolosi
Nicolosi told SiliconRepublic.com that this recognition is “truly a reflection of the hard and wonderful work of my research group – past and present – and it is with them that I share this”. She said she is inspired every day by the people she works with. “I also want to acknowledge the many outstanding collaborators I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years,” she added.
Trinity’s Prof Alan Irvine, who also works as a physician at St James’s Hospital Dublin, was recognised for his work in dermatology. He told SiliconRepublic.com that this “very rewarding” recognition is the sum of 30 years of collaboration and generosity of patients, scientists and funding bodies. “My real hope is that this work has helped to improve the lives of people living with both common and rare skin diseases,” he said.
University of Galway has two researchers on the list – Prof Ines Thiele and Prof Henry Curran. Thiele is pioneering the development of digital twins to help diagnose metabolic diseases and develop personalised treatment strategies. Her team recently created a database of digital microbes to improve drug development and provide public health insights. While Curran’s research looks at the chemistry of how fuels burn in combustors with the aim of increasing efficiencies and reducing emissions.
University College Dublin also has two researchers on the list – Prof Eliana Souto, who works on new drug and gene delivery systems, and computer scientist Dr Madhusanka Liyanage.
Eliana Souto. Image: : Poznań City Hall
Liyanage is currently co-ordinating a major EU-funded consortium, ENSURE 6G, to ensure the security and privacy of next-generation networks, and has just gained funding for an AI-driven 6G experimentation project – “a national first”, according to UCD.
Several other research institutions have one person each featured on the list.
Among these, RSCI University of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Prof Edward Gregg was recognised for his work on chronic diseases. The citation was described by RCSI deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation Prof Fergal O’Brien as “a fantastic recognition of Prof Gregg’s leadership and the global impact of his work”. In 2023, Gregg received €4.3m to fund a new research centre at RCSI aimed at using population data and research platforms to reduce the burden of diseases such as diabetes and obesity in Ireland.
Image: Edward Gregg
Also included are Munster Technological University computer scientist Dr Mubashir Rehmani, whose work focuses on protecting critical national infrastructure from cyberattacks, and Maynooth University psychologist Prof Philip Hyland, who looks at psychological responses to trauma.
Dr Ian O’Connor is head of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Atlantic Technological University. He was recognised for his research on how organisms respond to stressors such as disease and pollution.
While Ulster University’s Prof Mark Shevlin was listed for his work on PTSD, trauma and other mental conditions, as well as the development of testing instruments for psychological assessments.
And finally, Ireland’s national agency for research and training in the agrifood sector Teagasc has a member of its team on the list. Prof Paul Cotter is head of Food Biosciences at Teagasc and a principal investigator with APC Microbiome Ireland and VistaMilk research centres, as well as Food for Health Ireland. He is a molecular microbiologist, with a particular focus on the microbiology of foods, the food chain and of humans.
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