TWO UCC professors have been named as the Researchers of the Year by Science Foundation Ireland.
Professor Geraldine Boylan and Professor Louise Kenny, the joint directors of INFANT at Cork University Maternity Hospital, were given the prize yesterday evening by Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation Damien English TD, becoming both the first joint winners and the first female winners of the prize.
The accolade comes in recognition of their ground-breaking work in reducing the burden of disease and disability associated with the period just before and after birth.
Professor Boylan a world-leading expert in newborn brain function, and Professor Kenny, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, are described as global leaders in their fields by Minister English.
Professors Boylan and Kenny said:
“We are delighted to receive this award. Every single day, somewhere in the world over 800 young women die as a direct result of pregnancy or childbirth, and in the same 24 hour period over 15,000 babies will be stillborn or will die within days of birth. Many millions more who survive will live with long-term disability.”
Professor Geraldine Boylan – Professor of Neonatal Physiology and a world-leading expert in newborn brain function and Professor Louise Kenny – Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (joint Directors of INFANT). Picture Jason Clarke.