NUI Maynooth Researchers Receive Fulbright Scholarships

10th June 2011

 

Two researchers from NUI Maynooth have been awarded Fulbright scholarships to undertake research in the US. Lorcan Walsh, a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering will pursue his research at Harvard Medical School, and Ronan Doherty, a PhD candidate in Nua-Ghaeilge will travel to the University of Notre Dame.

The Fulbright Awards, jointly established in 1957 by the Irish and US governments under the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, provide Irish and US students, scholars and professionals with the opportunity to study, lecture and research at leading universities and institutions in the US and Ireland respectively.

Lorcan Walsh, a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering at NUI Maynooth, will pursue his research in the US at the Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School specialising in the development of novel non-contact technologies to investigate the sleep and sleeping patterns of older adults.

Ronan Doherty, PhD candidate in Nua-Ghaeilge at NUI Maynooth will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.

Commenting on the awards, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Eamon Gilmore, T.D. congratulated the recipients and said: “The Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange represents not just a commitment to the best educational standards for the successful recipients but also a joint investment by both governments to ever closer ties between our two countries, supporting, as President Obama put it recently in Dublin, the people who make the future happen.”

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. John Hennessey-Niland of the US Embassy in Ireland said: “The Fulbright Awards are one of the most important collaborative initiatives between our two countries. I wish this year’s Irish recipients every success during their term in the U.S. In addition to the important academic and professional experience you are about to embark on, I trust you will make friendships that will remain long after you return to Ireland.

Una Halligan, Chairperson of the Fulbright Commission of Ireland concluded: “Each of the successful candidates was chosen not only on the basis of their individual merits but also because they displayed exceptional leadership ability which is inherent to Fulbright. Great ideas are borne out of people’s ability to think creatively, to collaborate well with others and to follow through in order to make things happen. These recipients are some of the finest in their disciplines; I have no doubt they will be outstanding representatives for this country and will thrive and make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.”

Lorcan Walsh (top pciture) and Ronan Doherty with Una Halligan, Chairperson of the Fulbright Commission

 

Ends

Issued by the Communications Office 01-7086160

 

• See also NUI Maynooth: Making the News

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