Two Irish researchers from DCU and TCD have won an opportunity to head to Silicon Valley and meet with business and scientific research pioneers. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is funding the trip, which will be hosted by the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG).
The two researchers are Dr Paul Leonard, a research fellow and lead investigator at the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University, and Dr Kevin Koidl, a Trinity College Dublin-based post-doctoral researcher in the Centre for Next Generation Localisation (CNGL).
The duo were among 11 Irish-based researchers who have just emerged from a four-month technology commercialisation programme at DCU Ryan Academy.
SFI’s Technology Innovation Development Award (TIDA) funded the programme.
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Pictured, from left: Cian Hughes, head of operations, ITLG; Ann Horan, CEO, DCU Ryan Academy; Paul Leonard, researcher at Biomedical Diagnostics Institute; Kevin Koidl, a researcher at the Centre for Next Generation Localisation; and Janice Murtagh of Science Foundation Ireland
At the end of their stint at the Ryan Academy, each of the 11 researchers had to pitch their ideas to a judging panel of Irish-based business leaders. The trip to San Jose, California, was awarded to the best pitches.
Cian Hughes, head of operations at ITLG, chaired the pitch process.
Panelists included Dr John McKeon, president and co-founder of Airmid Health Group, and Ann Horan, chief executive of DCU Ryan Academy.
