TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY today presented a US based Irish scientist with the inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal at an Science Foundation Ireland hosted event in Washington DC.

Kenny is in Washington DC this week ahead of St Patrick’s Day.

The award was given to Dr. Garret A. FitzGerald to recognise his achievements as a distinguished Irish scientist or engineer, living and working in the USA, in particular their contribution back to Ireland.

The Taoiseach said:

Dr. FitzGerald’s achievements in his field are hugely outstanding and it is important that we in Ireland join those in the international scientific community who have already recognised his significant contribution to science.

Cardiac disease

Dr. FitzGerald’s research is focused in the area of biomedical cardiovascular pharmacology and in particular the effects of pain medicines on cardiac systems. He was instrumental in the discoveries relating to the use of low-dose aspirin in preventing cardiac disease.

He said that the “US remains the most innovative and supportive environment in which to pursue scientific research and the ties that bind us have delivered wonderful opportunities to the Irish people to harvest that resource to the benefit of scientific development at home,” he said, adding that it was a great honor for him to receive the award today.

While in Washington DC today, Kenny also welcomed the announcement that the Cork-based Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT) has signed a research partnership with Waters Corporation.

INFANT Centre

The new research programme will see Waters make an investment into the Science Foundation Ireland funded INFANT Centre at University College Cork with a view to bringing ground-breaking innovations from Irish research to patients in need worldwide.

“This partnership is further evidence of the great progress Ireland has made in developing partnerships between industry and academia to deliver excellence in research and innovation. This new research programme has potential to make a real difference to the health of mothers and babies,” said the Taoiseach.

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