€1.5MILLION ‘President’s Award’ for Galway academic!

 Photo: Jason Clarke

Professor John Laffey was one of five recipients of the Science Foundation Ireland ‘President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Awards’ – worth a whopping €1.54 million.

Laffey, Professor of Anaesthesia at the School of Medicine in NUI Galway, was honoured by President Michael D. Higgins at a special ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Professor Laffey is also a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at Galway University Hospital.

His basic and translational research is focused on critical illnesses, particularly sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

His major research focus is the investigation of the therapeutic potential of cell therapies for these devastating illnesses.

Commenting on his prestigious award, worth €1.54 million, Professor John Laffey, said: “This Future Research Leaders Award will enable me to relocate my research group to CÚRAM, joining a dynamic group of researchers with leading edge expertise in regenerative medicine, immunology and tissue engineering.

“This world class environment will facilitate the discovery of the potential for stem cells to enhance the response of the immune system to severe sepsis,” he said.

Congratulating Professor Laffey on his award, Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM at NUI Galway, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have someone of John’s calibre join the team at CÚRAM. His experience and expertise will help drive the research agenda at the centre and fits exactly with the strategic aims of CÚRAM, to improve quality of life for patients living with chronic illness.”