Two University of Galway academic researchers have been named on the annual Highly Cited Researchers 2023 list from Clarivate.
Professors Afshin Samali and Patrick W. Serruys are included in the prestigious list of almost 7,000 researchers from more than 1,300 institutions who have demonstrated significant influence in their fields with multiple highly cited papers over the last decade.
Professor Afshin Samali, listed in the Cross-Field category, is Professor and Chair of Cancer Biology at the College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway and Director of the Apoptosis Research Centre.
He is a leading cancer biologist with expertise in the field of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death/survival signalling in cancer, with a successful research career spanning over 30 years.
One of Professor Samali’s areas of research relates to cell behaviour of triple negative breast cancer.
He is a researcher with CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland research centre for medical devices, based at University of Galway and with Precision Oncology Ireland.
Afshin Samali fled Iran and came to Ireland as a refugee aged 17 due to persecution of members of the Bahai’i Faith.
He is on the University of Galway’s Universities of Sanctuary Programme committee and has been supporting Afghan refugees in their efforts to access third level education in Ireland.
Professor Patrick W. Serruys, listed in the Clinical Medicine category, is Established Professor of Interventional Medicine and Innovation, Director of the CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Laboratory at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Professor Serruys is a world-renowned expert in interventional cardiology and imaging with more than four decades experience in clinical trials and innovation in medicine. He has pioneered several interventional procedures and devices as well as imaging techniques.
Bar Veinstein, President of Academia and Government at Clarivate, said that they celebrate the Highly Cited Researchers whose contributions transform the world by helping to make it healthier, more sustainable and more secure.
“Recognition of Highly Cited Researchers not only validates research excellence but also enhances reputation, fosters collaboration, and informs resource allocation, acting as a beacon for academic institutions and commercial organisations,” he said.