Each year, Neuroscience Ireland selects a neuroscientist to honour either through their “Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award” scheme, or through their “Early Career Investigator Award” scheme.
Awards are presented to outstanding research scientists who have made exciting basic science or clinical contributions to the field of neuroscience. For the “Early Career Investigator Award”, nominees must be members of the Society, be within 8 years of receiving their terminal degree (PhD or MD), and not yet in an academic position.
Nominations can be made by emailing us neuroscienceireland@gmail.com, including brief reason for your nomination.
The NSI Distinguished Investigator Award is given in memory of our dear friend and former President of Neuroscience Ireland, Tom Connor, who passed away at too young an age in 2013. The Award is presented to an exceptional research scientist from Ireland or based on the island of Ireland who has made an exceptional contribution to the field of neuroscience.
“We have lost an exceptional academic and, more importantly, a wonderful person who was kind, considerate and respectful to everyone he met. We are very fortunate to have worked with him, been taught by him, mentored by him, befriended by him and inspired by him. He will be greatly missed.”
Previous Awardees
Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award
2022: Prof. Geraldine Boylan, UCC
2020: Prof. Orla Hardiman, TCD
2019: Prof. Ray Dolan, UCL
2017: Prof. John Cryan, UCC
2015: Prof. Paul Kenny, USA
2013: Prof. Marina Lynch, TCD
2012: Prof. John Foxe, USA
2011: Prof. Brian Leonard, NUI Galway
Early Career Investigator Award
The Award is presented to an outstanding research scientist who has made exciting basic science or clinical contributions to the field of neuroscience. Nominees for this award must be members of the Society, be within 8 years of receiving their terminal degree (PhD or MD), and not yet in an academic position.
2021: Dr Roisin McMackin, TCD
2020: Dr Peter Murphy, TCD
2018: Dr Kathy Ruddy, TCD
2016: Dr. Shane Hegarty, UCC
2013: Dr. Eric Downer, UCC
2012: Dr. Tobias Engel, RCSI