Tag Archives: University of Limerick

Scientists at University of Limerick have created a testing solution for COVID-19 amid worldwide shortages of the crucial materials. In response to the global shortage of reagents and extraction kits for COVID-19 testing, scientists at UL’s Bernal Institute, plus the departments of chemical and biological sciences at UL, joined forces with other research centres and institutes to source materials and prepare a testing solution, which has fallen short of supply. The Lysis Buffer solution, which is critical for DNA extraction, was validated at University Hospital Limerick, where it is now being used. Dr Edel Durack, Instrument Scientist at Bernal Bio Laboratories and a team of technicians from the School of Natural Sciences at UL, prepared the solution, which is required to generate results from patient swabs. The solution can now be used for COVID-19 testing across Ireland. Pharmaceutical companies can now also rapidly produce batches of this solution to help meet the demand for testing patients. Dr Durack explained: “This …

The University of Limerick has been named University of the Year 2019 in the Sunday Times Good University Guide. Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide outlined that the University of the Year status is well deserved and marks its second success in five years in receiving the title. “The University is at the economic heart of this Mid West city and the wider region, attracting brains and resources in equal measure. Its graduates are among the most employable in Ireland, prepared for work by practical courses and a work placement and internship programme second to none, which spans 1,600 employers at home and overseas,” he said. UL’s leading position in graduate employability, its cooperative education and internship programmes, its research in partnership with industry and the opening of the €31million new Glucksman Library were among the many reasons for the award. UL previously claimed the title of Sunday Times Irish University of the Year in 2015. “The University of …

A new study measuring the effects of resistance training on people with depression has revealed that activities such as weightlifting result in significant improvements in depressive symptoms. A review of 33 clinical trials, comprising 1,877 participants in total, found that when compared to non-active control conditions, resistance training was comparable in effect to frontline treatments such as antidepressant and behavioural therapies. The study, entitled Association of Efficacy of Resistance Exercise Training With Depressive Symptoms; Meta-analysis and Meta-regression Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, was published online in JAMA Psychiatry. Brett R. Gordon of the Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department at University of Limerick said, “The effect of strength training on symptoms of depression compares to the effects of other common treatments, like antidepressant medication and behavioural therapies. Strength training or weight lifting, is free from the negative side effects and high costs of many medications and therapies. Strength or resistance training can also be carried out alongside the other therapies.” …

The School of Education and the Physics Department at University of Limerick has been awarded Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Bronze Department Awards. The award recognises and celebrates good practice towards the advancement of gender equality and specifically representation, progression and success for all. In particular, the charter was set up to encourage the advancement of careers for women in STEM, and higher education and research. The School of Education will be the first School of Education to receive an award in the higher education sector in Ireland. Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council and the Health Research Board require Irish HEIs to secure Athena SWAN Bronze awards by the end of 2019 to ensure they are eligible to compete for research funding allocated by any of the three agencies. By the end of 2023 HEIs will be required to hold Athena SWAN Silver awards to be eligible for research funding. University of Limerick was one of the …

University of Limerick’s Governing Authority has appointed former Tánaiste Mary Harney as Chancellor of University of Limerick and Chairperson of UL’s Governing Authority. Mary Harney, who retired from politics in 2011 and is now the director of a number of private companies in pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology and financial services sectors, will take up office as UL Chancellor immediately. The Office of UL Chancellor is honorary and Ms Harney’s tenure will extend to 2022. Mary Harney was born in Galway, studied economics at Trinity College and was the first woman auditor of the “Hist” debating society. After graduation she spent a year teaching mathematics and economics in Castleknock College. In 1977, her political career began when she was appointed to the Senate, becoming the youngest ever member of Seanad Éireann. She continued to make history throughout her 34-year career in politics. Ever ready to challenge the status quo, Mary Harney’s entire political life has been characterised by a passion for reform, …

AN Ennis resident has won two international business awards for public relations and communications in Barcelona. Nicola Corless, originally from Mayo but who has been living in Ennis for the past 10 years is to receive a Gold and a Silver Stevie® Award at the 14th Annual International Business Awards, which will be held in Barcelona in October. The awards recognise her work within the Marketing and Communications Division of University of Limerick. UL was the outright winner in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Global Issues category for which it will receive a Gold Stevie® Award. The university marketing and communications division also won a Silver Stevie® Award in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Low Budget (Under $10,000 / € 7,000) category. Judges described the public relations campaign, Meet the Mesentery, The Organ Hiding in Plain Sight, led by UL’s Communications Officer Nicola Corless, as “an excellent showcase of PR skills and story-telling …

Clare Champion journalist Carol Byrne has again been acknowledged for her outstanding work in the field of legal reportage and features. At the annual Justice Media Awards event, held in Dublin on Thursday (June 22), Carol received her fifth Justice Media accolade for her story on how law researchers at the University of Limerick worked with the late Judge Michael Reilly, Ireland’s first inspector of prisons, on a report recommending the creation of a database to record deaths in Irish prisons. The judging panel awarded a certificate of merit in the regional print category to the Ennis resident for her article entitled ‘Breaking new ground in prison law: the late Judge Michael Reilly’. The graduates’ work with the late Judge Michael Reilly, was compiled in a report which was presented to Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald last year. The Justice Media Awards recognise outstanding print and broadcast journalism that contributes to the public’s understanding of law and justice, the legal system, or specific …

THE Blas International Summer School at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in University of Limerick (UL) is linking up with Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy to offer students an opportunity to extend their immersion in traditional music studies. Students attending Blas from June 19 to 30 can also enrol in the Dúchas an Cheoil/Scope of Irish Traditional Music course at the Willie Clancy Summer School from July 1 to 9. This collaboration will offer students an accredited programme based at UL and Miltown Malbay. This initiative will enable students to earn university accreditation worth three undergraduate credits. Students wishing to pursue accreditation will be required to complete both the second week of Blas and the Scope of Irish Traditional Music Course at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. Over the past 40 years, the Willie Clancy Summer School has attracted thousands of students and followers of Irish traditional music from all over the world. On average, 40% of the annual …