Professor Mark Ferguson has been appointed as the new Director General of Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) by the Board of the SFI. He will take up the post Monday January 16 2012.
Prof Ferguson is a graduate of Queens University of Belfast with degrees in Dentistry (BDS 1st class honours), Anatomy and Embryology (BSc 1st class honours, PhD) and Medical Sciences (DMedSc). He holds Fellowships from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Ireland (FFD) and Edinburgh (FDS) and is a Founding Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci).
He was appointed Professor in Life Sciences at the University of Manchester in 1984 and is currently Honorary Professor of Life Sciences at the University. Prof. Ferguson is the recipient of numerous international awards, prizes, medals and honours for his research.
Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD has welcomed the appointment and the “proven calibre of Professor Ferguson”. He added: “I now look forward to working closely with Professor Ferguson and SFI to further enhancing Ireland’s research and commercialisation credentials at home and abroad.”
SFI invests in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science and engineering underpinning three broad areas: biotechnology; information and communications technology; and sustainable energy and energy efficient technologies. According to its website, the SFI, as the State’s principal research funding agency, it plays a key role in enhancing Ireland’s human capital in strategic areas of scientific endeavour relevant to the future competitiveness of Irish industry and enterprise.
In a recent PAI Journal, the now departing Director General of Science Foundation of Ireland, John Travers, discusses the role of SFI and outlines how scientific research can enhance competitive advantage. To view this article click here.