Welcome
Piracetam Kaleidoscope by Dr Rodrigo Soto and Laura Gonzalez 2020 Bernal Institute Research Image of the Year
2020 was and has been an unusual year to say the
One of our most significant outputs in Bernal are our
least. In Bernal it commenced as an exciting year
people and especially our PhD student graduates.
with our first ever Industry Day in January which
Through YESBernal we work on a daily basis to
delivered contacts and context for the institute and
enhance the student experience but also to develop
Industry partners alike. Our researchers, industry
the careers of the academics and industrialists of the
partners, students and external funding agencies
future. We acknowledge that group in particular for
shared and considered the future and all looked
their continued dedication and exuberance for the role.
bright. In February there was, in the background, a sense that a tsunami was coming from the East
The year concluded with our first ever International
but the hope was this would pass quickly. Then
Virtual Research Day where we reached out to
March 12th came and everything changed, changed
20,000 personnel globally. We had research
utterly and yet another terrible beauty was born.
presentations from colleagues from the UK, Germany, the US, Canada, Italy as well as Bernal colleagues.
Like many organisations Bernal went into fight,
It was a day of celebration with our research
as distinct from flight, recovery mode and while
awards to our community completing the day.
messages from the external environment; ‘research is an essential service’ to ‘Universities and Educational
We look at 2021 and future years with enthusiasm.
organisations should remain closed’ were conflicting,
Internally we have great plans for revitalising teaching
Bernal set about the challenge with gusto. It was
programmes at under and post graduate level across
the first entity in UL to return to work in early June
departments within UL. We are targeting significant
and laid the pathway for others to follow. That
EU programmes at the Excellent Science level while
energy and vitality is what we live by in Bernal
also engaging with our chosen Industry partners on
and it is abound throughout the organisation.
international and national platforms. Our support
Like many in recent times we have suffered loss
team and Instrument Scientists are, as always
within our community. The indefatigable Ian
ready, willing and able to assist in all of the above.
Quinn, member of our supervisory board lost
We are delighted to bring the first Bernal Institute
his long battle with illness during the year. And
report which demonstrates how, in a crisis, the spirit of the community has not only achieved
Our cover photo is taken from our recently hosted
like with so many others in these times we were
targets, they have been surpassed beyond all
International research day astrum.ie. Astrum
unable to express our sympathies in person with
expectations. This is evident in our publication
is the Latin word meaning heavenly body or
his family. We would like to acknowledge Ian’s
quality and quantity in the year. Our renewed
constellation. We invite you to come on this journey
unflinching support and commitment to Bernal,
membership within 2020 has led the way here.
with us in Bernal as we ‘reach for the stars’.
a true innovator, an inspiration and a friend.
This report gives a snapshot of some of the
2020 also saw the very untimely and sudden
outstanding research that is taking place in Bernal.
passing of our beloved friend and colleague,
We also take some time to explain our strategy to
David O’Connor - Doc, as he was known to us
become world leading in structured materials and
all, was in the final year of his PhD studies under
on how we are tackling global grand challenges and
the supervision of Professor Mikah Walsh.
UN sustainable development goals in the areas of
One of the bright young lights within Bernal,
Health, Energy and the Environment. In this report,
a character whose personality touched all that
we showcase just some of the 65 Principal
were in his presence, his passing has left a void
Investigators (PIs) but there is a lot more
in our community that will never be replaced.
happening than can be shared in a single report across our four research clusters of Bio
Luuk van der Wielen
Jon O’Halloran
Materials, Composite Materials, Molecular &
Director
General Manager
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.
Nano Materials and Process Engineering. 6
7
