Four senior Irish scientists working in Britain and the US have been shortlisted for the 2001 RDS/Irish Times Boyle Medal award. The medal has been presented to leading Irish scientists for more than a century in recognition of excellence in scientific research.
The shortlist includes (in alphabetical order) Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell, dean of science at the University of Bath; Prof Derek E. G. Briggs, professor of palaeontology at the University of Bristol; Prof Martin C. Carey, professor of medicine and health sciences technology at Harvard University Medical School, Boston; and Prof Garret Adare FitzGerald, head of the department of pharmacology and director of the Centre for Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania.
This is the second Boyle Medal award to be given since the Royal Dublin Society and The Irish Times combined to revise and relaunch the medal programme in 1999, in the medal's centenary year. Originally conceived by the RDS, the medal was first awarded in 1899 and since then more than 30 such awards have been made to leading Irish scientists.
Now presented every other year, the Boyle Medal award alternates between a researcher working in Ireland and an Irish-born researcher working abroad. While the former honours excellence in research conducted in Ireland, the latter is recognition that many fine Irish researchers have sought careers abroad and play a key role in research institutes and universities overseas.
The award takes its name from one of Ireland's most famous scientists, Robert Boyle (1627-1691). Often described as the father of chemistry, he made many important discoveries and formulated the gas pressure laws that are named after him.
The object of the award is to highlight the depth and breadth of research conducted by Irish scientists both in Ireland and abroad. While many would readily point to authors, songwriters and performers as an example of the creative Irish spark, too few people realise the outstanding quality of creative work being carried out in laboratories by Irish scientists.
World-class work is being done every day by Irish researchers in universities, institutes and State laboratories. Many scientists have earned senior positions in some of the leading universities in other countries and now lead teams of researchers towards goals set by their Irish managers.
This year's award recognises our scientific "Wild Geese" and draws attention to their work. The four shortlisted scientists are each expert in their respective fields. Given the quality and significance of their contribution each is also deserving of a Boyle Medal, although only one will receive this distinction.
The four candidates were selected after assessment of the dozens of entries by an initial judging panel. The panel was chaired by Prof Dervilla Donnelly, chair of DIAS, and included: Prof Derek Boyd, Queens University, Belfast; Prof Paul Engel, UCD; Dr Vivian O'Gorman, the RCSI; Dr Columb Collins, Tallaght IT; Dr Cliona O'Farelly, St Vincent's Hospital reseach centre; Prof E. P. Cunnningham, Trinity College, Dublin; Prof Frank Imbusch, NUI Galway; Prof Brian Harvey, UCC; Prof Charles Holland, Trinity College, Dublin, and this reporter.
A separate panel that includes leading international scientists will judge the shortlisted group. These international peers are assessing the entries and a decision will be announced by mid-November.
The RDS/Irish Times Boyle Medal is an example of how both companies are attempting to improve the public understanding of developments in science. The RDS actively seeks to improve understanding through lectures and public events, such as its Youth Science and Arts Week.
The Irish Times publishes the weekly Science Today page, health pages and a technology section in the Business This Week supplement, all meant to help people familiarise themselves with scientific and technological developments.