TUS confers largest ever cohort of PhD and research master’s students

The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) conferred its largest ever cohort of PhD and research master’s students this month across its campuses in the Midlands and Midwest.

In total, the university conferred 26 PhDs and 19 master’s by research students, including its first award of a PhD in Civil Engineering to Dr Ana Caroline da Costa Santos and the conferral of Dr Patrick Ruane, the first PhD candidate to transfer from TUS’s research master’s in manufacturing digitalisation, supported by Johnson and Johnson Vision and IBEC’s Irish Medical Device Association.

Dr Ana Caroline da Costa Santos, recipient of TUS’s first PhD in Civil Engineering, is pictured with supervisor Dr Paul Archbold and TUS President Prof. Vincent Cunnane. Photo credit: Jeff Harvey.

The graduating cohort were supported by supervisors with expertise and research excellence in a variety of areas including advanced manufacturing, engineering, life sciences, biopharmaceuticals, information and computer technology, creative industries and sustainable development.

Recently graduated TUS PhD candidates based on the Moylish campus are pictured with their supervisors, Dr Liam Brown, VP for RDI, and TUS staff.

VP for Research, Development and Innovation at TUS Dr Liam Brown congratulated the graduates on their achievements and said the conferral of awards showcased the diversity and depth of research in TUS.

“From animation and addiction to extended reality and the societal benefits of biodegradable polymer and breakthrough biotechnology developments, the applied nature of our research was evident through the many graduates that were supported by industry partners and community stakeholders,” he said.

Founded in 2021, TUS is a young technological university, which provides unwavering support, accessibility and opportunities for all, with PhD and research master’s graduates growing 73 percent and 111 percent, respectively, in comparison with 2022 figures.

In addition to the President Doctoral Scholarship, students were supported by a wide range of national agencies and industries including Science Foundation Ireland, Irish Research Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, DAFM Enterprise Ireland, IBEC, Irish Medtech Association, Irish MedTech Skillnet, Johnson and Johnson, Cook Medical and Zimmer Biomet.

TUS PhD candidates stand on the grass underneath a horse chestnut tree holding up their graduation parchments and smiling, wearing red and navy ceremonial graduation attire. — 18 PhDs across four faculties were conferred in Athlone, with a further eight conferred in Moylish, making it the largest conferral of PhDs by TUS or its forebears, AIT and LIT. Photo credit: Jeff Harvey.

Dean of Graduate Studies Dr Lisa Moran said, “The TUS Graduate School endeavours to provide students with a world-class educational experience through state-of-the-art research and cutting-edge technologies in a variety of disciplinary fields. We are a collaborative, creative and innovative team, working closely with internationally renowned researchers across all of our campuses.

Photographed L – R: Dr Siobhán Moane, Dr Patrick Walsh, Dr Patrick Ruane, Dr John Cosgrove and Dr Liam Brown.

“The societal impacts of our graduates reach the far corners of the earth across a multitude of areas including healthcare, robotics, software, sustainability, science, the arts and humanities. We are immensely proud of all our graduates.

“As they embark on the next phase of their academic and professional journeys, these scholars will continue to make significant contributions to their respective fields, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and shaping the future.”