TUS confers largest ever cohort of PhDs 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 Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Westmeath.

In total, the university conferred 26 PhDs and 19 masters 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.

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. 

Congratulating the graduates, VP for Research, Development and Innovation at TUS Dr Liam Brown said the conferral 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.

The number of TUS PhD and research master’s graduates this year grew by 73 percent and 111 percent, respectively, in comparison to 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.

Dean of Graduate Studies Dr Lisa Moran said; “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.”