NUI Galway academic Professor Frank Barry has been elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (https://www.ria.ie/about) for his exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service. The NUI Galway academic was among 27 new members admitted to the academy by Dr Mary Canning, President of the Academy, in a virtual ceremony on May 21st, 2021.
Frank Barry is a Professor of Cellular Therapy at the Regenerative Medicine Institute in NUI Galway and Visiting Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute in Toronto. His research interests include stem cell biology and the development of cell-based repair strategies for osteoarthritis. In a career that has spanned both industry and academic research, he has contributed to the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by developing innovative and successful cellular therapies for tissue repair, joint injury and arthritic disease. He has published widely in the areas of mesenchymal stromal cell biology, cartilage repair and cellular therapy, and has been the recipient of the Marshall Urist Award for excellence in tissue regeneration research from the Orthopaedic Research Society.
Welcoming the newly admitted members, Dr Mary Canning, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said: ‘These 27 new members are recognised for their scholarly achievements, typically reflecting many years of research, or for significant contributions to Irish society. They bring international academic distinction to our country and we should be immensely proud of these remarkable women and men. As Members of the Academy, they will strengthen our capacity to provide expert advice on Higher Education and Research policy.”
Election to membership of the Royal Irish Academy is the highest academic distinction in Ireland. The Academy has been honouring Ireland’s leading contributors to the world of learning since its establishment in 1785 and currently have 637 members.
