In the News..

 University of Galway will host the 2026 AtlanTec Conference, exploring how artificial intelligence can be developed and deployed with a renewed focus on human values. This year’s theme is Intelligence Augmented – the Frontier of Human Judgement and features influential thinkers on technology and society, including entrepreneur Mark Little, the founder of Storyful and co-founder of Kinzen. The AtlanTec Conference takes place on Thursday May 14th at University of Galway as part of the 12th AtlanTec Festival. The conference is set to attract more than 400 delegates, including international speakers and representatives from leading technology companies in the region and beyond, and aligns closely with the University’s research strengths in data, AI, and responsible innovation. President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “The AtlanTec Conference reflects the University’s commitment to advancing responsible, human-centred AI. We look forward to welcoming our partners and the technology community to campus for this annual event. This year’s conference aligns strongly with our Transformative Data and AI research pillar, where responsible innovation is central to ensuring technology delivers meaningful benefits to society.” The AtlanTec Festival, which celebrates innovation and technology in the west of Ireland, is organised by itag (Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway). The conference is brought to campus through the support of the University’s Innovation Office, in partnership with the School of Computer Science and an extensive number of industry partners. Headlining the conference are: Mark Little, founder of Storyful and co-founder of Kinzen, will share insights drawn from his career at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. A former RTÉ foreign correspondent and presenter, he has been at the forefront of efforts to address misinformation and build trusted digital information systems. Dr Lollie Mancey, Programme Director at the UCD Innovation Academy. Known for her engaging and thought-provoking contributions across media and public discourse, Dr Mancey’s work focuses on the ethical and emotional dimensions of emerging technologies, including the evolving relationship between humans and AI systems. Professor Paul Buitelaar, Deputy Director of the Data Science Institute at the University of Galway, will deliver a keynote address titled, Neuro-Symbolic AI: A New Direction for AI Development and Deployment. The 2026 AtlanTec Conference brings together leading voices from industry, academia, and the public sector, with participation from organisations including Medtronic, Fidelity, Genesys, Datavant and University of Galway spin-out Senus, alongside a broad range of innovators and practitioners across Ireland’s technology ecosystem. Sharon Walsh, Senior Vice-President, Fidelity Investments and Chair of itag, said: “The conference comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. We are at a tipping point. As we move further into an AI-accelerated world, the perspectives of thinkers like Mark and Lollie are essential. This year’s conference at University of Galway is about ensuring technology is developed in a way that serves humanity, not the other way around.” The event will include the official announcement of the winners of the festival’s AtlanTec AI Challenge. The University of Galway Innovation Office is supported under the KT Boost Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. Tickets for the AtlanTec Conference are available on Eventbrite. Ends

A leading researcher has joined University of Galway on a prestigious Wellcome Trust award specialising on the science of cell division and DNA copies, to further understand cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr Mihailo Mirkovic will lead a research programme that looks at how cells divide and split their DNA correctly, and how faulty attachment between the DNA copies causes errors and the consequences these errors have on development. The majority of Wellcome Trust Awards for scientific research in Ireland are held by academics based at University of Galway. Dr Mirkovic will establish a research group within the University’s Centre for Chromosome Biology, which is led by Professor Noel Lowndes and is embedded within the University’s Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, led by Institute Director Professor Ted Vaughan. President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “We are proud to welcome Dr Mirkovic to the University of Galway. Attracting leading researchers of his calibre strengthens our mission to be a university for the world, defined by excellence, ambition and impact. The Wellcome Trust Career Development Award is among the most prestigious research awards internationally, and it is a testament both to Dr Mirkovic’s achievements and to the vibrant research ecosystem we have built here at Galway.” Professor Walter Gear, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, said: “It is fantastic to see another major Wellcome Trust award coming to Galway. There are relatively few such awards in Ireland, and the fact that the majority are based here at University of Galway speaks volumes about the strength of our scientific community and our growing reputation as a hub for world-class research. Dr Mirkovic’s arrival further elevates that momentum.” Dr Mirkovic’s research will explore how cellular stress and disruptions to RNA processing -the body’s worker molecule that carries out the instructions stored in DNA - drive chromosome instability and adaptive evolution in fungi, work that has broad implications for understanding evolutionary dynamics, the emergence of antifungal resistance and genome maintenance to prevent chromosome abnormalities that can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Dr Mihailo Mirkovic, Centre for Chromosome Biology, University of Galway, said: “I am honoured to receive the Wellcome Trust Career Development Award and excited to establish my group at the University of Galway. This award would not be possible without the support of my future colleagues from The Centre for Chromosome Biology, my collaborators and my two mentors, Raquel Oliveira and Yves Barral. The Centre for Chromosome Biology provides an outstanding environment for fundamental research, and I look forward to contributing to its scientific community and Irish science in general.” Professor Noel Lowndes, Director of the Centre for Chromosome Biology, University of Galway, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Mirkovic to the Centre for Chromosome Biology. His innovative research vision and track record of excellence make him an exceptional addition to our community of worldclass chromosome and genome researchers. We are immensely grateful to the Wellcome Trust for their ongoing support for our work.” Professor Ted Vaughan, Director of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, University of Galway, said: “Dr Mirkovic’s work aligns strongly with our mission to transform biological understanding into impact. We look forward to supporting the growth and success of his research programme at Galway.” Dr Mirkovic’s research programme is supported by a Wellcome Trust Career Development Award, which focuses on mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders. The funding enables them to develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work and deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. Originally from Montenegro, Dr Mirkovic has an international research career spanning Serbia, Portugal and Switzerland. He completed his undergraduate and master’s studies in molecular biology and physiology at the University of Belgrade, before undertaking a PhD at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência in Portugal under the supervision of Dr Raquel Oliveira. Ends

The Access Centre at University of Galway is inviting prospective students, parents, guidance counsellors, educators, and community organisations to attend its upcoming Access Programmes Information Evening. The event takes place on Wednesday May 6th at 6pm in the Human Biology Building, University of Galway. Designed for school leavers and mature students who may not have previously considered university, the Access programmes support individuals from low-income backgrounds, those living with long-term disabilities and anyone feels that higher education may be beyond their reach. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the Access and Foundation programmes, learn about the wide range of academic and personal supports available, and hear first-hand from past students who have successfully progressed to university. Through modules such as the Professional Engagement Module (PEM), students benefit from practical workplace experience, with partner organisations including Grant Thornton, Medtronic and the University’s School of Education for those interested in teaching, with participants supported throughout by mentors. Staff from the Access Centre will be available throughout the event to answer questions in an informal and welcoming setting.             Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Academic Manager for Access Programmes at the University, said: “Our Access Programmes are about opening doors and creating opportunities. We work with people who may have faced barriers to education and support them not only academically, but also in building the confidence and self-belief needed to succeed. This information evening is a chance for anyone considering a return to education to explore what’s possible in a supportive and encouraging environment.”             Niamh Burke, former student now working with Medtronic and recently returned as a mentor on the programme, said: “This year felt like a full-circle moment for me. After completing the Access Programme, I went on to study Commerce and a master’s degree, and through my work, I recently returned as a mentor supporting students on the Professional Engagement Module. I would strongly encourage anyone considering university, regardless of their background or circumstances, to get in touch with the Access Centre.” The event forms part of the University’s ongoing commitment to widening participation and ensuring higher education is accessible to all, regardless of background or life circumstances. Further information, including programme details, application forms, and registration is available at: universityofgalway.ie/access/entryroutes/accessandfoundationprogrammes/ Ends