UCD academic and entrepreneur Prof Barry Smyth named SFI Researcher of the Year 2014
Pictured: Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English, Prof Barry Smyth and Prof Mark Ferguson
UCD’s Prof Barry Smyth has been named the Science Foundation Ireland Researcher of the Year 2014.
The award was announced last night by Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English at the SFI Science Summit, which was attended by 300 researchers.
Prof Smyth is an international expert on personalisation technologies and recommender systems and has been recognised by his peers for his “exceptional research accomplishments and contribution to the Irish scientific community” over the past year.
He holds the digital chair of computer science in UCD’s School of Computer Science and Informatics. He is a co-founder of ChangingWorlds, which was acquired by Amdocs Inc in 2008 for US$60m, and is chief scientist and co-founder of Irish collaborative search analytics company, HeyStaks.
“Prof Smyth exemplifies the theme of this year’s SFI Science Summit 2014 – ‘Illustrating Impact’,” said Minister English. “An experienced entrepreneur, he has been able to translate his research into the commercial world.
“Barry is adept at straddling the worlds of research and commerce, and was one of the driving forces behind Insight – Ireland’s Data Analytics Research Centre established in 2013 through the SFI Research Centres Programme. Insight is developing innovative new technologies of critical importance to Ireland’s future economic success. His experience and expertise has brought about a highly successful collaboration between academia and industry, ultimately delivering a commercial impact and generating job creation opportunities in Ireland.”
SFI director general Prof Mark Ferguson said Prof Smyth is working at the cutting edge, putting Ireland at the forefront of the big data analytics and the sensor web revolution. “His research illustrates the positive benefits that investment in the Irish scientific community can unlock.”
“The journey to here has been an unusual and exciting one because I have been able to combine my research interests with commercial opportunities,” said Prof Smyth. “It is hugely fulfilling to see the product of research make an impact in the real-world. It has been possible only because of the support of UCD, SFI and the Irish government, as well as the hard work of dozens of students and collaborators, and for this I am very grateful.”
Grainne Rothery