In a significant achievement for University College Dublin (UCD), two of its researchers have been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants. These grants are part of the EU Horizon Europe programme, which aims to support pioneering research initiatives. This year, the programme has allocated nearly €780 million to 494 young scholars, with seven projects being hosted in Ireland.
Among the recipients, Dr. Junli Xu, an Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering and a UCD Conway Fellow, has been awarded €1.5 million for her project titled 'Machine Learning Combined with Spectral Imaging for Inferring the Toxicity of Micro- and Nanoplastics' (PlasTox). Similarly, Dr. David MacManus, an Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, has also secured €1.5 million for his project 'Bridging the sex gap in traumatic brain injury biomechanics' (brainsex).
Iliana Ivanova, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, expressed her pride in supporting early-career researchers through the Horizon Europe programme. She emphasized the critical role these scholars play in enhancing our understanding of the world and addressing pressing societal challenges. Ivanova also highlighted a notable increase in female grantees, a trend she hopes will continue to grow.
Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD's Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Impact, congratulated Dr. Xu and Dr. MacManus on their remarkable achievements. She underscored the potential impact of their innovative projects and reaffirmed UCD's dedication to fostering academic career development and ambitious research endeavors.
Exploring UCD's Groundbreaking Projects
PlasTox: Unveiling the Impact of Microplastics
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have become ubiquitous in our environment, permeating the air, water, and food. A recent international conference at UCD revealed that microplastic levels are alarmingly higher than other chemicals, yet their precise toxic effects on humans remain largely unknown. The PlasTox project aims to investigate the impact of MNPs on human digestive health, potentially leading to significant advancements in toxicological screening, safety assurance, and environmental hazard monitoring.
Dr. Junli Xu, the Principal Investigator and Leader of the Microplastics Research Group at UCD, explained that the project will leverage cutting-edge techniques such as machine learning and spectral imaging to develop predictive models of MNPs' health impacts. This innovative approach could transform risk assessment methodologies, reducing reliance on costly laboratory experiments and revolutionizing toxicology, environmental safety, and public health.
Dr. Xu expressed her excitement and gratitude for receiving the ERC Starting Grant, which will enable her to explore groundbreaking research ideas and expand her research team. She acknowledged the invaluable support of her collaborators and mentors, particularly Professor Aoife Gowen, as well as the funding from the SFI-IRC Pathway Programme and the UCD Ad Astra Fellowship.
Brainsex: Bridging the Gender Gap in TBI Research
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects approximately 30 million women worldwide each year, yet women remain underrepresented in research despite experiencing more TBIs than men. Current brain models are predominantly based on male data, limiting the understanding of TBI biomechanics in women. Dr. David MacManus, Director of the BRAIN Lab at UCD, seeks to address this disparity through the brainsex project.
The brainsex project aims to develop the first sex-specific computer models of the brain, incorporating unique neuroanatomy and material damage properties of female brain tissue. This research could revolutionize the understanding of TBI and underscore the significance of sex in the mechanical behavior of biological tissues.
Dr. MacManus expressed his gratitude to his collaborators and supporters, including Enterprise Ireland for their support through the EI Horizon Europe ERC Support grant. He is eager to embark on this new research journey and uncover the discoveries that lie ahead.