Professor Orla Hardiman Celebrated at Trinity's Innovation Awards

Professor Orla Hardiman received the headline Provost Innovation Award at the 2022 Trinity Innovation Awards. The Trinity Innovation Awards recognise Trinity’s leading researchers and inventors and celebrate their innovative research and entrepreneurship.

Professor Hardiman, Head of the Academic Unit of Neurology in Trinity and leader of the ADAPT led Precision ALS Spoke, is also a PI at the SFI FutureNeuro and ADAPT Research Centres. She is founder and director of the National ALS/MND Clinical and Research Programme, and the HSE National Clinical Lead for Neurology. An exceptional clinician scientist and an established world authority on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of Motor Neuron Disease (also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS), Orla has established the world’s longest-running ALS register in Trinity, co-founded TRICALS – which brings together 48 research centres in 16 countries to improve clinical trial design – and transformed our understanding of the genetic causes of ALS, as well as revealing biomarkers of the disease and led innovations in care and digital healthcare.

Dr Linda Doyle, Provost and President of Trinity, said: “I want to congratulate all the recipients of this year’s Trinity Innovation Awards. Innovation in Trinity has its roots in rigorous academic research and it is striking to see such a wide range of disciplines – from history to zoology – represented among this year’s winners. These innovations are addressing a wide range of issues such as the need for more reliable broadband, a diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease and a better understanding of ageing in people with intellectual disabilities.

“In particular, I am absolutely delighted to present Prof. Orla Hardiman with the Provost’s Innovation Award. Orla is a global authority on the causes, diagnoses and treatment of Motor Neuron Disease. She has an outstanding record of clinical and academic achievement, coupled with significant international and interdisciplinary collaborations. As the HSE’s National Clinical Lead for Neurology, as a consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital and as Trinity’s first Professor of Neurology, she strives to improve the lives of people living with Motor Neuron Disease by developing highly innovative approaches in her research and in her collaborative partnerships.

“I would also like to thank the Trinity team for organising this event and for supporting our researchers with their expertise in critical areas such as technology transfer.”