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Noel Richardson from the SETU Carlow Campus talks about his research around the broad area of Men's Health and how his work is shaping national (and international) policy. He talks about projects that target hard-to-reach populations with positive health activities, such as On Feirm Ground, which is directly concerned with Irish farmers and agriculture workers. Noel's research interests include men’s health policy, gender and health, mental health and suicide prevention in men. Prior to his academic career, Noel was an international athlete, representing Ireland on numerous occasions in long distance running events. 

Noel's professional profile can be found on the SETU website.  Follow the podcast on Twitter @9pluspodcast

For the first episode of the 2nd season, Rob O'Connor sat down with the new President of the South East Technological University (SETU), Professor Veronica Campbell. They talked about her research journey as a cell biologist, from an 11-year old looking at samples under the microscope in Scotland, through to undergraduate and postgraduate study, onto running her own lab at Trinity College Dublin and her work in pharmacology and the neuropharmacology of cannabinoids. They also talked about how these experiences inform her role as President of SETU. 

Follow the podcast on Twitter @9pluspodcast

A documentary tracing the 50+ years history of Waterford Institute of Technology, from its initial creation as Waterford Regional technical College in 1970, through to its re-designation as the South East Technological University in 2022

The podcast guest for this episode is Dr. James O'Sullivan, the Technology Transfer manager at SETU. James is responsible for shepherding research activities from the theoretical to commercial stage. The term "technology transfer" might also be a misnomer, as commercialisation is open to all disciplines, not just technology or science. James also talks about his professional journey, his scientific background and how he ended up in the role he occupies today.

You can follow James on Twitter @Jamesfosullivan and you can also stay up to date with the podcast @9pluspodcast

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio

The OTRG are researching non-invasive ways to treat sight-loss and other eye conditions. Three members of the group (Larry Fitzhenry, Niall O'Reilly & Tess Ames) sat down in the studio to chat with Rob O'Connor about the motivations behind their research, what's involved and the potential impacts of their work.

You can learn more about the Pharmaceutical & Molecular Biology Research Centre (PMBRC) at pmbrc.org. You keep up to date with the OTRG on Twitter at @OTRG_PBMRC and you can follow the podcast @9pluspodcast

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio

Following on from the previous episode about Agricultural Technology, in this episode we dig a bit deeper in the use of robots in agriculture by speaking with two Irish members of AgRoboFood cluster. Christine O'Meara specialises in commercialisation and innovation and is with SETU's Walton Institute and Kieran O'Donoghue is a robotics researcher based in Tralee as part of MTU. We discussed practical applications of robots on farms, from picking fruit to targeted pesticide spraying. We also explored the definition of a robot in 2022 and other technological advances in the farming space. The podcast also gives an insight into how large scale EU research is managed across the continent.

You can learn more about AgRoboFood at agrobofood.eu. A case study is referenced during the conversation which can be found here globalambition.ie/agrobo-using-robotics-to-increase-efficiencies/ 

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio

Hazel Peavoy of The Walton Institute joined Rob O'Connor in the virtual studio to provide an overview of some of the agri-tech projects that have been undertaken at SETU. These have massive potential impacts in terms of food quality and efficiency, as well as food security. Climate change is also a major theme of the research.

More information on The Walton Institute can be found at waltoninstitute.ie. Follow the podcast on Twitter @9pluspodcast

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio

Bernadette Flanagan and Paul Cloger are directors of the SpirSoP research group at SETU (Spirituality in Society and the Professions). They spoke with Rob O'Connor about some of the fundamental questions around spirituality, how their work is applied in certain areas (including tourism and technology). Finally, they engaged in a discussion around one of Paul's recent publications concerning the cinema of contemplation and "First Reformed", directed by Paul Schrader and starring Ethan Hawke. 

You can learn more about the SpirSoP research group at wit.ie/spirsop. Follow 9Plus on Twitter @9pluspodcast

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio

Ahead of International Women's Day 2022, three female researchers in the final stages of their PhD studies joined the podcast to talk about their work, describe their motivations and chat about issues affecting women in the research world. Aisling McGrath is involved with the Men's Sheds' "Sheds for Life" project. Madhuri Dandamudi is with the Ocular Therapeutics Research Group (OTRG) at SETU and is researching alternative delivery mechanisms to injections for back-of-the-eye therapies. Orla Hayes works with the RIKON group and her area is small business marketing across the omnichannel.

You can find out more about each of the women and their work by following them on Twitter:

Aisling McGrath @ash_mcg

Madhuri Dandamudi @madhurikrishnaG

Orla Hayes @orlanihaodha

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio

Dr. Geralidine Canny (Head of Research) and Josephine Holohan (Project Manager) spoke with Rob about the Research Unit Unit (RSU) at SETU. They talked about Local, National and European funding streams that are available to researchers as well as detailing some of the supports the RSU provides to assist researchers in applying for funding. They also spoke about scholarships that are available to postgraduate students and the inaugural SETU Research Awards. 

More information on the RSU can be found at wit.ie/research. Follow the podcast on Twitter @9pluspodcast

Please note at the time of recording, SETU was known as WIT so there may some references to that in the audio