The government’s policy for the creation of the smart economy requires the creation of a strong research and innovation culture within industry and our third level colleges. The Annual Research Day at Waterford Institute of Technology on Monday 17th May 2010 demonstrated that the Institute has established a research and innovation culture which will ensure that the South-East fully participates and benefits from this new economy.

The maturity of research within the Institute is reflected in the depth and diversity of research ongoing within WIT.  Topics presented at the event included topics such as novel drug delivery strategies for the treatment of patients with eye disorders; the Future Internet; the legal and ethical issues raised by human cloning; the potential use of seaweed extracts as antibiotics and the suitability of Irish wood energy as a sustainable source of biofuel.

The innovation and commercialisation culture was reflected by the awards presented to staff who had filed patents in the last year. The awards were sponsored by FR Kelly, European Patent and Trademark Attorneys and were presented to inventors working in the area of optical devices and nanohole technologies. 

An important part of the research day was the presentation of poster displays from more than 60 postgraduate researchers. The quality of new ideas and innovation from masters and doctoral graduates from WIT will serve to provide the talent and skills required at a regional and national level to stimulate economic recovery.

Speaking as Research Day 2010 got underway at the Institute’s main campus, Dr Willie Donnelly, Head of Research & Innovation, Waterford Institute of Technology, said: “Government agendas at national and EU level are increasing seeking to ensure that investment in research demonstrates an economic or societal impact and today’s event serves to highlight the breadth and depth of research work that is ongoing across the various academic disciplines at this Institute. Researchers from Waterford compete at the highest national and international level. This was most recently demonstrated by the Institute’s successful performance in securing €5million in funding through the EU Framework research programmes."

“Research Day is also an opportunity for our external stakeholders to gauge the scope of the research and innovation activity that we are involved in. The ‘Smart Economy’ that is recognised as providing Ireland’s best prospect of sustainable economic growth will be built on the type of breakthrough activity that we are showcasing at this event which also allows our researchers to engage with each other and share experiences.”

Denise O'Meara, who won the best Masters student poster award, is a Masters student in the department of Chemical and Life Sciences. Her research is on "Non invasive squirrel survey methods with the use of real-time PCR detection".	Larry Fitzhenry, who won the best PhD student poster award, is a PhD student in the department of Chemical and Life Sciences. His research is on "Smart polymers for the targeted delivery and selective sensing of corticosteroids".