At the annual iCRAG Summit, the winners of the 2024 iCRAG Awards were celebrated in a grand ceremony attended by 100 iCRAG members. The event underscored the Centre’s commitment to recognising and fostering excellence in geoscience research and highlighted the achievements of its outstanding researchers.

Dr. Quentin Crowley: Champion of Industry and Entrepreneurship

Dr. Quentin Crowley, a distinguished researcher from the School of Natural Sciences, was honored with the 2024 Industry and Entrepreneurship Award. This accolade, awarded by the iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences, celebrates Dr. Crowley's unwavering dedication to industry collaboration and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Crowley’s research is a testament to the power of innovation and its potential to address societal challenges. His commitment to applying scientific discoveries in practical, business-oriented contexts has set a benchmark in the field. Upon receiving the award, Dr. Crowley remarked, "It is both my pleasure and honour to receive this award. Research, innovation, and entrepreneurship are at the core of what I do, and I am dedicated to solving societal challenges while recognising the business opportunities that come with it."

Above: Dr. Quentin Crowley and Dr. Erica Terese Krueger

Dr. Erica Terese Krueger: Double Award Winner

Dr. Erica Terese Krueger made a significant mark at the summit by receiving two prestigious awards. First, she was recognised with the Best Publication Award for her groundbreaking paper, "Wanted Dead or Alive: Skeletal Structure Alteration of Cold-Water Coral Desmophyllum pertusum (Lophelia pertusa) from Anthropogenic Stressors". This publication, available here, provides critical insights into the impact of human activities on cold-water coral ecosystems.

In addition to the Best Publication Award, Krueger was also honored with the Education and Public Engagement Award. This award celebrates her exceptional contributions to public understanding of geoscience, particularly through her involvement in the popular "10 Things to Know About" series. Her work in this series, accessible here, has been instrumental in demystifying complex scientific concepts and engaging the public in meaningful ways.

About iCRAG: Driving Research for a Sustainable Society

iCRAG is the SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences, a leading institution dedicated to creating solutions for a sustainable society. The Centre focuses on developing innovative science and technologies to better understand the Earth’s past, present, and future, and how people are connected to it. iCRAG drives research in areas that are critical to society and the economy, including:

  • Sustainable discovery of energy resources and raw materials required for decarbonization.
  • Securing and protecting groundwater and marine resources.
  • Protecting society from Earth’s hazards such as flooding and landslides.

Underlying these research challenges is iCRAG's work in enabling methodologies in geophysics, geochemistry, and 3D modeling, along with research on the public perception and understanding of geosciences.

A Collaborative Effort

iCRAG, the world-leading SFI Research Centre in applied geosciences hosted by University College Dublin (UCD), comprises 150 researchers across eight universities and institutions. The Centre is supported by Science Foundation Ireland, Geological Survey Ireland, and industry partners. It brings together expertise from eight major institutes: University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, University College Cork, National University of Ireland Galway, Maynooth University, Dublin City University, and Teagasc.

Celebrating Excellence in Geosciences

The 2024 iCRAG Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the Centre’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment. The awards serve as a reminder of the critical role that geoscientists play in addressing global challenges and advancing our understanding of the Earth’s processes.

Congratulations to all the award recipients for their remarkable contributions to the field of geoscience. Their dedication and innovative spirit continue to inspire the iCRAG community and beyond.