Dr Alison Liddy from NUI Galway has taken the path less travelled. Undefined by traditional roles of academic or industry professional, Alison has successfully crisscrossed both sectors, and built upon her research experience to carve out a unique career. Currently, Alison is a Principle Investigator leading Science Foundation Ireland’s first ever Challenge-based award, the SFI Future Innovator Prize. This Hydrobloc project aims to develop a new treatment for osteoarthritis pain. With more than 40 million Europeans affected by osteoarthritis, with no treatment offering patients long lasting pain relief, this project hopes to transform the lives of these patients.
Alison’s background and experience are particularly suited to medical technology development. She holds qualifications in Chemistry (BSc) and Biochemical Engineering (MSc & PhD); has worked for major multi-national companies including: ROCHE, Cook Medical and Boston Scientific; and most recently completed the BioInnovate Fellowship in the prestigious Stanford BioDesign-affiliated programme at NUI Galway. Alison is co-founder of two start-up companies and is an inspirational leader, researcher and entrepreneur.