Trinity’s Chair of Comparative Immunology, Cliona O’Farrelly, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her research achievements.
Announced on Monday, O’Farrelly is among 508 scientists, engineers, and innovators announced as 2022 Fellows. A highly prestigious award, the AAAS Fellowship recognises scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.
O’Farrelly is known globally for her work regarding how the immune system works. Her early work spearheaded a unique national project that sought volunteers exposed to anti-D contaminated with hepatitis C (HCV) between 1977 and 1979. Along with colleagues from other departments in Trinity and further afield, she also worked to develop understanding of the COVID-19 virus.
O’Farrelly will be presented with a certificate at the Fellows Forum, an event at the AAAS Annual Meeting, which will take place in Washington D.C. in May.
Commenting on the award, Professor O’Farrelly said: “I first became a member of AAAS when in the US in the late 80s. Ever since, its journal Science has been a constant source of the latest breaking science research and been a reliable, knowledgeable, stimulating companion all through my research career.”
“The editorials themselves have often been enough to keep me enthused and determined to continue to aim for excellence and novelty in my research and to push me to offer a reliable and accurate voice in my science communication endeavours.”
“It is therefore an exciting privilege to be honoured with Fellowship of AAAS and to have the opportunity to meet like-minded people in Washington in May 2023.”
Being elected as an AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honour, and dates back to 1848. Fellows are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific standards. Past honorees include W.E.B. DuBois, Ellen Ochoa, and Thomas Edison.
