Dr Jennifer Lynch awarded Royal Society Fellowship to develop leukaemia treatments
24 March 2026
Dr Tian Carey, Trinity College Dublin; Dr Jennifer Lynch, UCD; Dr Ian Woods, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
(opens in a new window)Dr Jennifer Lynch from the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science has been awarded a prestigious Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowship for a project aiming to develop new leukaemia therapies.
The Royal Society Fellowship is a highly competitive early-career funding scheme, supporting outstanding scientists who have the potential to become future leaders in their fields.
This year, three early-career researchers from various institutions were selected to receive the funding – totalling over €5.5 million – to establish independent scientific research programs over the next eight years.
Dr Lynch’s award will fund her project ‘Exploring novel β-catenin regulatory mechanisms in AML toward enhanced therapeutic targeting’. She will study how a key molecule called β-catenin drives an aggressive form of leukaemia.
The aim of the project is to uncover new weaknesses in cancer cells that could lead to more effective targeted treatments for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.
“I am deeply grateful for and excited by the opportunities this funding provides,” said Dr Lynch.
“It will enable me to establish an independent research team focused on uncovering the complex molecular mechanisms that drive the development and persistence of leukaemia stem cells.
“By advancing our understanding of these processes, we aim to develop precise, targeted therapies for highly aggressive subtypes of acute leukaemia.”
Dr Ian Woods from the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Dr Tian Carey from Trinity College Dublin were also awarded fellowships.
“As reaffirmed in our Strategy launched earlier this month, Research Ireland is committed to building a world-class environment where talent can pursue curiosity-driven research with real impact,” said Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland.
“Through this partnership, the Royal Society – Research Ireland University Research Fellowships are providing outstanding early-career researchers with the stability and resources they need to advance Ireland’s future, for the benefit of both the economy and society.”
In 2025, 39 University Research Fellowships were awarded to early-career researchers across the UK and Ireland.
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
