A research engineer has been appointed as chair of the Irish Research Council.
Prof Orla Feely of University College Dublin takes over from Prof David Lloyd of Trinity College Dublin and will oversee the disbursement of the council's €35 million budget.
Minister of State Seán Sherlock announced her appointment yesterday, saying Prof Feely would bring a wealth of experience to the position.
He also announced the appointment of Prof James Gleeson from the University of Limerick as a new member of the council.
Prof Feely is a professor in the school of electrical, electronic and communications engineering at UCD, where she conducts research into erratic electronic circuits.
She has won awards for research and teaching and has chaired technical committees in the international body, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
She has been a member of the council since 2007. She said she was "delighted" to accept the appointment.
