Dean's Award for Internationalisation 2024

Professor Sharon Glynn

Prof. Glynn is a strong proponent of Internationalisation via the development of global partnerships underpinned by mutual respect and inclusiveness. I highlight 3 major internationalisation efforts driven by Prof. Glynn, which are key in placing the University of Galway on the global stage.
In October 2018 during the 1st Therapeutic applications of Nitric Oxide (NO) in cancer and inflammatory-related disorders meeting in Sienna, Prof. Glynn proposed the formation of the International Society for Nitric Oxide and Cancer (ISNOC), to foster international collaborations, joint funding, and the education and training of the next generation of NO scientists. ISNOC was formed with Prof. Glynn in the role of Secretary, and now in 2024 Deputy President. In the 5 years since its inception ISNOC has held 3 International Workshops in New York (2019), Galway (2020) and Copenhagen (2022), in addition to 2 further Therapeutic applications meetings in Seville (2022) and Udine (2023). Furthermore, Prof. Glynn gathered international colleagues and Coordinated a successful application to Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks on NO in triple negative breast cancer (NO-CANCER-NET) in 2023. 

In 2022 Prof Glynn was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award for 7 months at Houston Methodist Research Institute in Texas, to develop international collaborations with the Houston Methodist Hospital Cancer Center . This led to Houston Methodists inclusion on NO-CANCER-NET as an associated partner, with plans to develop joint PhD programmes, with the first students being recruited via NO-CANCER-NET. Prof. Glynn is also a member of the Biseach Initiative which aims to foster strong partnerships between University of Notre Dame and University of Galway in teaching and research. 

Prof. Glynn was honoured as one of four Fulbright Scholars chosen from 200 applications to present her research at the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in Chicago. In February 2024 Prof. Glynn was appointed as Campus Ambassador to Fulbright and was also elected as the secretary of the Irish Fulbright Alumni Association.  With these 2 roles she aims to strengthen the University of Galway’s links with Fulbright and to expand our US networks, via mentoring staff and students to engage with Fulbright Commission and build new US links.