Nobel Laureate Professor Reinhard Genzel delivers masterclass to prime Irish college students of astrophysics and high-energy particle physics.
On Wednesday 18 February the Royal Irish Academy hosted 13 postgraduate college students for a masterclass facilitated remotely by Nobel Laureate Professor Reinhard Genzel. Professor Genzel is Director of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, a professor at Ludwig Maximilian College of Munich, and an emeritus professor on the College of California, Berkeley. He was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics ‘for the invention of a supermassive compact object on the centre of our galaxy,’ which he shared with Andrea Ghez and Roger Penrose.
18/02/2026 College students taking part within the O’Sullivan Masterclass hosted within the Royal Irish Academy. Royal Irish Academy-O’Sullivan Masterclass. Professor Dr Reinhard Genzel Photograph: Johnny Bambur; no replica charge
The O’Sullivan Masterclass was made doable with an endowment from the late Professor Denis O’Sullivan (1938-2020). Professor O’Sullivan was a high-energy physicist based mostly on the Dublin Institute for Superior Research for a lot of his later profession. He’s identified for his examine of cosmic rays and his NASA-supported analysis in California within the late Nineteen Sixties that led to the event of a tool for measuring radiation publicity. At first of the masterclass Denis O’Sullivan was remembered fondly by shut colleague, Professor Luke Drury.
Analysis establishments throughout the island of Eire had been invited to appoint as much as two college students to participate within the O’Sullivan Masterclass with the stipulation that the scholars have to be enrolled in a Masters or PhD programme and enterprise analysis within the area of astrophysics or excessive vitality physics. The scholars who participated within the masterclass had been Nicki Bond, College School Dublin; Emer Coughlan, Technological College of the Shannon; Catherine Cuddy, Dublin Institute of Superior Research; Aoife Finn-Gallagher, Dublin Metropolis College; Ciarán Furey, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium; Alanna Fox, College of Limerick; Herman LeRoux, Dublin Institute of Superior Research and Technological College of the Shannon; Daxal Mehta, Maynooth College; Leo Mulholland, Queens College Belfast; Deirdre Ní Chonchubhair, College of Galway; Richard O’Neill, College School Dublin; Iuliia Shebalkova, Dublin Metropolis College; Letizia Vincetti, Trinity School Dublin.
The masterclass was chaired by Dr Venus Keus, Senior Analysis Fellow on the Dublin Institute for Superior Research. Individuals first heard from Professor Genzel about his work and profession earlier than having the chance to ask questions and discover matters together with the challenges and rewards of educational careers, collaboration throughout theoretical and experimental physics, and doable futures for the analysis area.
Denis O’Sullivan’s daughter, Tanya O’Sullivan mentioned:
The O’Sullivan Masterclass was a becoming tribute to an Irish house analysis pioneer who all through his life endeavoured to sow seeds of curiosity among the many younger. We’re delighted that the RIA has organized this glorious alternative for the subsequent technology of Irish scientists to interact with Nobel Laureate Professor Reinhard Genzel. Dad would have been thrilled with the occasion!
18/02/2026 Again row, L-R: Herman LeRoux, Leo Mulholland, Ciarán Furey, Richard O’Neill, Daxal Mehta, Aoife Finn-Gallagher, Alanna Fox. Entrance row, L-R: Iuliia Shebalkova, Nicki Bond, Letizia Vincetti, Venus Keus (masterclass chair), Emer Coughlan, Deirdre Ní Chonchubhair, Catherine Cuddy. Royal Irish Academy-O’Sullivan Masterclass. Professor Dr Reinhard Genzel Photograph: Johnny Bambur; no replica charge
ENDS
For queries, contact:
Fionnuala Parfrey
Programme Supervisor (Sciences) E: f.parfrey@ria.ie W:
Concerning the Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy, based in 1785, is Eire’s main physique of specialists supporting and selling the sciences and humanities. As an all-island impartial discussion board of peer-elected specialists we recognise world-class researchers and champion Irish tutorial analysis.
We make a big contribution to public debate and coverage formation on points in science, know-how and tradition. We convey collectively academia, authorities and trade to deal with problems with mutual curiosity by offering an impartial discussion board.
We lead vital nationwide analysis initiatives, significantly in areas regarding Eire and its heritage. We characterize the world of Irish studying internationally, have a singular globally recognised library and are a number one tutorial writer.
