Research into disease fighting foods at UL receives funding boost

Food and health related research led by Professor Dick FitzGerald at the University of Limerick (UL) recently received a funding boost at the Science Foundation Ireland Technology Innovation Development Award (TIDA) programme announced by Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock.

Based at the Department of Life Sciences, Professor FitzGerald is leading research into functional foods or foods which have benefits beyond basic nutrition. His research involves the further development of a novel food protein-derived functional food ingredient which has the potential to prevent /reduce the impacts of cardiovascular and related diseases. The project involves collaboration with the SFI-funded REMEDI Centre in NUI Galway.

Professor FitzGerald explains; “Functional foods/food ingredients  represents a fast-growing activity  within the food industry and Ireland is very well placed as a world leader within this field. There is a huge amount to be gained in utilising the benefits of specific foods and food ingredients in maintaining health and in preventing the development of specific diseases.”

Professor FitzGerald obtained his BSc and PhD from University College Cork (UCC) and since then was a research fellow at North Carolina State University and UCC, a senior research officer at Teagasc Moorepark and Associate Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Limerick. His research activities are funded from a range of funding agencies. He is a Principal Investigator in NutraMara, the Marine Functional Food Research Initiative, and is also Principal Investigator and board member of the Enterprise Ireland dairy industry-led Food for Health Ireland (FHI) programme.

Professor Dick FitzGerald, UL, Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock and Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General, SFI

For further information, please contact: Christine Brennan, Protocol, Public Relations & Communications, UL Tel 061 23 4921 / 086 781 8441 [email protected]
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