Researchers working with APC Microbiome Ireland, a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre based in University College Cork (UCC) have made a global list of the top 1% of the world’s most influential scientific researchers.

A total of 13 researchers from the UCC-based research centre were included on the Highly Cited Researchers 2021 list, published by Clarivate, which recognises pioneers in their field whose citation records position them in the very highest strata of research influence and impact.

UCC has the highest number for any Irish university on the global list, which features a total of 6,600 researchers from more than 60 countries, with US-based institutions continuing to dominate.

Within the human body and on our skin, trillions of bacteria and viruses exist as part of complex ecosystems called microbiomes. Microbiomes play an important role in human health and disease. APC has established itself as a leading global centre in gut microbiota research and its researchers were recognised in today’s list as global leaders in fields such as food, therapeutics, microbiome and health. 

Prof Paul Ross, Director at APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre said: “For the second year running we are pleased to announce that a third of all Highly Cited Researchers in 2021 from institutions based in Ireland are from APC. We live in a microbial world and microbiome research continues to transcend traditional disciplines by revealing the huge influence which microbes have on human, animal and planetary health. This list demonstrates that researchers across several fields continue to find solutions in microbiomes which address many of the grand challenges faced by humankind.”

Dr Siobhán Cusack, Director of Research Strategy and Projects at UCC said: "UCC continually strives for global excellence across the entirety of our research community. We are immensely proud of the continued success of these highly cited researchers who are not only leading their fields but also working collaboratively to further enhance and amplify the outputs and transformative impacts arising from their research activities. Research in the areas of food and health, exemplified by collaborative activities within the APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre and enhanced by our longstanding relationship with Teagasc, are areas of key strategy importance for UCC. The consolidation of such interdisciplinary talent and focused ambition leverages researcher experience, talent and skills to best generate holistic solutions that directly address grand global challenges. My sincere congratulations to each of these outstanding researchers."  

In total, 11 APC researchers based in University College Cork and two APC researchers based in Teagasc comprise the APC researchers featured. University College Cork researchers listed are: Prof Elke Arent, Prof Paul Ross, Prof Gerald Fitzgerald, Prof Colin Hill, Prof Paul O’Toole, Prof Douwe Van Sinderen, Prof Jens Walter, Dr Gerard Clarke, Prof John F Cryan, Prof Timothy Dinan and Prof Fergus Shanahan. Teagasc Moorepark researchers listed are: Prof Catherine Stanton, Prof Paul D Cotter.