Professor O’Kennedy is a Professor of Biological Sciences and Scientific Director of the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University (DCU). He is former Vice-President for Learning Innovation in DCU, currently President of the London International Youth Science Forum,Vice-President of the Institute of Biology of Ireland and represents Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) on the Biosciences committee of the European Academies Science Advisory Council. He directs the Applied Biochemistry Research Group, internationally recognised for its expertise in antibody generation and immuno/ biosensor assay development.
Professor O’Kennedy has published extensively (170 peer-reviewed papers, 30 reviews, 25 book chapters, 1 book and has mentored 60 Ph.Ds to completion. He is a member of the Industrial Research and Commercialisation Committee at Enterprise Ireland, reviews for many journals and international scientific bodies, edits three journals, has patents and licensed technologies/reagents and works closely with Irish/ international companies. He has a major interest in innovative approaches to Healthcare and has received many awards for research (Biochemistry Medal of the RIA; Fujitsu Award for Innovation; Bioscience Lab of the Year, 2014) and teaching (President’s award, DCU; Outstanding Masters Programme Award, Graduate Ireland, 2011).