UCC researchers appear in highly sought after global researcher list

The annual list features researchers in the top 1% of the Web of Science citation index and recognises those that have contributed to their desired field

Prof John Cryan shared his delight in appearing on the coveted list for the eighth time. Picture: Clare Keogh

Some 13 researchers based in University College Cork (UCC) have appeared in the 'Highly Cited Researchers 2023' list, in recognition of their influence and impact within the scientific community.

The annual list, published by Clarivate today, features researchers in the top 1% of the Web of Science citation index and recognises those that have contributed to their desired field.

Some 238 researchers were recognised for their work in two fields, including UCC’s Professor Paul Ross, Professor John Cryan, and Professor Timothy Dinan from APC Microbiome Ireland, a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre based in the university.

The global list consists of 7,125 researchers from a total of 67 countries and regions this year, 3,793 of which are in specific fields. An additional 3,332 scholars were named on the list for their work across multiple fields.

UCC researchers were recognised as global leaders across a variety of fields, ranging from food, neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, neonatology, and medicine.

Prof Cryan shared his delight in appearing on the coveted list for the eighth time, in recognition of the “fantastic researchers” working in the laboratories in APC Microbiome Ireland.

“Our most highly cited research findings have been the ground-breaking discoveries that we’ve made focused on how the gut microbiome affects brain and behaviour,” he said.

Prof Cryan's current research focuses on understanding the interaction between the brain, gut, and microbiome, and how it applies to stress, psychiatric, and immune-related disorders at key markers across the lifespan.

Clarivate Institute for Scientific Information's head of research analysis David Pendlebury said the list “identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers”, rewarding them for their influence within their research community.

Their contributions resonate far beyond their individual achievements, strengthening the foundation of excellence and innovation in research.

UCC President Professor John O’Halloran described the accolades as an “endorsement” of the exceptional quality of work undertaken in UCC.

“This underpins UCC’s distinctive research reputation, strengthening both research and academic excellence, as we advance our UCC Futures thematic areas, and we can move forward with confidence knowing that we have excellent researchers pursuing excellence in research,” he said.