Professor Laoise McNamara is Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Galway. An internationally recognised leader in mechanobiology, she has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and secured prestigious funding from the European Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Her research excellence has been recognised through major awards, including the Irish Research Council Researcher of the Year Award. Professor McNamara has held several senior leadership roles, shaping research strategy, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration at institutional and international levels. She also serves in prominent advisory and leadership positions within the European research community.