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APC researchers among the winners at UCC Research & Innovation Awards 2025
Annual awards recognise and celebrate excellence in research and innovation.
APC Microbiome Ireland researchers were among the key winners at the 2025 UCC Research awards collecting 4 separate awards for contributions to research and innovation.
Prof Paul O’Toole receives UCC Research Career Achievement Award
Professor Paul O’Toole was a joint winner of the Research Career Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to microbiology, microbial genomics and human microbiome research. Paul is Professor of Microbial Genomics in the School of Microbiology, UCC, and a Group Leader at APC Microbiome Ireland. Across his career, he has helped advance understanding of gastrointestinal bacteria, host-microbe interactions, diet, ageing and human health. His work has shaped international research on the gut microbiome, including through ELDERMET, a landmark study examining the relationship between diet, gut microbes and health in older people. He is co-founder of CaraBia, an APC spin-out company developing microbiome-tailored food products for healthy ageing. Paul’s research influence has been recognised globally. He has been named a Clarivate Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher every year from 2018 to 2025, reflecting the sustained international impact of his publications. This award recognises a career defined by scientific leadership, collaboration, innovation, and mentorship. Paul’s work has strengthened UCC’s international standing in microbiome science and helped position Cork as a global centre for microbiome research.
Prof Jens Walter was named Research Communicator of the Year.
Jens is Professor of Ecology, Food and the Microbiome at UCC and a Group Leader at APC Microbiome Ireland. His research sits at the interface of microbiome ecology, human nutrition and health, with a focus on how host-microbe relationships can inform nutritional and therapeutic strategies. This award recognises his ability to communicate complex microbiome science with clarity, relevance and public value, helping wider audiences understand why microbiome research matters. In particular, Jens has been very active communicating the benefits of the Non-industrialized Microbiome Restore (NiMe) diet that he developed with colleagues in the University of Alberta, including publishing a recipe book and partnering with GourmetFuel to produce and deliver NiMe meals on demand throughout Ireland.
Dr Cristina Rosell Cardona was named Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year.
Cristina is an INSPIRE APC-Marie Skłodowska Curie Fellow and postdoctoral researcher at APC Microbiome Ireland. Her research focuses on the gut-brain axis in depression, with particular attention to microbial metabolites and their role in host biology. This award recognises the quality, potential and independence of her postdoctoral research, as well as her contribution to APC’s work in microbiota-gut-brain axis science.
Benjamín Valderrama was joint winner of PhD Student of the Year.
Benjamín is a PhD student at APC Microbiome Ireland whose work focuses on the gut microbiome and its relevance to human health. He has also contributed to research addressing gaps in global microbiome datasets, including work on the South American MicroBiome Archive (saMBA), which aims to broaden representation in microbiome science. This award recognises his research excellence, initiative and contribution as an emerging scientist.
Together, these awards recognise the strength and breadth of microbiome research at UCC and APC Microbiome Ireland, from lifetime research leadership to public communication, postdoctoral excellence and emerging PhD talent. They also reflect the collaborative research culture across the School of Microbiology, School of Medicine and APC Microbiome Ireland.
