Conferrings celebrate students and medical pioneers

12 Jun 2013

Thursday 13 June is not just a day of celebration as 419 students graduate from UCC. It is also one of remembrance. Watch each ceremony live at http://www.ucc.ie/en/live/

The Summer Conferrings will recognise the outstanding contribution made to medical science by the late Professor Gerald C. O’Sullivan, through a posthumous Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) on Published Work. Professor O’Sullivan passed away on February 12th 2012. Dr Joe O'Connell, a senior lecturer in the Department of Medicine UCC (retired) and a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow, will also be recognised with a DSc on Published Work. Both men have contributed significantly to the fight against cancer. An unusually high and welcome number of Master’s level (132) and PhD level (91) students will graduate from these conferrings.

Held in high esteem by colleagues across the medical profession, Professor O’Sullivan, a native of Caheragh in West Cork, was known as a gifted surgeon and pioneer of ground breaking research into cancer. A UCC graduate (1969) and former President of the Royal College of Surgeons (2006), he was renowned for his compassion towards patients and colleagues alike, a man behind hundreds of publications and the recipient of dozens of awards and titles for his contributions towards advancing the field of medicine.

However, perhaps one of Professor O’Sullivan’s greatest gifts was the founding of the Cork Cancer Research Centre in 1999, a leading research centre that seeks to develop novel anti-cancer treatments. This DSc on Published Work, arrangements for which were already well underway prior to his passing, seeks to further recognise his immense achievements.

Speaking at the time of Professor O’Sullivan’s passing, Nobel Laureate and DNA pioneer Dr. James Watson, said:

“He was so unique, standing strong above those who first worshipped his surgical skills and then his determination to move from treating, to truly curing cancer. His passing creates a gap that will not go away – in Cork, in Ireland, in Europe and throughout the world”.

Professor O’Sullivan originally invited Dr Watson to give the inaugural lecture at the Cork Cancer Research Centre in 2010. Dr. Watson also received an Honorary Doctorate from UCC at that time.

Dr Joe O'Connell also receives a DSc on Published Work. A native of Portmagee, Co. Kerry, Dr O’Connell discovered a mechanism by which cancers elude the immune system. This has been one of the most significant developments in tumour immunology.  His published paper* describing this mechanism, which he termed "Fas counterattack", has received over 600 citations in the scientific literature since it appeared in the Journal of Experimental Medicine in 1996.The counterattack concept has since entered the vocabulary of cancer immunology. The research efforts of O'Connell and his group resulted in over 70 publications in high impact peer reviewed publications and also contributed to the establishment of The Cork Cancer Research Centre and the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre at UCC.

The Summer Conferring ceremonies, which will see 419 undergraduates and postgraduates receive their parchments, take place at 10am, 12.30pm (this ceremony will include awards of DSc on Published Work) and 3.30pm this Thursday 13 June 2013.

At 10am, 146 undergraduate students will graduate from the College of Medicine & Health (and one MSc). At 12.30pm, 96 undergraduate and postgraduate students will graduate from the College of Medicine & Health and the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences. 3.30pm will see 176 postgraduate students graduate from the College of Business & Law and the College of Science, Engineering & Food Science.

The conferring address at 10am and 12.30pm will be delivered by Professor Denis O'Mullane, Emeritus Professor of Preventative Dentistry, UCC. The conferring address at 3.30pm will be delivered by Ms Gillian Keating, President, Cork Chamber.

The ceremonies will be streamed live at http://www.ucc.ie/en/live/

Further details and degree breakdowns are available from: http://www.ucc.ie/en/current/conferrings/summerconferrings2013/

A tribute video to Gerry can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE9SFmaAeCE

*O.Connell J., O'Sullivan GC, Collins JK, Shanahan F. 1996.  The Fas Counter-attack.  Fas Mediated T cell killing by colon cancer cells expressing Fas Ligand.  Journal of Experimental Medicine 184:  1075-1082.  PIMD 9064324.