An Athlone scientist who has three decades of experience researching disease prevention, MedTech and global food security, has been awarded a Higher Doctor of Science by a Scottish university.
The Higher Doctorate of Science is the highest academic degree in the Irish and UK systems and marks a first for the Technological University of the Shannon.
Prof Neil Rowan is the first academic in the history of TUS to achieve this award.
"When I first entered higher education from school, it was through a soccer scholarship to the University of Galway," he said.
"If you told me then that I would one day be awarded a Higher Doctorate of Science, I wouldn't have believed it."
Prof Rowan's thesis comprised of 150 peer reviewed journal papers presented in two volumes and covering his research from 1995 to the present day.
The doctorate was approved by the Senate of the University of Strathclyde, Scotland following a rigorous international examination of his lifetime research portfolio.
"I am so grateful for the journey my education and career have brought me on to date," said Prof Rowan.
"I am truly grateful to all those who have supported me on what has been a herculean academic journey of research and discovery.
"I conducted two-thirds of my research with TUS and am so proud of the wonderful research that is happening across the university.
"Every day is a school day," he added.
President of TUS Vincent Cunnane said the achievement is a testament to the world-class research calibre within the university.
"Professor Rowan's award of a Higher Doctorate is an extraordinary milestone, for him personally, for TUS and the wider Technological University sector," he said.
"It signifies a level of academic authority that is globally rare and reflects decades of inquiry," he added.
A native of Coosan, Athlone, Prof Rowan dedicated the achievement to the memory of his parents, Breffini and Ruth, and to his wife Michelle and children.
A former student of Dean Kelly NS and St Aloysius College, Prof Rowan's path was carved out via a soccer scholarship to the University of Galway.
He later moved to Scotland to forge a career that has now seen him ranked number in the world for decontamination research.
Last year, Prof Rowan was appointed to the newly established United Nations Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War.
He is one of 21 scientists from around the world appointed to the panel, which was established following a resolution led by Ireland and New Zealand at the UN General Assembly in 2024.
