Mayo native appointed Deputy President and Registrar at University of Galway
UNIVERSITY of Galway has today announced the appointment of Professor Peter McHugh as the next Deputy President and Registrar.
Professor McHugh, who is a native of Ballyhaunis, was confirmed to take on the role from May 1 next at a meeting of Údarás na hOllscoile, the university’s governing authority.
Welcoming the appointment, President of University of Galway, Professor Ciaran Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Peter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, both from his deep appreciation of our university and its community, but also the higher education landscape at home and abroad. We also know him as an accomplished, decent colleague who wears his achievements in research, teaching and leadership lightly and with great humanity.
“I look forward to working closely with him in his new role.”
Professor McHugh said: “It is a real honour and privilege for me to be appointed to this important leadership role in University of Galway, my alma mater. I am passionate about our university and working to ensure the absolute best for its future.”
Professor McHugh is Established Professor of Biomedical Engineering and has been part of the faculty of the university since 1991. He previously served as Dean of College of Engineering and Informatics, Head of School of Engineering and Informatics, and Head of School of Engineering.
He has been a pioneer in the development of biomedical engineering in Ireland and internationally, and he was the founding Director of the Biomechanics Research Centre (BioMEC) at University of Galway.
Professor McHugh is an internationally recognised research leader in biomedical engineering and his research is focused on fundamental developments and applications of computational and experimental methods in biomechanics, tissue mechanics and medical implants and devices.
He has a significant publication record, with 177 refereed journal publications, 10 book chapters and over 350 conference publications. He has supervised to completion 33 PhD and 23 research masters students. He has generated over €14m in research funding from national, EU and industry sources, and has active research collaborations with international leaders in the field, spanning Europe and the USA.
His teaching interests are in computational methods in biomedical and mechanical engineering, medical device analysis and design, and biomechanics. He is deeply committed to undergraduate and postgraduate education, and has been instrumental in developing and extending the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the biomedical engineering domain.
He has received numerous awards, including membership of the Royal Irish Academy (2011), the Silver Medal of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland - Section of Bioengineering (2011), the Presidential Nominee Fellowship of Engineers Ireland (2009), fellowship of the Irish Academy of Engineering (2019), and the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (1995).