Honouring a Pioneer: Ocampo Fund Invests in Tyndall’s Future Engineers and Breakthrough Technologies

The award will support pioneering research projects led by Prof. Dimitra Psychogiou (Tyndall/ University College Cork) and Dr Daniel O’Hare (Tyndall), with a focus on next-generation semiconductor technologies and advanced communication systems.

The John L. Ocampo Endowment Fund was established by Susan Ocampo in honour of her late husband, John L. Ocampo, a renowned innovator in the compound semiconductor industry. The fund aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application while fostering the next generation of engineering talent.

The funding will directly support two Masters of Engineering Science (MEngSc) research projects:

• New Design Techniques for Highly Miniaturized RF Circuits supervised by Prof. Dimitra Psychogiou, will explore advanced miniaturization, RF co-design methods, to enable multifunctional, high-performance RF components.
• AI-Assisted Design of RF Circuits, led by Dr Daniel O’Hare, will develop novel artificial intelligence-driven workflows for RF integrated circuit design. This research will leverage both commercial and open-source CAD tools.

These projects reflect a growing convergence between RF engineering and artificial intelligence, positioning Tyndall at the forefront of innovation in semiconductor design.

Prof. John O’Halloran, President, University College Cork, welcomed this transformative investment, noting: “The Ocampo family’s extraordinary commitment will have a lasting impact on global research and innovation. This fund not only honours John Ocampo’s remarkable legacy but also strengthens the pipeline of talent and discovery that will shape the future of RF/microwave and Photonics engineering for generations to come.”

Kerry Bryson, CEO, Cork University Foundation, commented: “At Cork University Foundation, we see this as a powerful endorsement of the critical role that engineering talent plays in driving global technological progress. This is a truly impactful philanthropic investment in the people, ideas, and research at University College Cork and Tyndall National Institute.  We are immensely grateful to the Ocampo family for their support.”

Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Ocampo family for their investment in our researchers who are at the forefront of RF/microwave and photonics engineering. This support will enable cutting-edge innovation with the potential to deliver transformative societal impact.”

Prof. Sarah Culloty, Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, UCC, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Ocampo family for their investment in our researchers who are at the forefront of RF/microwave, and photonics engineering. This support will enable cutting?edge innovation with the potential to deliver transformative societal impact”.

John L. Ocampo was widely recognised for his contributions to high-speed communications through his work in RF and compound semiconductor technologies, spanning applications in cellular, aerospace, defence, satellite, and data centre systems. Through this endowment, his legacy continues to inspire innovation and excellence in engineering research worldwide.

The grant strengthens Tyndall’s role as a key hub for semiconductor research and industry collaboration, deepening engagement with global technology leaders and supporting the development of highly skilled graduates to drive the future of communications technology.

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