New CEO at Tyndall National Institute to Drive Research and Commercialisation Agenda for Ireland

Prof. William Scanlon appointed as Chief Executive of Tyndall National Institute

Cork, 5 September 2018: One of Europe’s leading technology research organisations, Tyndall National Institute, has appointed Professor William Scanlon to the role of Chief Executive.

Acknowledged globally as a pioneer in wearables and medical device communications, a technology entrepreneur and an accomplished academic in the area of wireless innovation and communications, Prof. Scanlon takes on the role of CEO of the national institute for ICT (Information & Communication Technology, comprising photonics, micro and nanotechnology and systems). The new Chief Executive will lead a team of more than 500 researchers, engineers and support staff including 120 full time graduate students.

Prof. Scanlon joins Tyndall from Queen’s University Belfast, where he was most recently Head of School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Chair of Wireless Communications for over a decade.  He has also held a number of commercial roles, including co-founder and Managing Director of ActivWireless, a spin-out company that focused on real-time location systems, as well as engineering roles with Siemens, Nortel Networks and Osram.

With over 30 years combined experience in industry and academia, Prof. Scanlon has an impressive background in strategic research management and particularly in the commercialisation of research.  Connected health, mobile networks, localisation and wireless body area networks have been key areas of Scanlon’s experience and research publications. His internationally-leading research expertise spans RF and microwaves, antennas and propagation, mobile communications, sensors and wearables.

Welcoming the CEO appointment, Chair of Tyndall National Institute Eoin O’Driscoll said, “Professor Scanlon’s academic research record and strong commercialisation background create an ideal combination of skills to progress Tyndall’s mission to deliver economic impact through research excellence.  We look forward to Professor Scanlon providing the strategic leadership to further develop our role as a world-leading research institute.”

UCC President Pat O’Shea said, “This appointment will greatly benefit Tyndall and UCC and will help strengthen our significant contribution to the local and national economy.  We are confident Tyndall will continue to excel under Professor Scanlon, particularly as the Institute develops its new strategic plan and undertakes an exciting and ambitious expansion as recently outlined in the Government’s National Development Plan”.

Professor Scanlon said, “Tyndall has an enviable reputation for research excellence and impact around the world, and I am hugely excited and honoured to take up the role of CEO. I look forward to working with the team here, collaborating with existing and new partners as well as engaging closely with industry to further enhancing and developing Tyndall’s position as a forerunner in global innovation and research commercialisation”.