Dr Jakub Gajewski, Research Programme Director at the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery, has been announced as the winner of the Impact Award in the Researcher of the Year (IRC legacy) Awards.

The awards were announced at an event on Wednesday, 15 January to celebrate the very best of Irish Research Council-funded researchers deemed to have made highly significant and valuable contributions to knowledge, society, culture and innovation.

Dr Gajewski was presented with the Impact Award for his leadership in advancing sustainable healthcare for underserved populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. His leadership in two European Commission-funded projects, COST and SURG-Africa (2011-2021), implemented in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania, has been instrumental in addressing the global shortage of safe surgery. Additionally, through his involvement RCSI Institute of Global Surgery’s Akazi Project on breast cancer control in Malawi, he has promoted early detection, raised awareness, and improved access to screening in underserved communities.

Commenting on the award Dr Gajewski said: “Receiving the Impact Award is both an honour and a source of renewed energy. It is a powerful reminder that research is not solely about publishing papers but about driving meaningful, lasting change. I am deeply grateful to RCSI and to my incredible team and collaborators who have made this work possible.”

Peter Brown, Director, Researcher Development in Research Ireland congratulated the Researcher of the Year (IRC legacy) awardees, adding: “The researchers being honoured today have demonstrated excellence in their many achievements within and beyond their disciplines. The awardees are wonderful examples of those that have gone above and beyond to bring new knowledge and understandings to the fore. At different stages in their research journey, they are enriching their respective fields and Ireland’s research and innovation system.”

In August 2024, the Irish Research Council (IRC) amalgamated with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to become Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the new national funding agency for research and innovation in Ireland. As the award recipients were previously funded by the Irish Research Council, this 2024 awards round have been made as Researcher of the Year (IRC legacy) Awards. Dr Gajewski is Research Programme Director at RCSI’s Insitute of Global Surgery. Building on extensive experience in surgical training, education and research partnerships in Africa, the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery works with local, national and international partners to improve access to high-quality, essential surgical care for underserved populations.