Most of the TG Group attended as delegates at the 6th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry at the University of Sussex in Brighton. Prof Thorrri Gunnlaugsson delivered a talk on the recent research of the group on Monday morning. Dr Oxana Kotova gave a flash presentation on her poster “Sensing of biologically and environmentally relevant metal cations using lanthanide-based luminescent displacement assays in aqueous solution”. Nine members of the group also presented posters at this busy and fascinating meeting.

On Friday 27th May, Professor Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy, the principal learned society in Ireland for the sciences and humanities. The RIA promotes excellence in scholarship, and recognises achievements in learning. Membership is the highest Irish academic honour. Professor Luke Drury, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said “In admitting these new members, we honour their contributions to knowledge, intellectual debate and engagement with civic society. Ireland's future largely depends on having such talented and dedicated people living and working here; an important function of the Academy is to give public recognition to this.”

Elaine Boyle, Laura Truman and Swagata Banerjee of the TG Group presented their work today in the Dublin Chemistry Third Year PhD Talks Programme in UCD. Each of them gave a presentation and then took questions from the floor.

Various members of the TG Group were involved in the meeting on Photochemistry and Photochemical effects organised by the RSC Photochemical Group with Dublin Chemistry and incorporating the Young and Early Career Researchers' Meeting 2011. Despite the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Trinity College, the meeting went ahead in UCD on Monday and Tuesday, before returning to the intended venue for the final day. Dr Steve Comby gave a talk on sensing of biologically relevant d-metal ions using lanthanides cyclen-based luminescent displacement assays in aqueous solution. Robert Elmes spoke the next day about his work on ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes as potential DNA probes and anti-cancer phototherapetics. Posters were presented by Swagata Banerjee, Dawn Barry, Jon Kitchen, and Robert Elmes. The meeting was a great success thanks to organisers Rachel Evans, John Kelly and Han Vos.

Jon presented some of his work at the RSC Materials Workshop on Multi-Functional Materials in the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology at University College Dublin. The RSC description for the meeting was as follows: “This is a two day meeting for resesarchers at all levels and is designed as a discursive workshop with a pedagogical element. The main theme is finding ways to use molecular magnets (SMMs and SCO complexes) in real devices. Talks will be delivered by leading experts and younger researchers including postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers.”

Rob Elmes and Brian McMahon submitted their theses to the College today. The three and a half years of hard work have finally paid off and the group celebrated with a well-deserved party!

Christophe Lincheneau successfully defended his thesis today at a viva in the School of Chemistry, TCD. Celebrations ensued. Dr Lincheau will soon return to France before taking up a postdoctoral position in Bologna

Tonight the group celebrated the approaching holidays with a meal in Ukiyo followed by karaoke! A good night was had by all.

Various member of the TG Group took part in the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology's ninth annual symposium in the Davenport Hotel, Dublin. Prof Thorri Gunnlaugsson chaired a talk by Prof Bernhard Kräutler (Universität Innsbruck, Austria) while Robert Elmes, Dr Oxana Kotova and Swagata Banerjee presented posters on their research.

Today, Jennifer Molloy had her viva at which she defended her thesis. Congratulations! In the New Year, Jen will be relocating to Bologna to take up a postdoc.