An influential US politician saw at first hand the growing contribution of the University of Ulster’s Magee campus to research and development during a recent visit to the North West.

Senator Therese Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate, accompanied by Foyle Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson, visited the Intelligent Systems Research Centre where IRSC Director Professor Martin McGinnity gave her a briefing on the pioneering work underway.

Senator Murray was welcomed to the campus by Professor Deirdre Heenan, Acting Provost and Dean of Academic Development, who said: “We are honoured to welcome Senator Murray and keen to take this opportunity to further strengthen our links with North America.

“Staff in the ISRC are already collaborating on leading edge projects with colleagues in Boston and elsewhere in the United States, and their work plays a major role in enhancing our international profile. Next year, Magee will have the distinction of having a Distinguished Fulbright Chair in American Studies, which is a professorial role that will also add to its growing reputation in North America.”

Senator Murray also visited C-TRIC - the award winning "translational medicine" facility based in the grounds of Altnagelvin Hospital - where she was welcomed by key representative stakeholders, including Elaine Way, Chief Executive, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) and Aideen McGinley, Chief Executive, ILEX. The Senator toured the facility with Barry Henderson and Professor Tony Bjourson of the University of Ulster and afterwards praised its diverse activities and highlighted its huge potential.

Slideshow: Senator Therese Murray and colleagues visit the Magee campus and C-TRIC:

http://news.ulster.ac.uk/podcasts/ThereseMurray.mov