Gerry McKenna

During McKenna's successive tenures as founding Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre, Head of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Dean of Science, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research), and finally Vice Chancellor/President of the University of Ulster, the university became the foremost provider of healthcare programs (both undergraduate and postgraduate), and was top-ranked for research (5*) in Biomedical Sciences and Celtic Studies in the UK, one of only 20 universities to have two 5* ratings.[4] It also became the largest university on the island of Ireland.[5] The university rose to 27th in Quality Research Funding (research power) in the UK and was shortlisted for Sunday Times University of the Year.[6]

McKenna has strongly promoted social inclusion,[7] most notably via the acclaimed 'Step Up' program for school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. He also established a range of e-learning programs via Campus One.[8][9][10]

• Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS)[11]
• Universities Ireland
• US-Ireland R&D Partnership.[12]
• Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA)[13]
• Catalyst Inc (formerly Northern Ireland Science Park)
• Benburb Priory Library & Museum[14]
• Benburb Priory Ltd
• Order of Mary Servite Trust
• Celtic Academies Alliance[15]

• Chair, Health Technology and Informatics Advisory Committee; Biomedical Sciences Advisor; Hong Kong Polytechnic University[16]
• Chair, Management Board of the Benburb Servite Priory Library and Museum[16][14]
• Chair, Benburb Priory Ltd
• Chair, Board of Order of Mary Servite Trust and Chair of Finance Committee
• Member, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Benchmarking Working Groups for Biosciences and Biomedical Sciences[16][17]
• Member, Advisory Committee, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Member, International Advisory Board, University of Kufa[16][18]
• Chair, Universities Ireland
• Keys to the City of Portland, Maine[16]
• Honoree, Harvard Friends of Celtic Studies[19] and the Flax Trust America, New York City[20][16]
• Honorary Doctorates, National University of Ireland (NUI) and Queen's University Belfast[21]
• Chair, Northern Ireland Foresight, Life and Health Technologies Panel[6]
• Chair, Independent Advisory Group, Doctoral Training Alliance[22]
• Co-chair, Royal Irish Academy Brexit Taskforce[23]
• Chair, Royal Irish Academy, North-South Standing Committee
• Chair, Royal Irish Academy, Higher Education Futures Taskforce[24][25]
• Senior Vice President, Vice President, Member, Member of Council, Royal Irish Academy[26][27]
• President, President Emeritus, Hon Executive Secretary, Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS)[28]
• Vice Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry[29]

Website: Professor P. G. (Gerry) McKenna - Home