Michael McGlinchey at 80
A Celebration of Inorganic Chemistry
Wednesday 12th of March 2025
UCD School of Chemistry celebrated the achievements of (opens in a new window)Emeritus Professor Michael McGlinchey for his 80th birthday with a special half-day symposium on the 12th of March 2025. The event was hosted by Associate Professor Grace Morgan, and we were delighted that both Professor McGlinchey and his lovely wife Barbara were able to attend the celebrations.
Left to Right: Grace Morgan, Barbara McGlinchey, Didier Astruc, and Michael McGlinchey
Professor McGlinchey’s distinguished career in Inorganic Chemistry began with his PhD from the University of Manchester. He worked for many years on faculty at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, before coming to University College Dublin’s School of Chemistry in 2002. As well as completing important research into the synthesis and biological testing of pharmaceuticals modified by the incorporation of organometallic moieties for the treatment of breast and prostate cancer, Professor McGlinchey served as both Head of Department and Head of School while at UCD Chemistry. He was also elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2008.
We were delighted to host two invited speakers to contribute to this occasion in Professor McGlinchey’s honour. (opens in a new window)Dr Elizabeth Hillard, Director of Research, ICMCB and University of Bordeaux gave a fascinating talk entitled “Exotic chiroptical properties of coordination complexes in the solid state” and the eminent (opens in a new window)Professor Didier Astruc from the Institute des Sciences Moléculaires at the University of Bordeaux delivered a high level account of ferrocene dendrimer chemistry in his lecture on “Dendrimer Art: Construction, Electronics, Catalysis and Theranostics”.
Michael McGlinchey cuts his birthday cake
After a break for coffee and birthday cake, not to mention a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ led by some of our Graduate Studies students, Professor McGlinchey presented his talk “From Steroid-Chromium Complexes to Ferrocenyl Quinone Methide Anti-Cancer Drugs: Four Decades of Bioorganometallic Chemistry” to the assembled audience of School of Chemistry staff and graduate studies students. The evening was rounded off by a reception and meal at the University Club in honour of Professor McGlinchey, to thank him for his contribution to both the School and the field of inorganic chemistry research which continues in his retirement.
School of Chemistry Staff & Guests at Dinner in UCD University Club