Taoiseach Enda Kenny (right) presents The Science Foundation Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal 2017 to Dr. Pearse Lyons, president of Alltech, at the United States Institute of Peace. Photographed by Nick Crettier.

Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech, and Professor Adrian E. Raftery, professor of statistics and sociology at the University of Washington, have been presented with the Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) ‘St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal.’ The medal recognizes their outstanding accomplishments and their role in researching Ireland’s ecosystem. The honor is given to an Irish scientist, engineer or technology leader living and working in the U.S.

Dr. Lyons, born in Dundalk, is the first Irish scientist to have created a science-based global business. Alltech now trades in more than 120 countries, employees 5,000 team members and maintains three bioscience centers for research and education, one in County Meath, Ireland.

Congratulating the recipients at an award event held in the United States Institute of Peace in Washington D.C., An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, said: “I am delighted to present the SFI St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal on behalf of Science Foundation Ireland, to these two exceptional leaders. Dr. Lyons and Prof. Raftery have both had a huge impact in their own areas of expertise and played pivotal roles in the development of researchers in Ireland.”