Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
With Ireland taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 2026, we’re happy to make you discover the journey and work of one of Irish colleagues: *Maurice Whelan* .
Maurice joined the Joint Research Centre through the @EuropeanCommission's Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship programme. A few years later, he continued his journey as permanent staff and, as he says, “I’ve been here ever since and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Over the years, Maurice has worked across different scientific fields. Today, he leads the EU reference laboratory for alternatives to animal testing and a team exploring new human-based tools for biomedical research and chemical testing, including 3D cell cultures, organ-on-chip devices and computer modelling.
To know more:
- EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM): https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/projects-and-activities/reference-and-measurement/european-union-reference-laboratories/eu-reference-laboratory-alternatives-animal-testing-eurl-ecvam_en
- ECVAM open access call: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/calls-proposals/european-union-reference-laboratory-alternatives-animal-testing-2026-1-rd-eurl-ecvam_en
- Alternatives to animal testing and safety assessment of chemicals: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/projects-and-activities/alternatives-animal-testing-and-safety-assessment-chemicals_en
- Organ on a chip: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/setting-out-roadmap-standardisation-organ-chip-technology-2025-01-13_en
© European Union, 2026
______________________________
🧪 *JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC)* 🔬
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge & science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.
As a department of the European Commission, we play a key role at multiple stages of the policy cycle. We work closely with other Commission departments, EU institutions and agencies, as well as with scientific partners and policy organisations in Europe and internationally. The JRC offers scientific expertise and competences from a very wide range of scientific disciplines in support of almost all EU policy areas.
🌐 JRC website: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu
✉️ JRC monthly newsletter: https://europa.eu/!JTyGpY
🔎 JRC vacancies: https://europa.eu/!HbMtKp
______________________________
📲 *FOLLOW US!* 📲
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/european-commission-joint-research-centre
Instagram: instagram.com/EU_Science
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/scienceinnovation.ec.europa.eu
Twitter (X): twitter.com/EU_ScienceHub
Facebook: facebook.com/EUScienceHub
#JointResearchCentre #JRC #EuropeanCommission #EuropeanUnion #EU #ScienceForPolicy #Science4policy #Science #Policy #Policymaking #Innovation #Research #ECVAM #Laboratory #AnimalWelfare #Chemistry
With Ireland taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 2026, we’re happy to make you discover the journey and work of one of Irish colleagues: *Maurice Whelan* .
Maurice joined the Joint Research Centre through the @EuropeanCommission's Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship programme. A few years later, he continued his journey as permanent staff and, as he says, “I’ve been here ever since and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Over the years, Maurice has worked across different scientific fields. Today, he leads the EU reference laboratory for alternatives to animal testing and a team exploring new human-based tools for biomedical research and chemical testing, including 3D cell cultures, organ-on-chip devices and computer modelling.
To know more:
- EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM): https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/projects-and-activities/reference-and-measurement/european-union-reference-laboratories/eu-reference-laboratory-alternatives-animal-testing-eurl-ecvam_en
- ECVAM open access call: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/calls-proposals/european-union-reference-laboratory-alternatives-animal-testing-2026-1-rd-eurl-ecvam_en
- Alternatives to animal testing and safety assessment of chemicals: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/projects-and-activities/alternatives-animal-testing-and-safety-assessment-chemicals_en
- Organ on a chip: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/setting-out-roadmap-standardisation-organ-chip-technology-2025-01-13_en
© European Union, 2026
______________________________
🧪 *JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC)* 🔬
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge & science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.
As a department of the European Commission, we play a key role at multiple stages of the policy cycle. We work closely with other Commission departments, EU institutions and agencies, as well as with scientific partners and policy organisations in Europe and internationally. The JRC offers scientific expertise and competences from a very wide range of scientific disciplines in support of almost all EU policy areas.
🌐 JRC website: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu
✉️ JRC monthly newsletter: https://europa.eu/!JTyGpY
🔎 JRC vacancies: https://europa.eu/!HbMtKp
______________________________
📲 *FOLLOW US!* 📲
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/european-commission-joint-research-centre
Instagram: instagram.com/EU_Science
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/scienceinnovation.ec.europa.eu
Twitter (X): twitter.com/EU_ScienceHub
Facebook: facebook.com/EUScienceHub
#JointResearchCentre #JRC #EuropeanCommission #EuropeanUnion #EU #ScienceForPolicy #Science4policy #Science #Policy #Policymaking #Innovation #Research #ECVAM #Laboratory #AnimalWelfare #Chemistry
