the RNA polymerase, prior to that sequence of events being reversed. Pursuing this research approach, Gannon's team subsequently showed that DNA methylation (previously thought to be an indelible mark) was also subject to dynamic and cyclical change. Scientific Foundation Ireland In 2007, after 13 years at the helm of EMBO, Gannon accepted the position of Director General of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). SFI had been established by the Irish government 10 years earlier to recruit and retain high-quality researchers based on their excellence, with the expectation that this would provide an extra offering and possibilities for multi-national and local companies that had activities particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals, information technology and energy. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Soon after Gannon moved to Dublin for the SFI position, Ireland faced a major economic setback that ultimately required a bailout from the EU and the International Monetary Fund. Faced with the uncertainty of future funding for SFI, Gannon decided to move again, and in 2010, he accepted the position of Director and CEO of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) in Brisbane, Australia. Gannon started at QIMR in January 2011. The name of the institute was changed to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (QIMR Berghofer), following Gannon's successful attraction of a major donation from Clive Berghofer – a philanthropist and property developer from Toowoomba. At QIMR Berghofer, Gannon restructured the Institute so that it had four programs (Cancer, Infectious Diseases, Mental Health, and Chronic Disorders) and four departments (Genetics and Computational Biology, Immunology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Population Health. Gannon made a specific effort to extend translation of the institute's research, through industry, to the clinic. He also placed emphasis on developing better contacts with Asia, which resulted in increased research and commercial collaborations, particularly with China and India. He also reactivated his research group focusing on enzymes involved in epigenetic modifications. In 2019, Gannon announced he was retiring after nine years at the helm of the Institute. Other appointments Vice-President of the European Heads of Research Council Advisor to the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation Co-founded of the European Life Sciences Forum and the Initiative for Science in Europe, which played significant roles in the establishment of the European Research Council Scientific advisory board member, International Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (Warsaw, Poland) Elected member of the Royal Irish Academy Elected member of Academia Europae Elected