Curran Henry

Henry Curran is an Established Professor in Energy Chemistry and Director of the Combustion Chemistry Centre at the National University of Ireland, Galway. With a career spanning over two decades, he has held academic roles as a Personal Professor in Combustion Chemistry (2013–2019) and a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry (2005–2013) at NUI Galway, preceded by a Lecturer role at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (1999–2005) and research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1994–1999).

• Established Professor (Energy Chemistry), NUI Galway (2019–present)
• Director, Combustion Chemistry Centre, NUI Galway (2006–present)
• Personal Professor (Combustion Chemistry), NUI Galway (2013–2019)

His research focuses on combustion chemistry, particularly chemical kinetics and energy systems. He specializes in generating detailed chemical kinetic models for fuel pyrolysis and oxidation, with applications in fossil fuels, renewable energy, and engine combustion technologies. Collaborative research spans institutions like Imperial College London, Princeton University, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, with industrial partnerships at Shell Research UK and Saudi Arabian Oil Company.

His publications (230 refereed papers, 201 conference presentations, and 46 invited lectures) emphasize energy chemistry and combustion modeling. The 2019 book chapter on Detailed kinetics of fossil and renewable fuel combustion exemplifies his work in chemical reaction mechanisms and fuel oxidation.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Named a Top 1% cited researcher (Clarivate Analytics) annually since 2014
• Awarded the Boyle-Higgins Gold Medal and Lecture by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland (2017)
• Plenary Lecture at the 37th International Symposium on Combustion (2018)
• Inaugural Fellow of the Combustion Institute (2018)
• NUI Galway President’s Award for Research Excellence (2014)