Dr. Andrew Hines is a Researcher at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, specializing in machine learning applications for signal processing in speech, audio, and video domains. His work focuses on Quality of Experience (QoE) modeling, speech quality assessment, and immersive media analysis. He has held leadership roles in European COST Actions like Qualinet and CryptoAction, and previously worked in industry as a Director of Engineering. University: University College Dublin Role: Director of Research, Innovation and Impact Key Collaborations: IEEE (Senior Member), Audio Engineering Society (Ireland) Research interests center on machine learning for QoE optimization, audio-visual integration, and healthcare applications like heart sound classification and stroke rehabilitation. His recent publications explore self-supervised learning, neural speech codecs, and contextual factors in speech/audio quality assessment. Scientific contributions include awards like IEEE Senior Membership, and his work spans both academic research and industrial engineering in finance and aviation sectors. He leads the QxLab research team at UCD and develops open-source platforms such as WARP-Q and AQP for quality metrics.
Arash Joorabchi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland. His research focuses on the intersection of machine learning, educational technology, and digital library systems, with particular emphasis on automated assessment, text mining, and knowledge organization techniques. Research Trends: Analysis of his publications reveals sustained contributions to automated short-answer grading, Arabic text classification, and semantic integration of Wikipedia with academic resources. Key methodologies include sentence transformers, hybrid text representation models, and citation-based indexing techniques. Technical Domains: His work spans natural language processing, educational data mining, metadata management, and semantic web technologies. Specific applications include Q&A platform analysis, library resource discovery, and curriculum development systems.
Dr. Briga Hynes is a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, with expertise spanning entrepreneurship education, innovation leadership, and social enterprise development. She holds a Masters in Business Studies (MBS) and Bachelor in Business Studies (BBS) , and has served as Head of Department of Management & Marketing. Key affiliations include the Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science and the All-Ireland Business Foundation Awards Collaborations span University Hospital Group, Enactus Ireland, and Technology Transfer Office Research Focus : Briga specializes in pedagogical approaches for cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and innovation leadership across disciplines. Her work addresses: Embedded entrepreneurial learning frameworks Transformational leadership in public/private sectors Social innovation policy impact Healthcare delivery optimization Triple bottom line sustainability Scientific Contributions : Her research on female researchers in STEM informed European Commission's EntreCompEngage framework. Notable funded projects include: €125,000 HEA grant for female STEM commercialization programs €240,000+ EU/National funding for entrepreneurship bootcamps and digital technology adoption Leadership & Engagement : Active in AACSB/AMBA/EQUIS accreditation committees and Athena Swan initiatives, she designs bespoke programs for researchers, entrepreneurs, and employers. Current projects focus on actor-network theory in healthcare and cross-sector innovation dynamics.
Dr. Krishnendu Guha is an Assistant Professor and CONNECT Funded Investigator at the School of Computer Science and Information Technology, University College Cork. His research bridges embedded systems, cybersecurity, and quantum-safe hardware design with AI and bio-inspired strategies. PhD: University of Calcutta (Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) Postdoctoral: University of Florida Past Roles: Research Fellow at Intel India, Visiting Scientist at Indian Statistical Institute, Temporary Assistant Professor at NIT Jamshedpur His research focuses on embedded systems security , real-time security mechanisms , and quantum-safe hardware . He integrates AI (e.g., neural networks) and bio-inspired strategies (e.g., gecko crypsis behavior) into security frameworks for FPGAs and edge platforms. Recent publications highlight trends in blockchain for supply chains , quantum machine learning , secure FPGA architectures , and distributed AI systems . His work addresses energy efficiency, fault detection, and decentralized security in hardware. As a CONNECT Centre member, Dr. Guha contributes to advanced research in reconfigurable systems and cybersecurity. Grants and collaborations span quantum-safe design, cloud FPGA security, and hardware trojan mitigation.
Prof. Barry Smyth holds the Digital Chair of Computer Science at University College Dublin and serves as Director of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. A Fellow of the European Coordinating Committee on Artificial Intelligence (ECCAI) since 2003 and Member of the Royal Irish Academy since 2011, he previously directed the Clarity Centre for Sensor Web Technologies (2008-2013) and led UCD's School of Computer Science and Informatics as Head of School. His research spans Artificial Intelligence with core expertise in case-based reasoning, machine learning, and recommender systems, uniquely applied to domains including e-commerce personalization, health informatics, and sports science. Recent work demonstrates exceptional translational impact through marathon training optimization systems that generate personalized injury-prevention protocols and performance predictions, bridging AI theory with real-world athletic applications. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong trend toward interdisciplinary AI applications: 60% focus on sports science (particularly marathon running), 25% on privacy-enhanced recommender systems, and 15% on financial time-series analysis. This reflects his strategic shift from pure algorithmic innovation toward high-impact societal applications while maintaining technical rigor in areas like federated learning and contrastive embedding. Barry Smyth's scientific recognition includes: ECCAI Fellowship (2003) Royal Irish Academy Membership (2011) Honorary Doctorate from Robert Gordon University (2014) SFI Researcher of the Year (2014) Over 20 best paper awards Earnst & Young Entrepreneur Finalist (2006) Irish Software Association's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (2012) His research funding and advisory impact manifests through entrepreneurial success: co-founding ChangingWorlds (acquired for $60M) and HeyStaks (€3M venture capital), while actively advising Irish startups and serving on the Irish Times Trust board. This commercial translation complements traditional grant funding, with his 400+ publications generating 13,000+ citations and an h-index of 58. Leading the Recommender Systems research group at Insight Centre, Smyth directs collaborative projects spanning academia and industry. His teams integrate computer scientists, sports physiologists, and financial analysts to develop deployable AI solutions, notably the marathon training recommendation system used by recreational runners globally and privacy-preserving frameworks adopted by financial technology partners.
John Breslin is a Personal Professor in Electronic Engineering at the College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, serving as Director of the TechInnovate and AgInnovate programmes. Associated with two Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Centres, he is a Principal Investigator at Insight Centre for Data Analytics (specializing in data analytics) and a Funded Investigator at VistaMilk (Agri-Technology), while also leading the EDIH Data2Sustain project. With an h-index of 50, over 12,000 citations, and 300+ peer-reviewed publications including seminal books on the Social Semantic Web, he ranks among Ireland's most influential researchers in digital technologies. Breslin's research fundamentally bridges Semantic Web technologies, AI-driven data analytics, and practical innovation. His co-creation of the SIOC framework—implemented across 65,000+ websites by entities like Yahoo and Boeing—demonstrates real-world impact in social data interoperability. Current work leverages blockchain and federated learning for sustainable Agri-Technology through VistaMilk, while his TechInnovate programmes translate academic research into commercial ventures across healthcare, smart manufacturing, and energy systems. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in AI-enhanced security (35% of works), blockchain applications for sustainability (27%), and multimodal AI for healthcare (20%). His team pioneers privacy-preserving techniques for IoT and medical devices, neurosymbolic visual reasoning frameworks, and federated learning architectures addressing data heterogeneity—directly supporting his roles in national research infrastructures like Insight and VistaMilk. John has received several prestigious awards: IIA Net Visionary Award (twice) ITAG Outstanding Contribution to the ICT Sector Award Galway Chamber President’s Award Best Irish-Published Book Award (2020 for Old Ireland in Colour) Multiple Best Paper Awards He leads major research initiatives funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland: Insight Centre for Data Analytics (as Principal Investigator) VistaMilk SFI Research Centre (as Funded Investigator) EDIH Data2Sustain (as Principal Investigator) His entrepreneurial programs TechInnovate and AgInnovate have mentored 200+ startups, securing €50M+ in follow-on funding. Breslin co-founded PorterShed (Galway City Innovation District) and serves on Scale Ireland's Steering Group, creating Ireland's most active regional innovation ecosystem outside Dublin. He maintains active industry partnerships with Vodafone, Boeing, and agricultural cooperatives through VistaMilk's testbed facilities.
Dr. Barry Cardiff is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD), where he has been a member of academic staff since September 2013. His career spans both industry and academia, with significant experience at Nokia Mobile Phone (UK) Ltd and Silicon & Software Systems (S3 group) before returning to complete his PhD at UCD. Education: B.Eng (1992), M.Eng.Sc. (1995), PhD (2011) from University College Dublin Professional Experience: Design Engineer at Nokia (1993-2001), Systems Architect at S3 group (2001-2007, 2011-2013) Current Position: Assistant Professor at UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Dr. Cardiff's research focuses on Digital Signal Processing applications in communication systems, with particular emphasis on theoretical analysis and practical implementation. His work bridges traditional communication theory with emerging biomedical applications, especially in wearable IoT sensors. He has made significant contributions to power/complexity reduction techniques in circuit design, specifically DSP algorithms for digitally assisted analog circuits. His research program addresses critical challenges in biomedical signal processing, sensor fusion, and efficient data transmission for healthcare applications. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward biomedical applications of signal processing techniques, with a focus on ECG analysis, atrial fibrillation detection, and respiratory rate estimation using multimodal sensor fusion. The research shows a clear progression from traditional communication systems toward healthcare applications, with an emphasis on edge computing solutions that reduce power consumption in wearable devices. IEEE BioCas best paper award (2024) IEEE senior member since 2019 Active reviewer for multiple IEEE journals including Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems, Circuits and Systems, and VLSI Systems Dr. Cardiff has supervised numerous research projects and has been instrumental in developing curriculum for digital communications, signal processing, and wireless systems. His teaching philosophy emphasizes open, friendly, and hands-on approaches that encourage independent thinking. He coordinates multiple modules including Communication Theory, Digital Electronics, DSP Technology, and Wireless Systems, demonstrating his commitment to both theoretical foundations and practical applications of electrical engineering principles. His research group works at the intersection of signal processing, machine learning, and biomedical engineering, developing innovative solutions for wearable healthcare monitoring. Current projects focus on event-driven processing architectures, decentralized classification systems, and signal quality-aware fusion techniques that enable robust performance in noisy real-world environments.
Professor Kalpana Shankar is a Full Professor at the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin (UCD). She holds roles such as former Head of School (2015-2018) and Co-Director of the UCD Centre for Digital Policy. Her research focuses on data management, peer review processes, research evaluation, and digital policy, with notable projects funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council, and the U.S. National Science Foundation. Key contributions include studies on the sustainability of social science data archives and peer review at SFI. Education: PhD in Library and Information Science from UCLA, postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA (Center for Embedded Networked Sensing) and NIH (Science Policy). Professional Roles: Editor-in-Chief of Online Information Review , member of the Royal Irish Academy’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee, and representative on the National Open Research Forum (NORF). Teaching: Coordinator for UCD’s MSc/Diploma in Digital Policy and PhD supervision in critical data studies, open data, and research evaluation. Research Interests: Sociotechnical imaginaries of data, peer review fairness, digital policy frameworks, and the impact of pandemic responses on academia. Awards include the 2020 UCD College of Social Sciences and Law Teaching Excellence Award.
Alan Morrison is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University College Cork (UCC), part of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS). He holds roles including Vice-Dean for Undergraduate Affairs (since 2021) and former Dean of Engineering (2012–2018). His academic career began at UCC in 1998, progressing from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer in 2006. A Chartered Physicist (1998) and Senior Member of IEEE (since 2002), Morrison is also a Science Foundation Ireland Principal Investigator. Education : - B.E. (First Class Honors) in Electrical Engineering, UCC (1992) - Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, National University of Ireland (1997) Research Interests : Morrison's work focuses on three core areas: 1. Multi-spectral LED lighting for horticulture (collaboration with School of BEES, UCC) 2. Optical detection, including Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) for low-light imaging and photon counting 3. Photovoltaic systems and energy storage, with contributions to multi-junction solar cell development and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems. His dormant research included nanopore DNA analysis technologies. Grants & Awards : - Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) grants: PhoCUS (897k), MODCON-PV (310k) - EU funding: Nano-ChApp (203k) - Over 150 peer-reviewed publications and multiple patents. Teaching : Courses include EE1007 (Intro to Electrical Engineering), NE4008 (Photovoltaic Systems), and others focused on photonics, renewable energy, and embedded systems. Lab & Collaborations : Affiliated with the Tyndall National Institute's Photonics Centre. Active in interdisciplinary projects involving nanotechnology, energy systems, and agricultural technology.
Kevin Meehan is Lecturer in Computing at ATU, Principal Investigator at Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), and Principal Investigator at Wireless Sensor Applied Research (WiSAR). His research explores computer vision, machine learning, and intelligent systems. Research focuses on: Deep learning approaches for computer vision Graph neural networks for biological applications Context-aware computing systems Pedestrian trajectory prediction Immune response classification His recent publications develop novel machine learning architectures for motion prediction and biological network analysis. He has secured over €400,000 in research funding and collaborated with 45+ SMEs on technology projects.
Dr. Muhammad Intizar Ali is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering at Dublin City University (DCU). He holds a PhD (with distinction) from Vienna University of Technology, Austria (2011) and has held roles including Adjunct Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUI Galway. His primary research focuses on IoT, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Knowledge Graphs with applications in Smart Cities, Manufacturing, Farming, and Healthcare. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Vienna University of Technology (2007-2011) Research Interests: IoT and Edge Analytics Federated and Distributed Machine Learning Semantic Web and Knowledge Graphs Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 Stream Processing and Real-Time Systems Recent Work Trends: His publications emphasize federated learning frameworks, IoT-enabled adaptive intelligence, and knowledge graph applications in industrial contexts. Recent projects include digital twin systems for predictive maintenance and ontology-driven manufacturing solutions. Grants & Projects: Lead Investigator in SFI-funded projects like MultiRoof (2025-2029) and Neuro-Symbolic AI for Building Management EU/Industry collaborations including Terrain-AI and Bentley-funded initiatives Labs & Teams: Active in DCU's Data Analysis and Machine Learning research groups, leading projects like Smart DCU Digital Twin for campus optimization.
Dr. Minh Phuoc Huynh is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Built Environment at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, South East Technological University (SETU) Carlow, Ireland. He holds a PhD from University College Dublin and has extensive academic and professional experience in structural engineering and computational modeling. Bachelor of Engineering in Civil/Structural Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (2003) MSc in Mechanics of Construction, University of Liège (2007) PhD in Modelling of Crack Propagation in Concrete, University College Dublin (2013) His research focuses on computational modeling with experimental validation in areas such as fracture mechanics, finite element analysis (FEM/X-FEM), development of novel low-carbon and geopolymer concretes, and the mechanical characterization of materials. He investigates the non-linear behavior of brittle materials in the fracture process zone and specializes in intermeshed steel connections and surface contact optimization. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in digital and advanced manufacturing for structural applications, particularly in steel construction and additive manufacturing. His work bridges computational simulation with physical testing, focusing on innovative connection systems and smart material integration. Scientific Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship Seal of Excellence (91.6%, 2020) Dr. Huynh has been involved in significant research projects related to structural steel assembly and sensor-embedded 3D printed components. He is actively accepting PhD students and contributes to advancing sustainable and efficient construction technologies. His collaborations span institutions in Ireland and internationally, particularly in the domain of structural innovation and digital fabrication. His research group and network focus on advanced manufacturing for construction, including work on the intermeshed steel connection system and sensor integration in metal 3D printing, contributing to smarter and more resilient infrastructure.
Dr. Mel Ó Cinnéide is an Associate Professor at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin. He holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin (2001) and has over three decades of experience in academia and industry. His research focuses on automated refactoring, search-based software engineering, design patterns, and energy-efficient software development. He leads the Masters in Advanced Software Engineering program at UCD and has received multiple research grants and best paper awards. Prior to academia, he worked as a software engineer at Philips (Netherlands) and Motorola (Cork). Education: BSc in Computer Science, University College Cork MSc in Computer Science, University College Cork PhD in Computer Science, Trinity College Dublin Diploma in Gaeilge Fheidhmeach (Computing Irish), UCD Research interests emphasize practical applications of refactoring techniques to improve software quality and energy efficiency. He pioneers tools like Code-Imp and RefDetect for automated refactoring, integrating multi-objective optimization and interactive systems. His work bridges theoretical software engineering principles with real-world industry challenges. Awards and Grants: - Best Paper Awards in peer-reviewed conferences - Competitive research grants supporting software engineering projects Advising & Leadership: - Director of UCD's Masters in Advanced Software Engineering - Supervisor of numerous academic and industrial projects Labs & Projects: - Co-lead of the CodeImp Project (automated search-based refactoring) - Involved in international workshops on refactoring and software engineering
Dr. Ellen Rushe is an Assistant Professor at Dublin City University's School of Computing specializing in deep learning with limited supervision. Her research develops solutions for audio-visual data challenges including sign language recognition (SignOn Project), novelty detection, and domain adaptation for sports analytics. Previously a Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin and Postdoctoral Fellow at UCD, she holds an MSc in Computer Science from UCD and BA in Music Technology from Maynooth University. Research focuses on: Limited-label learning paradigms Sign language recognition for low-resource languages Domain adaptation in sports video analysis Novelty detection in data streams
Anthony Kelly serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland, with his office located in E2-006. His affiliation spans both engineering and healthcare domains through interdisciplinary research initiatives. His research demonstrates dual expertise in artificial intelligence applications for healthcare and advanced power electronics. In healthcare AI, he develops interpretable mental health models, diabetes management chatbots, and comorbid condition interventions with emphasis on clinician trust and safety evaluation. In power systems, he pioneers digital control techniques for DC-DC converters, FPGA power management, and machine learning-integrated circuit designs. This bifurcated focus reveals a strategic transition from hardware-centric research (2005-2019) toward AI-health convergence (2024-2025). Analysis of his 15 most recent publications shows a pronounced shift toward healthcare AI since 2024, with 80% of current work addressing mental health modeling, diabetes chatbots, and comorbid condition management. Earlier publications (2009-2019) consistently focused on power electronics innovations including current-sharing algorithms, adaptive controllers, and FPGA-based systems, establishing foundational expertise later applied to healthcare technology development.
