Prof. Anya Belz is Full Professor of Computer Science at Dublin City University's School of Computing and Science Lead at ADAPT Research Centre. A leading NLP researcher with PhD-level expertise, she specializes in natural language generation, evaluation methodologies, and multimodal systems. Recipient of multiple best paper awards and NAACL Test of Time Award nomination. Research innovations include foundational work on statistical language generation (deployed in weather forecasting systems), comparative evaluation frameworks, vision-language integration, and reproducibility quantification. Current EPSRC-funded ReproHum project coordinates 20 global labs studying evaluation consistency. Achievements : Developed industry-deployed generation systems for accessibility applications Pioneered cross-modal alignment techniques for image description Authored 100+ publications spanning generation, evaluation, and reproducibility
Conor Ryan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick. He is a Science Foundation Ireland-funded Investigator since 2002 and a member of multiple research centres including Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre. His research focuses on Genetic Programming, Grammatical Evolution, and their applications in domains like healthcare analytics, digital circuit design, and financial modeling. He has authored over 250 publications, with recent work emphasizing automated feature selection in medical diagnostics, neural architecture search, and blockchain ecosystems. Teaching includes courses on Foundations of Computer Science and Computer Games Programming. Research interests span evolutionary computation, machine learning, and interdisciplinary applications. Collaborations involve global institutions, reflecting his work's impact across computer science, engineering, and healthcare. His research has addressed challenges in breast cancer diagnosis via genetic algorithms, cryptocurrency volatility prediction using random forests, and automated generation of digital circuits. Ongoing projects explore interpretability in AI, energy-efficient computing, and sustainable transport systems through predictive analytics. Professional memberships include roles in the Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science and the Data-Driven Computer Engineering Research Centre, underscoring his commitment to interdisciplinary innovation.
Rosemary Monahan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University and an affiliate of the Hamilton Institute. She holds BSc and MSc degrees from University College Dublin and a PhD from Dublin City University. As Maynooth University's institutional lead for ADAPT (SFI Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology), she focuses on advancing software dependability through formal methods and AI integration. Her research interests include safety-critical systems, dependable software, formal verification, and computational thinking education. She co-founded the VerifyThis competition series and leads projects such as MAIVV (Modular AI Verification and Visualisation) funded by SFI, and VALU3S (Verification and Validation of Automated Systems) funded by Horizon 2020. She has secured over €2.5M in EU funding for the Erasmus Mundus programs in dependable software systems. Monahan’s educational contributions include pioneering computational thinking resources (CoCoA and InSPECT projects) and teaching modules on software verification and rigorous software processes. She supervises PhD students in data science and advanced networks and collaborates with institutions like INRIA, Microsoft Research, and Amazon Web Services. Her professional roles include editorships in journals like Science of Computer Programming and leadership in conferences like iFM and FMICS. She actively promotes gender equality in computing through initiatives like INGENIC and TechMate toolkits.
David Lillis is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD). His research focuses on Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their applications in legal and forensic contexts. He leads projects like CeADAR (Ireland’s Applied AI Center) and the Transpire project, collaborating with organizations such as Corlytics and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. He holds adjunct roles as a Guest Professor at Beijing University of Technology’s Data Mining and Security Lab and has been a Fulbright Scholar at the University of New Haven’s Cyber Forensics Research and Education Group. Education: B.A. (Hons) in Law and Accounting, University of Limerick Higher Diploma in Computer Science, UCD M.Sc., Ph.D. in Computer Science, UCD Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning, UCD Research Interests: Legal AI, digital forensics, machine learning, multi-agent systems, and information retrieval. Recent work includes NLP for regulatory analysis, crop yield prediction via neural networks, and AR-driven decision support systems. Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator: Transpire (AI Platform for Regulation) SFI Funded Investigator: CONSUS (Crop Optimization) PI: CeADAR Technology Centre Teaching roles include Deputy Programme Director for Software Engineering at Beijing-Dublin International College (BDIC) since 2014. Labs & Groups: UCD Forensics and Security Research Group, ML-Labs (SFI Centre for ML Training), and the Data Mining and Security Lab (BJUT).
Dr. Lucy Hederman is an Associate Professor in Computer Science at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), affiliated with the O'Reilly Institute. Her research focuses on leveraging data and documents to support clinical decision-making, particularly in healthcare knowledge work. She has led interdisciplinary projects addressing data integration for rare diseases (e.g., ANCA-vasculitis, MND) and socio-technical challenges in adopting patient-generated health data (PGHD) into clinical practice. Dr. Hederman has secured over €xxxk in research funding and leads the Heterogeneity and Interoperability (H&I) challenge in the SFI-funded ADAPT 2 Centre. Her educational background includes advanced studies in computer science and healthcare informatics, though specific degree details are not explicitly stated in the text. She has supervised 4 PhDs, 2 research MScs, and co-supervised 6 PhDs, while currently mentoring 8 graduate students. Her career includes founding TCD spinouts PBOC and BIOLOGIT, which align with her research in health informatics and technology. Key research interests include: Interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and technologists Data harmonization for multi-national clinical studies (e.g., FAIRVASC, Precision-ALS) Development of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) Design of mobile health (mHealth) tools for underserved populations Recent work emphasizes FAIR principles for healthcare data and socio-technical factors influencing PGHD adoption. She has contributed to over 70 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in initiatives like the EU-funded TRANSFORM project and HRB Primary Care Research Centre. Dr. Hederman’s professional memberships include the Irish Computer Society, ACM, and Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland. Her research has impacted healthcare practices in Ireland, with many MSc student projects influencing local health services.
John McDonald is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University, where he has held a faculty position since 2001. He is affiliated with the Maynooth University Hamilton Institute and the Assisted Living and Learning Institute (ALL). His research focuses on computer vision, robotics, and AI, emphasizing spatial perception and autonomous systems. He has contributed to areas such as visual SLAM, intelligent vehicle systems, and digital holography, with funding from SFI, EU, and other agencies. Currently, he is a Funded Investigator in Lero (SFI Research Centre for Software) and collaborates on the SFI Blended Autonomy Vehicles Spoke. Key research themes include simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), robotic navigation, 3D reconstruction, and applications in autonomous driving. His work integrates cutting-edge techniques in computer vision and machine learning to address challenges in spatial intelligence and perception. Publications highlight advancements in dense mapping, fisheye camera systems, and geospatial analysis. He has held visiting roles at MIT’s CSAIL and the National Centre for Geocomputation. His contributions span academic journals, conferences, and technical reports, reflecting a strong emphasis on both theoretical and applied robotics research. John McDonald has supervised numerous research projects and contributed to initiatives like the John and Pat Hume Doctoral Scholarships. His work bridges academia and industry, with a focus on real-world applications of autonomous systems and AI-driven robotics.
Dr. Vivek Nallur is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin. His research focuses on Machine Ethics, Multi-Agent Systems, emergence in socio-technical systems, and decentralized adaptation mechanisms. He holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham and advanced certifications in university teaching from UCD. Education: BBS, Delhi University Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Software Technology, National Centre for Software Technology MS, Carnegie Mellon University PhD, University of Birmingham Prof Cert University Teaching & Learning, University College Dublin Research Interests: Machine Ethics explores ethical decision-making in autonomous systems, while Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) are his primary tool for studying self-adaptation and emergence. He serves on key committees like IEEE P7008 (Ethically Driven Nudging) and the AAAI 2021 Spring Symposium on AI Ethics. His work bridges computer science with philosophy, law, and social sciences. Advising & Grants: Supervises three PhD students focusing on ethical AI, elder-care robotics, and AI governance. Leads the Machine Ethics Research Group and participates in the ML-Labs SFI grant (2019–2027). Professional Roles: Senior Member of IEEE, organizer for AAAI ethics symposia, and contributor to OpenAAL's ELSI panel. Teaches modules on Machine Learning, Operating Systems, and Web Development.
Dr. Edoardo Celeste is an Associate Professor of Law, Technology and Innovation at Dublin City University's School of Law and Government. He leads the Erasmus Mundus Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) and serves as Deputy Director of the Dublin European Law Institute. PhD, University College Dublin Law degrees: University of Rome 'La Sapienza', University of Paris II 'Panthéon-Assas', King’s College London His research focuses on digital rights, constitutionalism in digital contexts, and the intersection of law, technology, and sustainability. He coordinates the DCU Law and Tech Research Cluster and co-founded the Digital Constitutionalism Network. Recent publications examine digital sovereignty, AI sustainability, and constitutional responses to social media exclusion. His 2022 book Digital Constitutionalism: The Role of Internet Bills of Rights (Routledge) established him as a leading voice in the field. Irish Research Council Early Career Researcher of Year Award (2022) Principal Investigator for Cross-Border Data Protection Network (IRC/ESRC funded) Facebook Research grant for Digital Constitutionalism: Content Governance Standard project He supervises PhD students in digital rights, data protection, platform regulation, and digital sustainability while holding affiliations with the ADAPT Centre and UCD Centre for Human Rights.
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.
Simon Colreavy Donnelly is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick. He is a member of the Interaction Design Centre and focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, educational technology, and healthcare informatics. His work spans machine learning applications in medical data analysis, virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) for inclusive education, and deep learning techniques in chemical analysis and spectroscopy. Research Interests: His primary areas of investigation include generative AI for education equity, semisupervised learning algorithms, virtual learning environments design, and the ethical deployment of immersive technologies in healthcare and palliative care. He also explores NMR spectroscopy analysis using deep learning and develops tools for nutritional content estimation through image processing. Collaborations: His recent collaborations span international teams addressing challenges in toxicity-free online discourse (PAN 2024), semisupervised learning distribution mismatches, and VR applications for post-pandemic blended learning. His work integrates computational methods with real-world applications in education, healthcare, and chemical analysis. Labs/Teams: Active within the Interaction Design Centre at UL, his research group develops practical solutions for accessibility in digital education and healthcare systems, emphasizing user-centered design principles for extended reality applications.
Aysegul Liman-Kaban serves as an Assistant Professor in ICT/Digital Learning STEM Education at Maynooth University. Her work focuses on integrating immersive technologies like augmented reality, gamification, and AI into educational practices. She actively supervises PhD students and leads international research projects such as MIXAP-EU and From AI Anxiety to Empowerment. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided text Her research interests span: Immersive learning technologies (AR/XR, digital escape games) AI in education and generative AI applications Teacher digital competencies and professional development Flipped learning and multimedia pedagogy Ethical challenges in AI research Blended learning practices Recent publications demonstrate a focus on gamification, mixed reality, and AI applications in education, with methodological expertise in structural equation modeling, mixed methods research, and task-based learning analysis. She contributes to journals like Smart Learning Environments and Higher Education Quarterly . Key activities include: Organizing international conferences on STEAM education Leading EU-funded research on immersive learning tools Developing open-source educational technologies Pioneering generative AI integration frameworks
Prof Noel O'Connor is a Full Professor at Dublin City University's School of Electronic Engineering, specializing in cutting-edge research at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), medical imaging, robotics, and smart city technologies. His work spans applications such as cardiac MRI reconstruction, robotic manipulation using reinforcement learning, and the development of the Smart DCU Digital Twin for autism-friendly university environments. Research interests include AI-driven medical diagnostics, multimodal data fusion, and adaptive systems. His contributions to cardiac MRI reconstruction and transformer-based medical imaging analysis reflect a strong focus on healthcare innovation. He also explores ethical AI practices to reduce social bias in foundation models. Recent work emphasizes smart infrastructure projects, such as optimizing parking recommendations for electric vehicles and enhancing accessibility through digital twin frameworks. His research often integrates real-time sensor data and multi-agent systems to address complex urban challenges. No scientific awards are listed. Collaborations include the ASU-DCU International Research Program on Sensors and Machine Learning. Advising details and grant information are not explicitly provided.
Prof. Dorothy Kenny is a full professor of Translation Studies at Dublin City University, affiliated with the School of Applied Language & Intercultural Studies. She holds a BA in French and German from DCU, an MSc in Machine Translation, and a PhD in Language Engineering from the University of Manchester. Her research focuses on AI in literary translation, corpus linguistics, machine translation ethics, and translation pedagogy. She led the EU-funded MultiTraiNMT project (2019–2022), developing materials for MT education. She co-edits the journal Translation Spaces and is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (UK). Education: BA in French and German, Dublin City University MSc in Machine Translation, University of Manchester PhD in Language Engineering, University of Manchester Research Interests: Her work bridges theoretical and applied translation studies, emphasizing corpus-based methods, machine translation ethics, and the impact of AI on literary translation. Recent projects explore customization of MT for literary texts and ethical workflows in MT. Awards & Recognition: 2020: Co-edited Fair MT: Towards Ethical, Sustainable Machine Translation 2017: Edited Human Issues in Translation Technology 2020: Honorary Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Linguists Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator of MultiTraiNMT (EU-funded, 2019–2022) Recipient of Ulysses Travel Grant (2018–2019) for collaboration with Université Grenoble-Alpes Labs & Teams: She directs research at the Centre for Translation and Text Studies (CTTS) , fostering interdisciplinary work on translation technology and corpus linguistics.
Cathy Ennis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University, Ireland, specializing in perceptually guided graphics and virtual reality. She is actively involved in research and teaching, with affiliations to the ADAPT Centre and D-REAL SFI Centre for Research Training. Education: BEng in Electronic Engineering, Maynooth University MSc in Cognitive Science, University College Dublin PhD in Computer Graphics, Trinity College Dublin PG Dip in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, DIT Research Interests: Dr. Ennis's research centers on creating realistic virtual humans and crowds, exploring multisensory perception in VR, and applying these technologies in serious games and interactive systems. Her work integrates AI, HCI, and immersive technologies to enhance user engagement and learning. Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on virtual character realism, VR-based education, and machine learning applications in animation and interaction. Notable themes include speech-animation realism, cultural VR experiences, and reinforcement learning for character control. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award, IEEE VR 2022 Teaching and Supervision: Dr. Ennis currently teaches CS401 (Machine Learning and Neural Networks) and CS261 (Multimedia Technology). She is actively seeking PhD students and collaborators interested in VR, games, and virtual characters, particularly using machine learning for gesture generation and engagement. Labs and Teams: She is a Funded Investigator with the ADAPT Centre and D-REAL SFI Centre for Research Training, contributing to interdisciplinary research in AI, HCI, and immersive technologies.
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