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Paul O'Toole is a Professor of Microbial Genomics and Principal Investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork. His research focuses on the gut microbiome's role in health, aging, and disease, particularly in the context of diet and probiotics. He leads projects like the ELDERMET study on elderly nutrition and the NU-AGE project exploring Mediterranean diets' anti-aging effects. He holds a BA (Mod.) from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from Lund University, with postdoctoral training in Canada and New Zealand. Key grants include studies on dairy-derived microbiota, probiotic strain improvement, and microbiome analysis in aging populations. He has published extensively on Lactobacillus genomics, gut-brain interactions, and microbiome-driven health outcomes. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical applications, emphasizing translational research. Scientific highlights include discovering microbiome links to cognitive decline, demonstrating dietary modulation of gut microbes to combat obesity, and identifying keystone species in healthy aging. He advocates for sustainability in conservation and food systems, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to global health challenges.

• Microbial Genomics
• Gut Microbiome
• Aging and Healthy Aging
• +4 more

Tanja Narancic is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science at University College Dublin (UCD). She is also an academic collaborator at the Bioeconomy Research Centre BiOrbic, where she coordinates multiple research projects among PIs, PostDocs, PhD students, and designs projects proposed by industrial partners. Dr. Narancic earned her PhD in Applied Microbiology from the University of Belgrade, Serbia in 2012, followed by postdoctoral research at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering in Belgrade. In 2013, she joined University College Dublin as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow under Prof. Kevin O'Connor, where she investigated microbial metabolic pathways using proteomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology tools as part of FP7 and H2020 projects. She became a Research Fellow at BiOrbic in 2019 before advancing to her current position as Assistant Professor. Her research focuses on elucidating bacterial metabolism and leveraging synthetic biology tools to exploit bacteria for producing high-value products. Key research areas include: Proteomics, Metabolomics, and Transcriptomics for microbial pathway analysis Metabolic engineering for bioproduction Biocatalysis and enzyme optimization Protein engineering and purification Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from waste streams Plastic upcycling and biodegradation technologies Dr. Narancic's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on converting plastic waste into valuable biodegradable materials through innovative biotechnological approaches. Her recent work has centered on developing microbial systems for upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefins, and other recalcitrant plastics into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and other high-value products. She has made significant contributions to understanding the metabolic pathways involved in plastic monomer conversion and has developed engineered strains with enhanced capabilities for plastic upcycling. As a principal investigator, Dr. Narancic leads multiple significant research projects including the Ad Astra Studentship (2023-2028), the UPLIFT project on sustainable plastics for food packaging (2021-2025), and the PROMOFER project (2024-2028) on optimizing PHB production. She also serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious journals including Enzyme and Microbial Technology, Journal of Applied Microbiology, and Microbial Biotechnology. Her teaching portfolio includes coordination of multiple modules such as Bioprocessing, Metabolism and Disease, and SynBio for Bioeconomy, demonstrating her commitment to educating the next generation of scientists in both fundamental and applied aspects of biomolecular science.

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Synthetic and systems biology
• +8 more

Elaine O'Reilly is an Associate Professor and Vice-Principal for Research & Innovation at the School of Chemistry, University College Dublin . She holds a PhD in organic chemistry from UCD (2010) and has held academic positions at the University of Manchester (Postdoctoral 2010-2014), Manchester Metropolitan University (Lecturer 2014-2015), and University of Nottingham (Assistant Professor 2015-2019, promoted to Associate Professor 2018). Expertise in biocatalyst development and application Specialization in transaminase and cytochrome P450 engineering Focus on sustainable pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis Research Interests center on creating biocatalytic cascades for synthesizing complex molecules like chiral amines and iminosugars. She pioneered transaminase-triggered aza-Michael reactions for alkaloid synthesis and developed smart amine donors to overcome equilibrium limitations in biotransformations. Scientific Awards include the RSC Harrison-Meldola Prize (2017) Grants from EPSRC, BBSRC, and SFI support her work on continuous transaminase processes, heterogeneous biocatalysts, and sustainable chemistry collaborations with the University of Nottingham. Teaching Activities include coordinating the Aspects of MedChem and ChemBio module since 2019 and supervising PhD/BSc theses on biocatalysis and chemical biology.

• Biocatalysis
• Organic Chemistry
• Enzyme Engineering
• +3 more

Dr. Archishman Bose is an Eli Lilly Lecturer in Process and Chemical Engineering at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. He serves as a Principal Investigator (PI) in the Circular Economy, Energy, and Environmental Systems (CEEES) Research Group, part of MaREI, the SFI research centre for energy, climate, and marine. He is currently leading three nationally funded research projects on microalgal biogas upgrading, biochar applications, and sustainable processing of end-of-life tyres, with total grants exceeding €1 million. As a programme director, he oversees the Part-Time MEngSc Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering and the Full-Time MEngSc Engineering in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Systems. Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Jadavpur University, 2014 Double Masters in Sustainable Energy Engineering (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2018) and Energy and Nuclear Engineering (Politecnico di Torino, 2018) PhD in Energy Engineering (University College Cork, 2022) focused on Photosynthetic Biogas Upgrading, co-funded by SFI and Gas Networks Ireland Research interests span biochemical engineering, biopharmaceuticals, carbon capture and utilization, circular bioeconomy systems, and techno-economic analysis. His work emphasizes decarbonization of industrial processes, microalgae biorefineries, and sustainable waste-to-resource systems. Recent publications highlight advancements in anaerobic digestion, photobioreactor design, and metabolic pathway engineering for environmental applications. His funded projects include CABBBIE (SEAI/DAFM, €616k), EMERGE (SFI, €206k), and EPA-funded tyre processing research. Advising and grants: He has supervised 26 MSc students and co-supervised 5 PhD candidates (including one primary role) since joining UCC. Additional supervisions are planned from July 2025. Teaching includes modules on process design, pharmaceutical validation, and separation technologies, with current roles as year tutor and module coordinator. Labs/teams: Leading research in CEEES at MaREI, collaborating with Prof. Jerry D. Murphy, Dr. David Wall, and others in interdisciplinary circular economy and energy systems.

• Biochemical Engineering
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Process Design and Simulation
• +9 more

Professor Andrew Coogan is a behavioral neuroscientist specializing in circadian rhythms, chronobiology, and sleep. He is a Professor at Maynooth University's Department of Psychology, part of the Faculty of Science & Engineering, and directs the Chronobiology and Sleep Research Laboratory. His research focuses on circadian clock function in human environments, with a strong emphasis on their impact on health conditions like ADHD, diabetes, and mental health. He holds a Bachelors from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from University College Dublin, after which he worked in the UK before joining Maynooth in 2008, serving as Department Head from 2015–2021. Education: BSc (Trinity College Dublin), PhD (University College Dublin). Research Interests: His work spans circadian rhythms in disease contexts (e.g., ADHD, diabetes, Parkinson’s), sleep disorders, and societal impacts of light pollution. He investigates how circadian disruptions influence health outcomes, using interdisciplinary approaches combining neuroscience, chronobiology, and clinical studies. Recent studies focus on pandemic-related sleep changes, chronotherapeutics, and sleep timing in metabolic disorders. Publications & Grants: Over 120 peer-reviewed papers (H-index 44), funded by grants from Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board, and others. His articles analyze topics like vaccine timing, social jetlag in diabetes, and ADHD chronobiology. Collaborations span Europe, addressing global health challenges through circadian lens. Awards & Recognition: While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publications and leadership roles reflect significant scholarly impact. Advising & Teams: Supervised 11 PhD, 5 MSc, and 2 MD students. Leads the Chronobiology and Sleep Research Lab, collaborating widely on clinical and basic research projects. Future Work: Ongoing studies include circadian data collection in bipolar disorder (AMBIENT-BD) and societal-level sleep patterns post-pandemic. He advocates for evidence-based chronotherapeutic strategies in clinical settings.

• Circadian Rhythms
• Chronobiology
• Sleep Disorders
• +4 more

Kevin O'Connor is a Full Professor in the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science at University College Dublin (UCD), where he has held academic positions since 1999, progressing from Assistant College Lecturer to his current role as Full Professor since 2018. He serves as Director of the BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, leading Ireland's national research efforts in bioeconomy development. His academic career spans over 25 years with continuous advancement through UCD's academic ranks. Professor O'Connor's research focuses on two primary areas: biodegradable polymer synthesis by bacteria and enzymes as biocatalysts. His work in biodegradable polymers centers on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), investigating bacterial production methods using waste and bio-based resources. His enzyme research explores biocatalysis under mild conditions with high specificity, using protein engineering to enhance enzyme activity for producing pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. His laboratory investigates waste valorization, upcycling plastic monomers, CO 2 conversion to biopolymers, and hydroxytyrosol applications in food and animal nutrition. His publication record reveals a strong trend toward solving plastic pollution through biotechnological approaches, with significant work on converting plastic waste to valuable biopolymers. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in bioprocess engineering for fungal cultivation, metabolic engineering of bacterial strains for PHA production, and developing sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics. His research bridges fundamental microbiology with practical industrial applications in the circular bioeconomy. NovaUCD innovation award (2016) Professor O'Connor has secured significant research funding including the Horizon Europe 'PROMOFER' project (2024-2028) focusing on PHB production optimization and the SFI 'BEACON' partnership (2019-2027) as part of the BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre. He has coordinated the 'Applied Enzymology and Protein' module for over seven years and serves as PhD thesis supervisor. His leadership extends to chairing the Scientific Committee of the Biobased Industries Joint Undertaking and serving on the EC Expert Group for bio-based products. As Director of BiOrbic, Professor O'Connor leads a major national research center focused on developing Ireland's bioeconomy, with particular emphasis on creating rural economic opportunities through bio-based innovations. His work includes establishing the Lisheen bioeconomy innovation and pilot facility campus, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into practical applications that support primary producers in innovating and diversifying through science and technology.

• Biocatalysis
• Metabolic Engineering
• Biodegradable Polymers
• +7 more

Professor Enda Cummins is a faculty member at University College Dublin (UCD), serving as Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering. He also holds roles as Head of Teaching and Learning and Visiting Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium. His research focuses on risk assessment, predictive modeling, food safety, and environmental contamination, with an emphasis on chemicals (e.g., acrylamide, nanoparticles) and pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella). He leads a multidisciplinary team and coordinates the EU-funded H2020 ITN project PROTECT, addressing climate change impacts on food safety. Education: BAgrSc, MEngSc, PhD from UCD. Teaching emphasizes problem-based learning and integrates research innovations. He developed the EU-funded Erasmus+ Predictive Modelling and Risk Assessment program and coordinates the MEngSc in Food Engineering. Grants include projects on antimicrobial resistance, nanoparticle toxicity, and urease inhibitor efficacy. Over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 123 conference papers highlight his work on risk assessment, food safety, and environmental modeling.

• Risk assessment modeling
• Food safety
• Predictive modeling
• +7 more

Dr Luke Johnson is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Microbiology at University College Dublin’s School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science (SBBS) and a Conway Institute Fellow. He leads an interdisciplinary research group that couples enzyme engineering with chemoenzymatic synthesis to create terpene natural products and semiochemicals for sustainable agriculture and human-health applications. Education: BSc – University of Sheffield PhD – University of Sheffield (Structural enzymology of phosphoryl-transfer enzymes) Research Interests: Johnson’s programme centres on four inter-linked themes: (i) discovery and biosynthetic logic of terpene natural products, (ii) engineering terpene synthases and accessory enzymes for altered product profiles, (iii) developing modular chemoenzymatic cascades that convert inexpensive prenol precursors into complex terpenoids, and (iv) leveraging these technologies to produce insect pheromones and semiochemicals that replace broad-spectrum insecticides within Integrated Pest Management strategies. Recent work focuses on scaling microbial fermentation of Solanum habrochaites -derived terpene semiochemicals to control hemipteran pests, an effort supported by BBSRC IAA and NetZero Innovation Institute funding. Scientific Awards & Grants: Entrepreneur Lead, BBSRC ICURe Explore – CounTERPart Semiochemicals (2023) BBSRC Innovation-to-Commercialisation grant – “Advancing high-value terpenoidal semiochemicals for crop protection” (2023-2024) NetZero Innovation Institute Seedcorn – “In-situ biocatalytic production of terpene semiochemicals” (2022) Research Team & Infrastructure: Johnson’s laboratory is embedded within SBBS and the Conway Institute at UCD, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities in structural biology, high-resolution NMR, and microbial fermentation. While no doctoral students are currently listed, active collaborations span Cardiff University, industrial partners in agri-tech, and translational programmes funded by BBSRC and Innovate UK.

• Terpene natural products
• Semiochemicals and pheromones
• Enzyme engineering
• +3 more

Patrick Kiely is Professor of Medicine at the University of Limerick's School of Medicine and Principal Investigator at the Health Research Institute and Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre. His research focuses on cancer biology with emphasis on cellular migration mechanisms in tumor progression. Kiely investigates molecular pathways involving integrin signaling, scaffold proteins, and phosphorylation cascades that regulate cancer metastasis. Recent work examines collagen-mediated regulation of Annexin A2 in breast cancer and metabolic vulnerabilities in NSCLC. His research employs multi-omics approaches to identify therapeutic targets and diagnostic strategies across various cancers.

• Cancer Biology
• Cell Migration
• Integrin Signaling
• +2 more

Catherine Stanton is a Research Professor at University College Cork (UCC) and a Principal Investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland, with a joint appointment as Adjunct Professor in the College of Medicine and Health, Department of Psychiatry. She is also a Principal Research Officer at Teagasc Moorepark, reflecting her dual academic and research leadership roles in food, nutrition, and microbiome science. Her educational background includes a BSc (2.1H) and MSc in Nutrition/Food Chemistry from UCC, a PhD in Biochemistry from Bournemouth University, UK, and a DSc from the National University of Ireland. Her research focuses on the nutritional and health impacts of functional foods, particularly probiotics and bioactive metabolites. Key areas include: Nutritional aspects of dairy and functional foods Probiotic cultures and their health benefits Infant gut microbiota and dietary influences Bioactive lipids (e.g., CLAs, SCFAs, n-3 FAs) Bioactive peptides and microbial metabolite production Her recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on gut-brain axis interactions, microbial production of neuroactive compounds like GABA, and the metabolic effects of gut bacteria on host lipid profiles. This work bridges food science, microbiology, and human health, particularly in early-life nutrition and chronic disease prevention. She has received significant recognition through awards such as: ELIE METCHKOFF 2010 Award (jointly with Paul Ross, Colin Hill, Gerald Fitzgerald) APC Scientist of the Year 2011 UCC Research COMMERCIALISATION Award (2012) Catherine has secured substantial research funding from SFI, EU FP7, DAFF, DAFM, and EI, leading projects like COMBINE, FIBEBIOTICS, CFMATTERS, and TODDLERFOOD. She actively mentors researchers and contributes to major international expert groups including FAO/WHO, IDF, and Agropolis Foundation. Her work is integral to the APC Microbiome Ireland and Food Health Ireland research centres, where she leads research on microbial metabolites and functional food development. She is affiliated with key research platforms including: APC Microbiome Ireland – Microbial Metabolites Core Food Health Ireland Teagasc Moorepark

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Functional Foods
• Probiotics
• +9 more

Assistant Professor Federico Cerrone is affiliated with the School of Biotechnology at Dublin City University (DCU). He is a Principal Investigator at the Life Science Institute (LSI) and the SFI-Bioeconomy Research Centre (BiOrbic), leading interdisciplinary research in bioprocess engineering and sustainable biotechnology. Education: MSc in Marine Biology (Environmental Microbiology) from Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy (2005) PhD from the University of Granada, Spain (2011), focused on anaerobic digestion of organic residues for microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates at the Institute of Water Research Research Interests: Federico’s research integrates bioprocess engineering, synthetic biology, and environmental biotechnology. His work emphasizes three areas: (1) microbial manufacturing of novel bio-based materials, including composites for renewable batteries/supercapacitors; (2) production of metabolites with therapeutic potential for bacterial cancer therapy; and (3) bioremediation leveraging microbial adaptations. He prioritizes sustainable circularity in production processes, collaborating with experts in cancer metabolism, enzymology, organic photochemistry, electrochemistry, and bioprocessing modeling. Grants and Projects: Secured and led two SFI-funded TIDA (Technology Innovation Development Awards) projects on bio-scaffolds for neural cells and specialty biosurfactants Co-PI in the EPA project "RefineTEXT" for textile waste valorization Professional Collaborations: Collaborated with the Technology Centre for Biorefining and Bioenergy (TCBB) and Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC). His interdisciplinary approach spans life sciences, engineering, and social sciences, with a focus on life-cycle assessment and sustainable innovation.

• Bioprocess Engineering
• Microbial Biotechnology
• Sustainable Biotechnology
• +7 more

Dr. Rebecca Owens is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Maynooth University, affiliated with the Human Health Institute. She holds a BSc (Biotechnology) from Maynooth University (2008) and a PhD (2013), supported by an IRCSET Scholarship. Her postdoctoral research focused on fungal pathogen proteomics, particularly iron-limiting conditions and mass spectrometry methodologies. In 2017, she established the Chemical Microbiology laboratory, specializing in proteomic analyses of microbial species and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Her work bridges academia and industry, expanding into food technology and microbiology. Dr. Owens currently supervises 4 PhD students funded by DAFM and Teagasc. Her research interests include: proteomic responses to antifungals, fungal pathogen virulence, and mass spectrometry-based methods for analyzing microbial metabolites. She has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, including seminal work on fungal proteomics and gliotoxin biology. Dr. Owens serves on professional committees, including Treasurer of the Irish Fungal Society and Member of the Microbiology Society’s Irish Division. Her lab’s recent work explores zinc chelation by gliotoxin, HMO-primed bifidobacteria, and bovine colostrum proteomics.

• Proteomics
• Microbial Pathogenesis
• Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms
• +3 more

Prof Annie Curtis is an Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). She leads the Curtis Clock Lab, focusing on circadian rhythms' impact on immunity and inflammation. Her research bridges chronobiology with immunology, investigating how molecular clocks regulate innate immune function, particularly in macrophages and dendritic cells. Education: B.A. in Genetics, Trinity College Dublin (1998) PhD in Cardiovascular Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania (2005) Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, RCSI (2018) Research Interests: Circadian control of immunity, inflammation, and metabolism. Key areas include: Chronopharmacology for inflammatory disease treatment timing Clock regulation of macrophage and dendritic cell function Interplay between circadian rhythms and metabolic reprogramming in immunity Grants & Funding: EU Horizon 2020/2023: METABOLATE project SFI Career Development Award (2017) SFI Frontiers Award (2021) ChronoVac: Circadian clock-enhanced vaccine efficacy (2021-2025) Awards: L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Fellowship (2017) Roche Medal - Trinity Biomedical Science Institute (2012) ATVB Junior Investigator Award (2006) Lab & Collaborations: Principal Investigator in RCSI's Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), and funded investigator in AMBER and FutureNeuro2 centres. Active in science communication through media appearances.

• Immunology
• Chronobiology
• Inflammation
• +4 more

Dr. Damien Brady is a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Sciences at South East Technological University (enviroCORE). He holds a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Ulster (1997) and has extensive postdoctoral experience, including work with Trinity College Dublin and a biotechnology startup. His research focuses on microbial pathogens in medical and veterinary contexts, with applied emphasis on antimicrobial agents and biomedical materials. Key areas include Cronobacter sakazakii, biofilm inhibition, and hydrogel-based therapies for wound healing and tissue regeneration. Brady has authored over 45 publications and 50 conference presentations. His work spans biotechnology applications, such as ethanol production using thermotolerant yeasts and antimicrobial composites for medical devices. He has supervised 11 PhD and 4 MSc students, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of researchers. Research trends in his articles highlight advancements in CAR-T cell therapy, biopharmaceutical production in E. coli systems, and the development of novel materials for medical applications. Brady also contributes to editorial roles, including the Editorial Board of Biotechnology Letters . His lab explores interdisciplinary challenges, such as biofilm control in food safety, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and innovative solutions for chronic conditions like anal fistulae. Collaborations extend to material science, dentistry, and surgical innovations, underscoring the applied nature of his work.

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Antimicrobial Agents
• +4 more

Niall O'Leary is a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator in the School of Microbiology at University College Cork (UCC), with affiliations to the Environmental Research Institute and the SUSFERM biotechnology centre. His research focuses on microbial community ecology for wastewater treatment and circular economy solutions in the agri-food sector, alongside innovations in technology-enhanced education. He holds an MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2014) and has secured significant grants, including SFI funding for wastewater-based epidemiology and EPA support for dairy wastewater valorization. Education: BSc (Hons) Microbiology (1996), PhD Microbiology (2001) from UCC, followed by postdoctoral research. Advanced teaching qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma (2009) and MA in Teaching and Learning (2014). Research Interests: Microbial bioreactor systems, dairy/meat wastewater treatment, bioconversion to biodegradable plastics, and Lemna cultivation. Recent work includes SARS-CoV-2 wastewater epidemiology and precision fermentation via SUSFERM. Teaching innovations include VR simulations for molecular biology and 360° virtual industrial site visits. Notable Grants: SFI Rapid Response (€44,876), UniCov Study (€188,770), NEWTRIENTS (€650,000), and DAFF-funded projects on duckweed protein and dairy wastewater. Awards: DELTA National Award (2021), UCC President’s Teaching Excellence (2015). Active in outreach, including public workshops on plastic pollution and collaborations with secondary schools via VR biology tools.

• Environmental Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Wastewater Treatment
• +5 more