Find Academic Supervisors

Associate Professor Tadhg Ó'Cróinín is a microbiologist based at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science , University College Dublin (UCD) . Since 2008 he has held academic appointments rising to Associate Professor in June 2023. He served as Head of Microbiology (2016-2022) and Associate Dean for Study Abroad (2011-2016) and currently chairs the UCD Student Finance Committee . Education BA (Moderatorship) in Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin (1995) PhD in Paediatrics, University College Dublin (1999) Professional Diploma in University Teaching & Learning, University College Dublin Research Interests Dr Ó’Cróinín’s group investigates the molecular basis of bacterial virulence, focusing on gastrointestinal pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni , Salmonella enterica and Helicobacter pylori , as well as biofilm-forming pathogens on medical devices including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . A unifying theme is the role of DNA supercoiling as a global regulator of virulence gene expression, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. The laboratory employs in vitro cell-culture models, 3-D intestinal spheroids, in vivo infection models, high-content imaging and genome-scale analyses to dissect these processes. Publication Themes Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal three major strands of work: (i) elucidating how DNA-relaxation in C. jejuni triggers an invasive phenotype and tight-junction disruption; (ii) developing antifouling and antimicrobial bioresorbable coatings for orthopaedic titanium implants to combat MRSA and P. aeruginosa biofilms; and (iii) genomic and phenotypic characterisation of novel yeast species from Irish soils. Earlier seminal studies established the role of DNA supercoiling and nucleoid-associated proteins (Fis, HU, Lrp) in regulating motility, invasion and intracellular survival across Salmonella , E. coli and Bordetella . Honours & Awards College of Science Teaching Award (2018) College of Science Teaching Award (2024) Chair, Professional Development Committee, Microbiology Society (2018-2021) Council Member, Microbiology Society (2018-2021) Grants & Supervision Since 2008 Dr Ó’Cróinín has been PI or Co-PI on >12 competitively funded grants from Science Foundation Ireland, EMBO, NIH, and industry partners, totalling in excess of €1.5 M. He has successfully supervised 7 PhD and 3 Master’s research students , mentoring them through projects spanning bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance and biofilm biology. Laboratory & Collaborations Research is conducted within the Microbiology Research Laboratory at UCD’s Health Sciences Centre. The group maintains active collaborations with clinical (Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital), materials-science (AMBER, CRANN) and international partners (NIH Bethesda, VU Amsterdam) to translate insights into infection control and biomaterial innovation.

• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Gastrointestinal microbiology
• DNA supercoiling and gene regulation
• +7 more

Associate Professor Yan Yan is a leading researcher at University College Dublin's School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, where she currently holds the position of Associate Professor (since July 2024) after serving as Assistant Professor from 2018-2024. Her research program focuses on understanding nanoscale interactions with the immune system to develop novel immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Peking University, China Postdoctoral training at the University of Melbourne Science Foundation Ireland SIRG Fellow Marie Curie Fellow Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow Professor Yan's research interests center on nanoscale shape biology and its applications in immunotherapy development. She has pioneered work on how nanoparticle architecture influences immune responses, particularly through the study of nanostructure shape effects on T cell receptor repertoires and histone modifications. Her interdisciplinary approach combines nanotechnology, immunology, and biointerface science to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Her laboratory investigates protein corona formation, nanoparticle translocation across biological barriers, and the development of shape-dependent immunomodulatory therapies. Analysis of Professor Yan's publication record reveals a strong focus on systematic investigation of nanoscale shape effects on biological systems. Her work has evolved from fundamental studies of protein corona formation to more recent applications in immunotherapy development, with increasing emphasis on translation to clinical applications. Her research demonstrates consistent innovation in methodology, particularly in developing frameworks for systematic nanoscale shape discovery and evaluation. 1st Prize Interstellar Initiate at New York Academy of Sciences (2017) Starting Investigator Research Grant from SFI (2016) Australian Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research (2013) Discovery Early Career Research Award from ARC (2013) Reviewer Excellence Award (top 1% reviewers, 2017) Professor Yan has successfully secured numerous research grants including HEA Covid-19 funding, the NANOSCAPE project, EXOTRAIN, and multiple UCD Equip Scheme awards. She supervises PhD students and coordinates modules including Biochemist's Toolkit, Bioprocessing, and Enzyme Technology & Protein Engineering. Her laboratory is part of the Conway Institute at University College Dublin, where she leads an interdisciplinary team working at the interface between nanostructures and the immune system. Her research group maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines, focusing on translating nanoscale discoveries into therapeutic applications for cancer and infectious diseases.

• Nanomedicine
• Immunotherapy
• Nanoparticle-Immune System Interactions
• +5 more

Professor Brian Rodriguez is a full-time faculty member in the School of Physics at University College Dublin, based at the Conway Institute in Belfield, Dublin 4. His research bridges nanoscale materials physics and biomedical applications, with expertise in scanning probe microscopy techniques. He maintains an active teaching schedule across multiple modules and can be contacted via brian.rodriguez@ucd.ie or phone at 01 716 6744. His academic credentials include: BS from University of North Carolina MS from North Carolina State University, USA PhD in Physics from North Carolina State University, USA (2003) Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning from University College Dublin Rodriguez specializes in piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for characterizing ferroelectric materials, polar nitride semiconductors, and biological systems. His work has expanded into bio-inspired nanomaterials development, including sustainable peptide semiconductors for sensing, amorphous alloys for antibacterial implants, and electrocatalysts for green hydrogen. He actively integrates machine learning with AFM data to advance cancer diagnostics, emphasizing translational applications in biomedicine and energy. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate interdisciplinary momentum toward sustainable nanomaterials for energy conversion and biomedical sensing. Key trends include seawater electrolysis catalysts using MBenes/borides, metal-free SERS platforms with peptide semiconductors, and electric-field-activated pathogen detection. His group pioneers techniques like fluid-phase 3D printing for hydrogel patterning and high-voltage KPFM adaptations, with consistent focus on fundamental electromechanical property characterization. Award highlights include: UCD College of Science Women in Science Mentoring Award (2024) Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2007) RMIT Foundation International Research Exchange Fellowship (2010) Two UT Battelle Team Awards (2006) Rodriguez coordinates core modules including Bio-inspired Technologies (2016-2025), AFM for Bionano (2016-2025), and Nanomechanics (2017-2025), using active-learning pedagogies. His research is funded through Science Foundation Ireland's GROW Supplement (2017), the OBRSS Research Support Scheme (2016-2023), and the Resolve-NP project grant (2023-2025) targeting lipid nanomedicine characterization at single-particle resolution. He leads the NanoFunction research group (nanofunction.org) within UCD's Conway Institute, focusing on nanoscale functional materials. Current projects involve peptide-based sensors, antimicrobial coatings, and electrocatalyst engineering, supported by collaborations with Zhang, Bao, and Brennan on the Resolve-NP grant. Rodriguez also contributes to SIMUFER (Single- and Multiphase Ferroics with Restricted Geometries) and maintains active professional society memberships.

• Scanning Probe Microscopy
• Piezoresponse Force Microscopy
• Ferroelectric Materials
• +7 more

Emma Whelan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Experimental Physics at Maynooth University's Faculty of Science & Engineering. She holds a PhD in observational astronomy from Trinity College Dublin (2005) and has held research positions at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, and the Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik Tübingen. BA in Physics with Astrophysics, Trinity College Dublin (2001) PhD in Observational Astronomy, Trinity College Dublin (2005) Whelan's research focuses on stellar outflow mechanisms , particularly in young stars and brown dwarfs . Key contributions include establishing accretion-ejection connections in sub-stellar objects and utilizing spectro-astrometry for jet kinematic studies. Current work involves JWST/MIRI observations of protoplanetary disks and binary star outflow dynamics . Recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize magnetohydrodynamic winds , disk-jet coupling , and accretion diagnostics in transitional systems. Collaborative studies span VLT-CRIRES+ , KECK/HIRES , and MUSE NFM instrumentation. Scientific awards include: Marie Curie Research Training Network JETSET (2005-2009) Marie Curie Fellowship (2009) She employs optical and near-infrared spectroscopy for outflow analysis, with affiliations to the Hamilton Institute and Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies . Her work bridges low-mass star formation and high-mass planetary system evolution .

• Observational Astronomy
• Star Formation
• Brown Dwarfs
• +5 more

Robert Gaffney is a Senior Lecturer at the Medical School of University College Cork (UCC) , with a focus on medical education and patient safety. He has held roles including Director of Clinical Skills and Senior Medical Demonstrator since 2005. Education: MB BCH BAO in Medicine (1998) from University College Cork His research spans interdisciplinary medical education, simulation-based training, and clinical safety protocols. Key areas include communication skills assessment, emergency medicine simulations, and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare education. Earlier work explored oncology (synovial sarcoma genetics), neurology (ALS dysphagia), and radiology (cochlear implant imaging). Publications highlight trends in medical education (2010s), patient safety frameworks (2011-2012), and foundational research in oncology (2002-2006) and gastrointestinal diagnostics (1999-2004). Scientific Awards: Teaching Awards (2008, 2002) from UCC; Ethicon Travelling Scholarship (1998) At UCC, he contributed to curriculum development and interdisciplinary teaching initiatives, emphasizing simulation technology for student training. His career also involved clinical roles at Cork University Hospital (1999-2001) and research in cardiology and genetics earlier in his career.

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Emergency Medicine
• +6 more

Dr. Hannah Wilson is a StAR Research Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland's School of Nursing and Midwifery, where she leads the Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Team. She joined RCSI in October 2023 following her PhD completion at the same institution. Her clinical background in cardiology nursing informs her research on tissue viability and patient-centered care. Education: PhD, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2020-2023) MSc Nursing, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2017-2018) Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, RCSI (2016-2017) BSc Adult Nursing, Queen's University Belfast (2012-2015) Her research focuses on three interconnected domains : 1) Advanced technologies for early pressure ulcer detection (including AI and subepidermal moisture scanning), 2) Physiological differences in skin injury response across diverse populations, and 3) Patient involvement frameworks for equitable wound prevention. This work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through its focus on reducing healthcare disparities. Dr. Wilson's recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on systematic reviews and clinical validation studies. Her 2024-2025 articles predominantly explore technological innovations in wound assessment, while her 2025 works focus on implementation science and diversity in healthcare research. Recurring themes include guideline implementation, skin physiology, and patient engagement methodologies. Active Grants: Evaluation of Standards for Advanced Nursing Education (NMBI, 2025-2026) Voices that Matter: Patient Partnerships in Nursing Research (RCSI PPI Ignite Network, 2024-2025) The Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Team develops evidence-based protocols for wound prevention and partners with clinical institutions to translate research into practice. Current projects examine subepidermal moisture correlations with ultrasound biomarkers and machine learning applications for diabetic foot ulcer prediction.

• Wound Care
• Pressure Ulcer Detection
• Tissue Viability
• +3 more