Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson is a Professor of Chemistry at the School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and also affiliated with CRANN, the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices. He holds a personal chair in Chemistry and has been a key figure in advancing supramolecular and photochemical research at TCD since his appointment in 1998. His research interests lie at the intersection of supramolecular chemistry, lanthanide luminescence, fluorescent sensors, and bioimaging . He is particularly known for his work on naphthalimide-based chemosensors, btp (2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine) ligands, and lanthanide-directed self-assembly systems. His group designs luminescent materials for applications in disease diagnosis, cellular imaging, and sensing of biologically relevant ions and molecules. The research spans organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, photophysics, and materials science, with strong translational potential in medicine and environmental monitoring. His recent publications (2022–2024) reveal a consistent focus on functional supramolecular materials , including AIE nanoparticles, luminescent hydrogels, helicates, and polymers. These works frequently involve time-resolved imaging, PET-based probes, and lanthanide-based sensors , published in high-impact journals such as Chem , Advanced Science , and Chemical Reviews . The articles highlight trends in multi-functional, stimuli-responsive systems for biological and environmental applications. While no specific scientific awards are listed in the text, his extensive publication record, visiting professorships (e.g., Deakin University, CNRS Bordeaux), and leadership in the field indicate significant recognition. Gunnlaugsson has advised numerous researchers, including June I. Lovitt, Tumpa Gorai, Oxana Kotova, Jason M. Delente, Chris S. Hawes, and Sankarasekaran Shanmugaraju , among others. His collaborative network is broad, often involving interdisciplinary teams in chemistry, biology, and materials science. He has secured research funding supporting these activities, though specific grants are not detailed in the provided text. He leads a vibrant research group within the Department of Chemistry at TCD, contributing to the CRANN institute’s mission in nanoscience and advanced materials. His lab focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of smart luminescent systems with applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.

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Kathleen CurranView profile

Professor

University College DublinIreland

Prof. Kathleen Curran is a Professor at University College Dublin (UCD) and director of the UCD machine learning in medical imaging and diagnostics innovative research lab ( https://www.ucd-ml-mi.com/ ). She serves as an Affiliated Principal Investigator in the Centre for Biomedical Engineering, an INSIGHT funded investigator, and a funded investigator in the Science Foundation Ireland centre for research training in machine learning (ML-Labs). Her research integrates artificial intelligence, computer vision, and clinical medicine to develop interpretable AI solutions for medical diagnostics. Key focus areas include fetal ultrasound imaging, cardiac MRI reconstruction, neuroimaging for Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, and biomarker discovery for conditions like lymphangioleiomyomatosis and placenta accreta spectrum. She pioneers techniques in diffusion models, explainable AI, and multi-modal learning to address challenges in low-data medical scenarios. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant trends in applying generative models for medical data augmentation, developing uncertainty-aware diagnostic systems, and creating interpretable clinical AI tools. Her work consistently targets high-impact clinical applications including fetal development monitoring, cardiovascular disease management, and neurological disorder detection, with strong emphasis on real-world clinical implementation. Scientific recognition includes: 2019 InterTrade Ireland FUSION Project Exemplar Award (with Axial Medical Printing Ltd.) Three Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund awards as Principal Investigator Horizon Europe consortium funding for SMASH-HCM project (Stratification, Management, and Guidance of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients using Hybrid Digital Twin Solutions) Prof. Curran leads significant research funding initiatives including Horizon Europe and multiple Enterprise Ireland awards. Her group actively collaborates with industry partners like Axial Medical Printing Ltd. and participates in national research centers such as INSIGHT and ML-Labs, driving translational AI research from bench to bedside. The UCD machine learning in medical imaging and diagnostics lab ( https://www.ucd-ml-mi.com/ ) serves as her primary research hub, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between computer scientists, clinicians, and biomedical engineers to advance clinical AI solutions.

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Gil LeeView profile

Professor

University College DublinIreland

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Joanna McgouranView profile

Associate Professor

Trinity College DublinIreland

Dr. Joanna Mcgouran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, where she leads research in translational organic chemistry and chemical biology. She holds a 1st class MChem and D.Phil. from the University of Oxford and completed postdoctoral training in both the Department of Medicine and the Chemistry Department at Oxford, working with Professors Benedikt Kessler and Tom Brown, respectively. In 2016, she joined Trinity College Dublin as the Schuler Assistant Professor in Translational Organic Chemistry, advancing to Associate Professor. 1st class MChem, University of Oxford D.Phil., University of Oxford (Supervisor: Prof. Ben Davis) Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Medicine, University of Oxford (Prof. Benedikt Kessler) Postdoctoral Researcher, Chemistry Department, University of Oxford (Prof. Tom Brown) Her research focuses on the development of activity-based probes and inhibitors targeting enzymes involved in DNA repair and ubiquitin signaling pathways. She investigates the mechanisms of nucleases like SNM1A and deubiquitinating enzymes using synthetic chemistry, biochemical assays, and proteomics. Her work aims to understand enzyme function in DNA damage response and develop novel therapeutic strategies for diseases including cancer. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in designing chemical tools for probing enzyme activity, particularly through modified nucleosides, covalent labeling, and photocatalytic methods. She frequently publishes in high-impact journals such as Nature , ACS Chemical Biology , and Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry , emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches that bridge organic synthesis and biological application. MA, University of Oxford, 2009 Scholarship, University of Oxford, 2002–2005 Dr. Mcgouran has secured significant research funding from Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and Trinity College Dublin. Her funded projects support the development of probes for DNA processing enzymes, cyclic peptide inhibitors of nucleotide excision repair, and tools for studying p53 deubiquitination. While student names are not listed in the provided text, her active research group and grant leadership imply she mentors PhD and Master’s students. She leads multiple projects on disulfide modification, oligonucleotide probes, and activity-based profiling, often collaborating across disciplines. Her laboratory is involved in creating innovative chemical tools that enable precise interrogation of enzyme activity in live cells and disease models.

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Niamh MoranView profile

Professor

Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandIreland

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Joseph ByrneView profile

Assistant Professor

University College DublinIreland

Dr Joseph Byrne is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Bioinorganic Chemistry at University College Dublin's School of Chemistry, appointed in January 2023. He also holds a Conway Fellowship at the UCD Conway Institute from August 2023 to July 2026. Previously, he was a Science Foundation Ireland Starting Investigator at University of Galway where he held positions as an Adjunct Lecturer and Honorary Research Lecturer. Dr Byrne's research focuses on the intersection of carbohydrate chemistry and coordination chemistry, specifically developing carbohydrate-functionalized metal complexes as diagnostic and therapeutic tools against bacteria and other pathogens. His work addresses antimicrobial resistance by targeting bacterial lectins with metal-based glycoconjugates that function as molecular sensors and anti-adhesives. The research is funded by Irish Research Council, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Higher Education Authority/Shared Island Fund, with support from CÚRAM Centre for Medical Device Research. His group is also part of the Innogly and GlycoNanoProbes COST Action network. His recent research has demonstrated significant findings including Ru(II) btp complexes with anti-biofilm effects, europium(III) dpa complexes with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and galactoside Tb(III) complexes that function as luminescent lectin sensors. His work spans fundamental chemistry to potential biomedical applications in pathogen detection and treatment. Science Foundation Ireland Starting Investigator Research Grant Marie Skłodowska–Curie Individual Fellowship RSC Mobility Grant Dr Byrne has supervised several graduate students including Dr. Karolina Wojtczak (PhD, thesis on metal-based glycoconjugates), Dr. Rosy Polisicchio (PhD, thesis on lanthanide-functionalized vitamin B12 probes), and Thomas Rabbitte. His research group actively participates in scientific conferences, most recently presenting multiple papers at ECC-9 in Dublin (July 2024). Beyond research, Dr. Byrne co-organized the first-ever 'Ceimic as Gaeilge' event discussing chemical research through the Irish language and participates in STEM outreach activities including hosting school students for hands-on chemistry experiences.

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