Find Academic Supervisors

Caitriona M. O'Driscoll is Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutics at University College Cork's School of Pharmacy, Ireland. With over four decades of academic experience, she previously served as Head of the School of Pharmacy at UCC from 2003-2009 and 2010-2013. Her established drug delivery research team spans from pre-formulation through to production and manufacture of prototype delivery systems suitable for clinical trial, with strong industry links underpinning many research projects. Her research interests focus on translational drug delivery with emphasis on 'problem' drugs including poorly water soluble compounds and biopharmaceuticals like peptide/protein drugs, plasma DNA and siRNA. She develops nano-sized delivery constructs that are robust enough to survive processing, stable on storage, and achieve cell/site specific delivery in vivo. Greater than 40% of new chemical entities are poorly water soluble Biopharmaceuticals now approach 50% of all new drugs in development Major barrier is design of efficient delivery systems Special focus on oral drug delivery despite challenges Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on targeted nanodelivery systems for cancer therapy, particularly prostate and colorectal cancer, as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's. Her work demonstrates expertise in cyclodextrin-based nanoparticles, siRNA delivery, and disease-specific formulations that account for conditions like Crohn's disease that affect drug delivery. Scientific awards include: 'Person of the Year award' by Parenteral Drug Association (Ireland Chapter) in 2013 'Award for Professional Excellence' by Helix Health in 2007/2008 'Award for Pharmacist of the Year' by Helix Health in 2007/2008 With €10.5M in career research income and 25 PhDs graduated, Professor O'Driscoll's work has attracted funding from diverse sources including Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and industry partners. Her research group maintains strong links with Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Process & Chemical Engineering at UCC, creating a unique strength for drug development research from design through to clinical trial. She has served as external examiner for multiple universities and as PhD thesis examiner at institutions worldwide. Her research team operates within UCC's drug delivery group, which has established expertise spanning from pre-formulation through to production and manufacture of prototype delivery systems. The group maintains strong industry connections and offers various PhD positions, focusing particularly on translational research with product-driven applications.

• Drug Delivery
• Pharmaceutics
• Nanomedicine
• +5 more

Dr. Chanel Watson is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where she also serves as Deputy Director of Academic Affairs and coordinates Erasmus activities. She holds a Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education from Maynooth University (2020) and has additional postgraduate qualifications in Healthcare Ethics and Health Professions Education. Her research focuses on nursing education and prescribing practices, employing qualitative methodologies. She currently co-supervises 3 PhD students and is the primary supervisor for an additional 3. Dr. Watson has held roles in research ethics committees, including appointment to the National Research Ethics Committee for clinical trials in 2024, and has led national initiatives in nurse prescribing education frameworks. She has secured grants totaling over €1.6M for projects including nurse prescribing programs, gerontology education, and clinical trial coordination. Dr. Watson is an external examiner at multiple universities and actively reviews submissions for journals like Nursing Ethics and Journal of Nursing Education and Practice . Her professional engagements include leadership in national healthcare education reforms and international conference speaking engagements. Education: MSc in Healthcare Ethics and Law, RCSI (2004–2006) Post Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, RCSI (2014–2015) Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education, Maynooth University (2016–2020) Research Interests: Dr. Watson’s work emphasizes advancing nurse and midwife prescribing education, healthcare ethics, and clinical trial coordination. She has pioneered programs such as Ireland’s first Professional Certificate in Musculoskeletal Casting and Splinting. Her qualitative research explores nurse-patient interactions in acute care settings and the impact of burnout on pediatric nursing outcomes. She advocates for evidence-based practices in pain management and patient safety. Grants & Awards: €968,830 National Tender for PGDip Gerontology (2024) €450,000 Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner Education (2025) €225,180 Residential Care Education (2024) Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Committees & Leadership: National Lead for Nurse/Midwife Prescribing Competency Framework (HSE/NMBI) Member of National Research Ethics Committee CT-D External Examiner for University of South Wales and University College Cork

• Nursing & Midwifery Education
• Healthcare Ethics
• Nurse Prescribing
• +3 more

Claire O'Donnell is an Associate Professor at the University of Limerick's School of Nursing & Midwifery. She holds key administrative roles including Course Director for the BSc Nursing (General) programme and Department International Coordinator, overseeing international collaborations with institutions in Ghana and the USA. Her research focuses on nursing workforce constraints, missed care, stroke care, and interprofessional practice, informed by grounded theory methodologies. She has contributed to global health initiatives addressing perinatal mental health access for refugee women and cultural competence in healthcare education. Educationally, O'Donnell holds a PhD (2016) and MSc (2006) from University College Cork. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education and health equity. She has received the PhD Medicine and Health award in 2016. Research interests span workforce planning, clinical supervision, and intercultural nursing education. She has led collaborative projects on peer group clinical supervision and breastfeeding education outcomes. Her recent work highlights pandemic impacts on mental health and nurse resilience strategies. Academic supervision includes over 40 publications and collaborative international grant activities. Key Collaborations: University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Minnesota (USA) Labs/Teams: Supportive and Palliative Care Research Cluster Grants: Funding for transnational educational programs and perinatal mental health initiatives

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Missed Nursing Care
• +7 more

Professor Bill Watson is a Full Professor of Cancer Biology at the University College Dublin, School of Medicine , where he serves as Head of Pathology and Director of the Biomedical Health and Life Science BSc program. With a PhD in Biochemistry (University College Cork, 1995) and post-doctoral training at the University of Toronto, he has led translational research in prostate cancer since returning to UCD in 1997. His work focuses on biomarker discovery, therapy resistance mechanisms, and clinical decision tools through the Prostate Cancer Research Consortium and iPROSPECT collaborations. Education: BSc (University College Dublin), PhD (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Toronto General Hospital) His research integrates genomic, epigenetic, and proteomic biomarkers to improve prostate cancer stratification and treatment selection, as demonstrated in the Movember Global Action Plan and ToPCaP initiatives. Recent studies include validating a six-gene MCRS signature for biopsy-based prognostics (2025) and developing beta mixture models for DNA methylation analysis (2024). Scientific Awards include the Alton Prize (2000), Presidents Awards for Teaching (2000, 1998), and Young Investigator Award (1995). He has received grants such as the UCD Equip Scheme (2021) and Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer (2009-2015) . Professional Leadership: Irish Association for Cancer Research (President 2014-2017), Cancer Trials Ireland (Chair of Translational DSSG 2014-present), and Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (Fellow since 2006)

• Prostate Cancer
• Cancer Biology
• Translational Research
• +7 more

Professor Aoife Gowen is a leading academic at the UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering , specializing in hyperspectral imaging and its applications across medicine, food safety, and engineering. Her research, supported by prestigious European Research Council (ERC) funding, investigates water molecule interactions with surfaces to improve bone graft materials and develop innovative diagnostic tools for prostate cancer. She also leads Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded projects on hyperspectral monitoring of bacterial growth for food safety. Beyond technical research, Professor Gowen has developed computational tools now integrated into commercial chemical analysis software. Her work spans interdisciplinary domains, including sustainable transport policy, critical thinking education, and promoting gender diversity in engineering. As a key figure in the Women on Walls initiative, she has enhanced visibility for women in STEM fields. Her recent publications focus on spectral technologies for food quality, microplastics characterization, and medical diagnostics, reflecting her commitment to addressing global challenges in health and sustainability. Scientific Awards: ERC Grant for water-surface interaction research Professor Gowen actively collaborates with European networks and industry partners, driving advancements in hyperspectral imaging applications. Her lab’s efforts to bridge computational science with real-world chemical analysis have positioned her as a pioneer in invisible chemistry visualization, impacting medicine, food, and environmental engineering.

• Hyperspectral Imaging
• Sustainable Transport Policy
• Critical Thinking in Education
• +4 more

Dr. Daniel Alencar Rodrigues is a Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and has held academic positions including Assistant Professor (2017–2018) and Postdoctoral Researcher (2020–2023). His research focuses on medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, and cancer therapeutics, particularly targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and the development of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Education: PhD in Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2015–2019) MSc in Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2013–2015) Bachelor in Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás (2008–2012) Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, RCSI (2023–2024) His research interests include: Design and synthesis of multi-target drugs and PROTACs for cancer therapy HDAC6 inhibition in breast and brain cancers Computational chemistry for drug design (molecular docking, virtual screening) Development of novel anticancer agents targeting metabolic vulnerabilities Dr. Rodrigues has received the Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship and has a robust publication record with over 20 peer-reviewed articles. His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining organic synthesis, computational modeling, and biological evaluation. Teaching responsibilities include lecturing in the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) and BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies programs, with a focus on musculoskeletal and haematological health modules. He emphasizes constructive alignment in teaching practices.

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Cancer Therapeutics
• +5 more

Sinead O'Keeffe is a Research Fellow at the University of Limerick in the Faculty of Science and Engineering , specifically within the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering . Her research bridges the technical domain of optical fiber sensor development with critical applications in radiation therapy and sports medicine. Primary Research Themes Medical radiation dosimetry using optical fiber sensors Brachytherapy dose monitoring systems Sports injury prevention in Gaelic football and running Mental health literacy in rural farming communities Key Technical Contributions Development of scintillation-based dosimeters Characterization of perfluorinated polymer fibers 3D printed sensor systems for clinical and rehabilitation applications Interdisciplinary Applications Prostate cancer radiotherapy dose measurement Mental health intervention programs for athletes Work-family conflict analysis in Irish farming Email: sinead.okeeffe@ul.ie

• Radiation Dosimetry
• Optical Fiber Sensors
• Brachytherapy
• +4 more

Brendan Murphy is a Full Professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences at University College Dublin since 2015, previously holding a Professor role at the same institution (2007-2015) and a Lecturer position at Trinity College Dublin (1999-2007). He is a Principal Investigator at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics and actively works in Machine Learning & Statistics. Research Focus: His work centers on Model-based clustering Mixture models Applications in sports analytics, food science, microbiome studies, and public health Bayesian statistical methods High-dimensional data analysis Article Trends: Murphy's recent publications (2024-2025) emphasize soft clustering techniques, Bayesian mixture models, and their applications across diverse domains including metabolomics, political science, and oceanography. His work addresses challenges in variable selection, robust classification, and multi-omics integration.

• Machine Learning
• Statistics
• Model-Based Clustering
• +5 more

Andrew Parnell is a Professor at the Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University, and a funded investigator in three Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) centres: Insight Centre for Data Analytics, I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Centre, and VistaMilk Centre for Precision Pasture-based Dairy. His research bridges theoretical and applied domains. Research Areas: His work focuses on statistics and machine learning for large structured datasets, applied to: Climatology (sea level rise, extremes, paleoclimate analysis) Manufacturing (anomaly detection, real-time tool wear analytics) Bioinformatics (prostate cancer identification, SNP analysis) Learning Analytics (student progress monitoring) Quantitative Ecology (diet estimation, sediment tracing) Radiocarbon Dating (chronology modeling in archaeology) Funding & Commercialisation: He has secured over €1 million in direct funding and contributes to industry-academia collaborations through roles in startups Prolego Scientific (Chief Scientific Officer) and Atturos (Scientific Advisor). Technical Contributions: He develops open-source R packages for non-specialist users, emphasizing practical statistical tools for interdisciplinary applications. Interdisciplinary Impact: His work spans environmental science, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial analytics, with publications in high-impact journals like Science and Nature Communications.

• Statistics
• Machine Learning
• Data Analytics
• +6 more

Nicolae-Viorel Buchete is an Associate Professor of Theoretical & Computational Nano-Bio Physics at University College Dublin's School of Physics within the College of Science. He currently serves as Vice Principal for Graduate Studies for the College of Science and Director of the UCD MSc in Computational Physics Programme. His academic journey includes postgraduate degrees from Boston University (USA) and institutions in the EU (Al. I. Cuza University of Iasi, Romania, and the University of Patras, Greece), with a PhD from Boston University and research fellowships at the National Institutes of Health. His educational background includes: PhD from Boston University Research Fellowships at National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD, USA) Postgraduate degrees from Boston University, Al. I. Cuza University of Iasi (Romania), and University of Patras (Greece) Buchete's research focuses on theoretical and computational approaches to understanding biomolecular systems. His work spans theoretical and computational biological physics, chemical physics, and nanoscience , with specific emphasis on statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics of biomolecular systems, systems biology, structural bioinformatics, and multiscale modeling of biomolecules and complex fluids. His group employs advanced computational techniques including Markov State Models, Milestoning, and replica exchange molecular dynamics to study protein conformational dynamics, amyloid formation, and molecular mechanisms relevant to diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. His research output reveals a progression from fundamental biophysics toward increasingly translational applications. Early work focused on protein conformational dynamics, while more recent publications demonstrate expansion into nanomedicine applications, computational toxicology of nanomaterials, and physics-based modeling frameworks for drug delivery systems. A significant portion of his research involves studying conformational transitions in proteins relevant to cancer (such as K-Ras4B and Abl kinase) and neurodegenerative diseases (particularly amyloid systems), with growing emphasis on computational approaches to nanosafety and sustainability. His scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards: Certificate of Appreciation from the American Chemical Society Publications Division (2012) Top 20 JCP Reviewer for 2010 from the American Institute of Physics NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) in 2006 and 2007 ACS Chemical Computing Group Excellence Award (2003) Multiple teaching and research awards from Boston University including the Outstanding Teaching Fellow Award (1998) and Feldman Award (2001) Buchete has mentored numerous graduate students through their MSc and PhD research, with students successfully defending theses on computational physics and biomolecular modeling topics. His teaching philosophy emphasizes "research-oriented teaching," integrating research experiences into undergraduate and taught Master's level education. He has secured research funding including the UCD OBRSS Research Support Scheme (2016-2023) and has directed multiple educational programs including the UCD International Pre-Masters Programme (2013-2022) and served as School Head of Teaching and Learning (2021-2022). His research group is affiliated with the UCD Complex & Adaptive Systems Laboratory (CASL), where they develop and apply advanced computational methods to study complex biomolecular systems. The group has organized multiple CECAM workshops on biomolecular modeling and simulations, demonstrating leadership in the computational biophysics community. They collaborate extensively across disciplines, working with experimentalists to validate computational findings and address challenging problems in biophysics and nanomedicine.

• Theoretical Physics
• Computational Physics
• Biological Physics
• +7 more

Prof. Deborah O'Connell is a Full Professor and Director of the National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology (NCPST) at Dublin City University (DCU). She holds a PhD from DCU and has held prestigious positions including Chair at the University of York (UK) and EU Marie Curie Fellowship at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research focuses on plasma-based technologies addressing global challenges in biomedical and environmental sectors, including plasma medicine, antimicrobial applications, and green chemistry solutions. Her work emphasizes atmospheric pressure plasmas, plasma activated liquids, and diagnostic techniques. She has pioneered advancements in plasma-jet design and reactive species control. Key achievements include the Quantemol database development and co-founding the International Conference on Data-Driven Plasma Science. Prof. O'Connell has received international recognition, including the EPS/IoP Crookes Prize (2018) and the IoP Hershkowitz Award (2013). She actively contributes to global plasma science through leadership roles in the International Plasma Chemistry Society and IUVSTA's Plasma Science & Techniques Division. Her interdisciplinary research integrates plasma physics, chemistry, and biology to advance therapies and sustainable technologies. Current work explores plasma applications in agriculture, cancer treatment, and environmental remediation.

• Low-Temperature Plasma Technology
• Plasma Medicine
• Environmental Plasma Applications
• +4 more

Don Faller is the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health, leading the Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Biotechnology. His research focuses on cancer pharmacology, biotechnological drug development, and educational innovations in science. He has contributed to studies on isothiocyanates' anticancer properties and student assessment methods in Irish higher education. Research Interests: Cancer Research, Pharmacology, Biotechnology, and Technology-Enhanced Learning. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and education. Publications: Recent work includes studies on liver/prostate cancer drug candidates and evaluations of technology-driven assessment methods in science education. Grants/Advising: No specific grants or advising details provided. Active in interdisciplinary research bridging biomedical and educational sciences.

• Cancer Research
• Pharmacology
• Biotechnology
• +5 more

Keefe Murphy is a Lecturer in Statistics within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Maynooth University , Faculty of Science & Engineering, and is affiliated with the Hamilton Institute . He is an active researcher in statistical machine learning, Bayesian nonparametrics, and clustering/classification of complex, high-dimensional data. Education: PhD in Statistics, University College Dublin MSc in Statistics, University College Dublin BSc in Economics & Mathematics, University of Limerick Research Interests: His work centres on developing and extending statistical methodologies for supervised and unsupervised learning , with emphasis on mixture models, latent variable models, Bayesian nonparametrics, and computational statistics . He actively contributes novel algorithms and software implementations, including the R packages IMIFA , MoEClust , and MEDseq available on CRAN. Current projects include extensions to Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) , handling missing data , modelling multivariate count data , and variable selection in model-based clustering. Publication Profile: His recent publications (2021–2025) demonstrate a clear trajectory in advancing Bayesian machine learning methods, with contributions to Gaussian process BART models , sparse factor analysis , and educational data mining . Collaborative work spans learning analytics and multi-omic prostate cancer biomarker discovery , illustrating broad interdisciplinary impact. Awards & Recognition: Distinguished Dissertation Award (The Classification Society, 2020) Service & Advising: He serves as Associate Editor for Statistical Analysis and Data Mining and on departmental committees (Course Committee, PR Committee). He has successfully supervised PhD student Mateus Maia (graduated 2024) and currently teaches modules such as Advanced R Programming , Introduction to Data Science , and Nonparametric Statistics . Labs & Collaborations: He is affiliated with the Hamilton Institute , which fosters interdisciplinary research in applied mathematics and statistics, providing a collaborative environment for advancing computational and methodological statistics.

• Statistical Machine Learning
• Bayesian Nonparametrics
• Mixture Models
• +13 more

Kulwinder Kaur is a Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Her academic journey includes a PhD from Guru Nanak Dev University (2012–2017) and postdoctoral roles at RCSI (2020–2023) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (2017–2019). She specializes in bioengineering, biomaterials, and tissue engineering, with a focus on regenerative medicine and cancer therapy. Her research addresses bone regeneration, injectable hydrogels, and 3D disease models. Research Interests: Her work spans Design of biomaterials for bone repair (e.g., chitosan/collagen hydrogels, silk fibroin composites) 3D bioengineered models for breast cancer and microbiota-gut-brain axis studies Nano-engineered hydrogels for minimally invasive treatments Gamma ray shielding materials for biomedical applications Grants & Projects: "NanoDOT: Nano-Engineered Biomaterial Delivery System with Controlled Strontium Release" (Science Foundation Ireland, 2023–2027) "Injectable Chitosan/Collagen Hydrogels for Bone Repair" (European Research Council, 2022–2023) "Hydroxyapatite Bioceramics" (Department of Science & Technology, India, 2014–2017) Labs & Collaborations: Her research integrates interdisciplinary teams focusing on biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and cancer biology. She collaborates with institutions like IIT Delhi and contributes to RCSI’s Biomaterials & Pharmaceuticals Sciences cluster.

• Bioengineering
• Biomaterials
• Bone and Joint Repair
• +4 more

Meghana Kshirsagar serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick, with dual appointments at Lero – the Irish Research Centre for Software and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre. Her interdisciplinary work bridges computer science with healthcare innovation, focusing on real-world applications of advanced computational techniques. Her research spans Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Evolutionary Computation, Blockchain, Digital Health, Large Language Models, and Digital Twins. She develops novel algorithms like grammatical evolution for hyperparameter optimization and blockchain frameworks for secure healthcare data sharing, with applications in cancer risk stratification, hip fracture pathway modeling, and financial portfolio optimization. Her work consistently addresses ethical AI implementation and sustainable computing practices. Analysis of her 52+ publications (2011-2025) reveals three dominant trends: (1) Evolutionary computation techniques for symbolic regression and digital circuit design, (2) Blockchain applications in healthcare data security and scientific collaboration, and (3) Responsible AI implementations in medical diagnostics and finance. Her recent focus emphasizes mitigating algorithmic bias in cancer diagnostics and sustainable hyperparameter optimization. As an active member of Lero and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, she collaborates with clinicians, data scientists, and industry partners to translate research into clinical tools. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through digital health innovations that improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency.

• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Evolutionary Computation
• +4 more