Find Academic Supervisors

Zohreh PourzolfagharView profile

Assistant Professor

• Digital Transformation
• Smart Cities
• Information Management
• +3 more

Zohreh Pourzolfaghar is an Assistant Professor in Management Information Systems (MIS) at the School of Business, Maynooth University (MU). She serves as Director of the IT-Enable Innovation Programme and cluster lead for the Digital Construction cluster at the Innovation Value Institute (IVI). She is also a member of Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software. Education: PhD in Project Management (University Putra Malaysia, 2011); MSc in Management Systems and Productivity; BSc in Software Engineering. Research Interests : Focuses on digital transformation for SMEs, information management in construction, and smart city architectures. Leads EU-funded projects like EnTrust (agri-data governance), DIGI+ (sustainable digital transformation), and DigiFABs (food & beverage SMEs). Co-PI for projects such as GDI-IE (genomic data infrastructure) and PERFORM (digital retail innovation). Grants & Awards : Secured funding from SFI, Enterprise Ireland, and EU. Notable awards include the BIM Hero Award (2022) and Research Engaged Award (2022). Teaching : Courses include Digital Business, Digital Technology Governance, and Enterprise Architecture. Advises PhD students in MIS and digital transformation. Industry Collaboration : Works with firms like ArcDox and Corballis Technologies on BIM standards and data governance. Active in national and EU policy networks, including NSAI committees.

David LillisView profile

Associate Professor

• Natural Language Processing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Forensics
• +4 more

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).

• Artificial Intelligence
• Case-Based Reasoning
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

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.

• IoT Systems
• Data Quality
• Fog Analytics
• +7 more

John Byabazaire is a Research Fellow at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin (UCD). He holds a PhD in Computer Science from UCD (2024), following a BSc (Gulu University, 2013) and MSc (Waterford Institute of Technology, 2018). His research focuses on IoT systems for data collection, remote sensing, AI-driven end-to-end system management, and fog analytics. He has held academic roles including Assistant Lecturer at Gulu University (2018–2019) and teaching roles at UCD since 2019, including Occasional Lecturer and Senior Teaching Assistant. His research spans smart agriculture, data quality in IoT, and education technology. Notable contributions include frameworks for yield mapping in precision agriculture, trust-based data validation in IoT, and machine learning approaches for livestock health monitoring. He has secured grants like the National ICT Initiatives Support Program (Uganda Government, 2019–2020). Teaching includes courses on cloud computing, web development, and distributed systems. His articles emphasize IoT data quality, agricultural analytics, and educational technology innovation. He actively promotes technology adoption in African education and agriculture sectors through collaborative projects.

• Machine Learning
• Medical Imaging
• Health Informatics
• +3 more

Aonghus Lawlor is an Assistant Professor/Lecturer in Computer Science at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin. His roles include coordinating modules such as Software Engineering, Data Structures, Machine Learning, and Final Year Project Foundations. He holds an Orcid identifier: 0000-0002-6160-4639. His research focuses on machine learning applications in medical imaging (e.g., MRI, CT), sports science, and healthcare systems. Notable areas include AI-driven diagnostics, cybersecurity in radiology, and genomics for agricultural optimization. Recent work explores ChatGPT4-vision in MS progression, knee osteoarthritis grading via anomaly detection, and reinforcement learning in exercise prescriptions. Professional activities include committee roles in ACM Recommender Systems and Intelligent User Interfaces, grant assessments, and peer reviewing. He has published 137+ outputs, emphasizing interdisciplinary AI solutions with clinical and agricultural impact. Teaching responsibilities span foundational CS courses to advanced ML and project modules. No formal awards are listed, but his work demonstrates contributions to AI ethics, health informatics, and agricultural genomics.

Michael P. O'BrienView profile

Associate Professor

• Data Analytics
• Cognitive and Educational Psychology
• Software Comprehension Strategies
• +7 more

Michael P. O'Brien is an Associate Professor of Information Management at the Department of Management & Marketing, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Information & Knowledge Management, Business Analytics Simulation, and Technical Communication, serving as Course Director for the MA in Business Management programme. PhD in Computer Science (University of Limerick) MSc in Computer Science (by research and thesis, University of Limerick) BSc (Hons) in Information Systems His research bridges Data Analytics , Software Evolution , and Educational Psychology , focusing on empirical studies of programmers, instructional design, and gamification in education. Recent publications explore experiential learning and gamification for strategic thinking . Michael supervises Masters students in topics ranging from Cloud Computing Security to Blockchain in Finance , with a focus on Big Data and AI Impacts . His advising style emphasizes practical applications and technology-driven solutions. 2000 : AGB Dwyer Memorial Award for Excellence in Education 2017 : KBS Seed Funding Competition He actively contributes to academic networks like the Irish Learning Technology Association and Psychology of Programming Interest Group , aligning his work with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Auditory & Speech-Based Interfaces
• Accessibility Technologies
• +3 more

Ian Pitt is a Lecturer in Usability Engineering and Interactive Media at University College Cork (UCC). He leads the Interaction Design, E-Learning and Speech (IDEAS) Research Group, focusing on multimodal human-computer interaction, auditory interfaces, and accessibility solutions for visually impaired users. Pitt holds a D.Phil from the University of York, followed by research fellowships at Otto-von-Guericke University in Germany before joining UCC in 1997. His research interests include speech-based interfaces, e-learning systems, and accessibility technologies for blind users. Key projects include the EU-funded ENABLE Network (2011–2014) and prototype development for UniWink. He has secured significant grants, including €72,009 from IRCSET for voice analysis research and €19,478 from the EU for ICT-supported learning initiatives. Pitt has advised numerous PhD students, including Flaithri Neff (2011), Emma-Kate Crowley (2014), and current candidates Aine Kearns and Patrick Egan. His publications span journals like International Journal of Game-Based Learning and conferences such as ICCHP and ACM SIGACCESS. He has contributed to committees for conferences like CHI and the Irish HCI conference. Teaching modules include Usability Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, and Digital Media Development. His work emphasizes inclusive design principles, with projects addressing navigation systems for blind students and adaptive e-learning frameworks. Recent research trends focus on ICT-delivered aphasia rehabilitation, emotional BCI interfaces, and multimodal learning systems. Collaborations include international partners through EU grants, reflecting his global impact in accessibility and educational technology.

• Computational Mechanics
• Machine Learning
• Finite Volume Method
• +7 more

Philip Cardiff is a Professor in Computational Mechanics at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin. He holds a BE (2008) and PhD (2012) in Mechanical Engineering from UCD. His research focuses on computational mechanics, machine learning, and their integration, with expertise in finite volume methods, fluid-solid interaction, and biomechanics. He leads the Bekaert University Technology Centre and contributes to editorial roles in the Journal of Open Source Software and OpenFOAM Journal . Cardiff has secured grants from ERC, I-Form, and the UCD Energy Institute, addressing challenges in offshore energy, advanced manufacturing, and cardiac xenotransplantation. Education: BE in Mechanical Engineering, University College Dublin (2008) PhD in Development of the Finite Volume Method for Hip Joint Analysis, University College Dublin (2012) Professional Diploma in University Teaching & Learning, University College Dublin Research Interests: Computational mechanics, finite volume methods, and machine learning integration Fluid-solid interaction, biomechanics, and materials science Applications in additive manufacturing, energy systems, and biomedical engineering Grants & Awards: ERC Consolidator Grant (2020–2025) Funded Investigator in I-Form and UCD Energy Institute Principal Investigator in UCD Centre for Biomedical Engineering Teaching & Leadership: Programme Director for MEngSc in Materials Science and Engineering (2018–2023) Coordinates modules in computational mechanics and advanced materials processing Advocates constructivist teaching approaches with active learning strategies Labs & Collaborations: UCD Centre for Mechanics Bekaert University Technology Centre MaREI and I-Form Research Centres

George O'MahonyView profile

Lecturer

• Cybersecurity
• Cyber Resilience
• Network Security
• +8 more

Dr. George O'Mahony serves as Head of Department of Computer Science at Munster Technological University (MTU) and is a CONNECT Associate Investigator with Research Ireland. He leads Ireland's Cyber Range infrastructure development and acts as WorldSkills Ireland Expert for Cybersecurity Skill 54, driving national cybersecurity initiatives through academia-industry collaboration. Education: B.E. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Cork (UCC) Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Cork (UCC), 2021 His research pioneers cyber resilience frameworks for OT/IoT systems, zero-trust architectures, and machine learning applications in anomaly detection. He develops low-complexity security solutions for resource-constrained edge devices, with emphasis on wireless sensor networks, GPS applications, and penetration testing methodologies. His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical infrastructure implementation. Recent publications reveal accelerating focus on quantum-resistant cryptography, MQTT-ZT secure brokers, and unified cyber resilience models. His scholarly output consistently addresses interference detection in wireless networks while expanding into satellite communications security and AI-driven network customization, reflecting strategic adaptation to emerging cyber threats. Research Leadership: CONNECT: Associate Investigator advancing cyber security research NCF Cyber Shock: Co-Principal Investigator Cyber Explore: Principal Investigator at MTU Cyber Range: National infrastructure lead (mobile/cloud) Horizon Telemetry: Core research team member As STEM advocate and Cyber Futures Academy contributor, O'Mahony shapes cybersecurity education through WorldSkills Ireland engagement and industry-focused cyber range deployments that serve academic, governmental, and commercial sectors.

Fabiano PallonettoView profile

Professor

• Smart Grids
• Sustainable Mobility
• Energy Systems Optimization
• +3 more

Fabiano Pallonetto is a Professor at Maynooth University's School of Business, with affiliations to the Hamilton Institute and Innovation Value Institute (IVI). He combines academic research with industry experience in energy, IT, and transport sectors. Role: Professor Location: Room 314, Maynooth University Contact: Fabiano.Pallonetto@mu.ie His research focuses on smart grid integration, energy system optimization, and sustainable development. Key projects include: NexSys (Funded Investigator): Developing net-zero energy pathways FLOW (Principal Investigator): Flexible EV-grid integration RES4CITY (Coordinator): Workforce upskilling for renewables Recent publications analyze energy flexibility software, deep learning optimization models, phase change materials for thermal storage, and blockchain security frameworks. His work spans smart cities , renewable integration , and AI-driven energy systems . Student Supervision: Currently advising MR B. Mohseni-Gharyehsafa (PhD research).

• Augmented Reality
• Virtual Reality
• Mixed Reality
• +6 more

Abey Campbell is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin. He holds roles such as Deputy Programme Director for Computer Science, Director of UCD VR Lab, and 1st Year Stage Coordinator. His research focuses on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Multi-Agent Systems with applications in education, healthcare, and human-computer interaction. Campbell has coordinated modules like Augmented and Virtual Reality, Computer Graphics, Game Development, and Mobile Computing. He earned his BSc and PhD in Computer Science from University College Dublin. His work explores touchless interaction technologies, machine learning agents in STEM education, and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Notable contributions include RenderKernel for real-time rendering systems and studies on AR's role in decision support systems. Campbell has secured a grant from Enterprise Ireland for collaborative design documentation and participates in professional activities like peer reviewing for Frontiers in Virtual Reality and IEEE conferences. His collaborative projects include developing AR tools for veterinary training and evaluating immersive VR experiences in nursing education. The UCD VR Lab under his direction focuses on applied research in spatial computing and interactive systems.

Damien RafteryView profile

Lecturer

• Higher Education Pedagogy
• Generative AI in Education
• Academic Integrity
• +5 more

Damien Raftery is a Lecturer in the Department of Business at South East Technological University (SETU Carlow), where he has served since 1995. He holds roles as eLearning Development Officer in the Teaching and Learning Centre (since 2008) and External Examiner. His academic leadership includes Programme Directorships, Academic Council membership (2013-2015), and chairing the Teaching, Learning & Support Services Committee. Education: BSc (Hons) and MSc in Mathematical Science from University College Dublin (1994-1995), followed by an MA in Management in Education (Waterford Institute of Technology, 2003) and an MA in Educational Studies (University of Sheffield, 2017). Research focuses on higher education pedagogy, with emphasis on generative AI's impact on teaching/assessment, blended/flipped learning methodologies, and quantitative literacy. He actively contributes to educational technology through roles in the Irish Learning Technology Association (founding treasurer, conference organizer) and co-developed the StatsSkills web app for statistics education. His recent work addresses AI-driven challenges in assessment, VLE optimization, and digital pedagogy innovations. Collaborative efforts include organizing the 2024 Digital Education Conference and publishing on AI ethics in academic settings.

• Wireless Sensor Networks
• Next-Generation Computer Networks
• Wireless Mesh Networks
• +5 more

Professor Cormac J. Sreenan is a full professor in Computer Science at University College Cork (UCC), leading the Mobile & Internet Systems Lab (MISL) since 1999. He previously served as Head of School (2019-2021) and Head of Department (2015-2018 and 2000-2004). His research focuses on wireless sensor networks, multimedia networking, IoT, and adaptive video streaming. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and holds 9 patents. He is a Science Foundation Ireland Principal Investigator and a Fellow of both the British Computer Society (2005) and the Irish Academy of Engineering (2022). Education: PhD from the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory Member of Christ's College, Cambridge Research Interests: Wireless sensor networks and fault-tolerant designs Next-generation computer networks and IoT infrastructure Adaptive video streaming and QoE optimization Network security and technology transfer Grants & Collaborations: Principal Investigator on SFI grants including the €1M ENABLE project Collaborations with Irish companies and international agencies Experience in technical due diligence and expert witness roles Labs & Teams: Directs the Mobile & Internet Systems Lab (MISL), a multidisciplinary research group focused on mobile and multimedia network systems.

• Data Governance
• AI Ethics
• Data Protection
• +4 more

Dr. Rob Brennan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin. With 25 years of academic and industry experience, he specializes in data governance, AI ethics, and cybersecurity. His research integrates socio-technical systems analysis, data protection frameworks, and healthcare risk management. He leads the Value and Risk research challenge within the ADAPT Centre's Transparent Digital Governance initiative and coordinates projects like the ARK platform for risk governance. Education: BSc in Physics, Dublin City University MSc, Queen's University Belfast PhD in Governance, Dublin City University Professional Diploma in University Teaching and Learning, University College Dublin Research Interests: Data Governance & AI Accountability GDPR Compliance & Privacy Engineering Healthcare Risk Management Knowledge Graphs & Linked Data Cybersecurity & Incident Response Key Contributions: Co-PI of Science Foundation Ireland's Empower Data Governance project Coordinator of the €4M H2020 ALIGNED project on software/data engineering Developed the ARK platform for risk governance in healthcare and cybersecurity Grants & Awards: Best Paper Award at Extended Semantic Web Conference 2023 Principal Investigator for grants including the ARK-Virus platform (SFI-funded) Teaching & Mentorship: Coordinates courses on Cyber Risk Assessment, Incident Response, and Data Protection Supervises PhD students focusing on data governance and AI ethics Co-developed the MA in Data Protection and Privacy Law with Computing Professional Activities: Member of FAccT 2023 Program Committee Co-chair of the Irish Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science Contributor to international standards (OMG, IETF, 3GPP)

Ita RichardsonView profile

Professor

• Software Engineering
• Connected Health
• Global Software Development
• +3 more

Professor Ita Richardson is a Professor of Software Quality in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick. She serves as Co-Principal Investigator at Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre, funded by Science Foundation Ireland. Her roles include leading projects on Global Software Engineering, Connected Health, and Women in STEM. Affiliated with multiple centers including the Ageing Research Centre and Health Research Institute, she also holds adjunct professorship at the University of Eastern Finland. Education: PhD (1999), MSc (1992), BSc (1983). Her research focuses on software processes, quality in medical devices, global software development, and gender equity in STEM. Notable projects include FESTA (EU-funded initiative for female STEM academics) and TRANSFoRm (patient safety in Europe). She has supervised PhD students funded by SFI, IRC, EU, and international universities. Teaching spans software processes, software quality, and connected health at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Collaborations include IBM, Johnson & Johnson, and health institutions. Awards include Science Foundation Ireland Industry Fellowship (2014-2017). Active in initiatives like Athena SWAN and community engagement through Gaelic sports and cultural groups.