Kevin McGuigan

Professor Kevin McGuigan is a distinguished academic and researcher at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where he serves as Professor of Medical Physics in the Department of Physiology & Medical Physics. He directs the RCSI Solar Disinfection Research Group, which develops solar-based water treatment technologies for resource-poor environments. His academic leadership extends to his role as RCSI Academic Director of Community and Public Engagement since 2020.

Professor McGuigan's research spans solar and photocatalytic disinfection of waterborne pathogens, bioengineering applications of photocatalysis, and applications of Group Theory in Quantum Mechanics. His work directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 3 (Good Health and Well Being), with field studies conducted across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. His research group has pioneered the scaling up of Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) technology from standard 2L bottles to larger-volume containers to increase treatment capacity in resource-limited settings.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on container materials science, microplastic release assessment, life cycle analysis of water treatment technologies, and field validation of solar disinfection systems in African communities. The research demonstrates significant health impacts, with adherence to SODIS reducing diarrheal incidence among children in Malawi by up to 90%.

• 2019 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize Laureate for Research in the Life Sciences
• 2024 RCSI International Sustainability & Climate Health Research Award
• Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP, 2007)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, 2014)
• 2022 Mayoral Award from Drogheda Borough Council
• 2013 Higher Doctorate in Science (DSc) from Dublin City University

Professor McGuigan has supervised 6 PhD and 3 MSc students to completion and teaches Physics across RCSI's Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy programs. His current major funding includes the €1.3M SURG-Water project (SFI) and the €4.9M EU Horizon 2020 PANIWATER Project, reflecting his leadership in sustainable water treatment research.

The RCSI Solar Disinfection Research Group, under his direction, has successfully coordinated field studies in Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Cambodia and India. Current projects focus on implementing solar disinfection systems in maternal health facilities and developing novel water treatment technologies through international collaborations.