Michael Gilchrist

Michael Gilchrist is a Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD), leading the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering from 2011 to 2018 and serving as VP for Research in the College of Engineering from 2009 to 2011. His research focuses on dynamic mechanical behavior of materials, including polymers and biological tissues, with applications in micro-injection moulding, precision manufacturing, and biomechanical injury prevention. He has supervised over 60 PhD/MSc students and holds €15M in competitive research funding. His work has been licensed to 15+ companies globally and has spun out two start-ups.

Education:

• PhD and DEng from the University of Sheffield
• BE and MEngSc from NUI Galway
• Fellowships: FIMechE, FIEI, FIMMM, FInstP

Research Interests: Microfluidics, polymer processing, impact biomechanics, and protective equipment design. Notable contributions include modeling brain trauma in sports, optimizing micro-moulding processes, and developing biodegradable medical devices.

Publications & Awards: Over 300 peer-reviewed articles and awards like the All-Ireland Research-Teaching Integration Prize (2009), UCD Teaching Award (2009), and multiple best paper honors. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing real-world challenges in safety and manufacturing.

Grants & Labs: Key projects include the µnFLOSYN platform for nanomedicine (€1M), and collaborations with industry on polymer safety and microfabrication. His lab develops advanced materials and injury prevention technologies for sports, healthcare, and aerospace.