Paul Townsend

Prof. Paul Townsend is Head of the Photonics Centre at Tyndall National Institute and Research Professor in the Department of Physics at University College Cork (UCC). He leads a research group of 130 staff and students, focusing on photonic integration and applications in telecommunications and healthcare. As Director of the SFI-funded Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC), he drives advancements in medical diagnostics and optical communications. His research spans next-generation fiber networks, quantum key distribution (QKD), and energy-efficient photonic systems.

Education: PhD in Physics (University of Cambridge, 1987). Career highlights include pioneering work on QKD at BT Laboratories and leadership roles in industry (Bellcore, Corning). He has authored 170+ publications, holds 16 patent families, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.

Research interests include photonic communications, quantum communications, and optical network design. Notable grants include €24M for IPIC and multiple SFI/EU projects. Awards include UCC's Research Professorship (2012) and Honorary Professorship at Heriot-Watt University.

Advises PhD students in photonics and optical systems (e.g., burst-mode transmission, QKD on WDM-PONs). Collaborates with industry partners like BT, Intel, and Nokia Siemens Networks. Leads IPIC, a hub for photonic integration and biomedical innovation.