Dr. Alison O'Connor is an Assistant Professor at the University of Limerick , affiliated with the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems , Ageing Research Centre , and Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre . Her research bridges machine learning with mechanics of materials and healthcare data analytics , focusing on applications in structural integrity , Industry 4.0 , and medical informatics . Education : PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Imperial College London, 2015-2019), Graduate Diploma in Advanced Materials (2008-2009), and BSc in Aeronautical Engineering (2004-2008). Her research interests span explainable AI for healthcare decision-making, finite element analysis in nuclear steel integrity, and cold rolling process modeling . Recent publications highlight her work on agent-based patient pathway simulations and MRI texture analysis of traumatic brain injury. She contributes to journal peer-review and university committees as a core member. Publication trends show dual expertise: 50% in structural integrity and materials science, 50% in neuroscience and medical diagnostics . Key subfields include dopamine regulation , microdialysis techniques , and computational medicine .
Dr. Ravikant Singh is a Post Doctoral Fellow Level 1 at University College Dublin's School of Civil Engineering, working on the STANDARDIZE project with the Modern Methods in Construction Research Group (MMCRG). Previously, he served as a Guest Lecturer at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Arunachal Pradesh, India from August to December 2024, where he taught Construction Planning and Management, Engineering Geology, and Engineering Hazard Analysis and Control with a focus on Structural Fire Hazards. Dr. Singh's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna M.Eng. in Structural Engineering from National Institute Of Technical Teachers Training and Research Institute (NITTTR), Bhopal B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal Dr. Singh's research focuses on structural fire engineering, particularly on developing standardized solutions for innovative construction techniques in Ireland. His work combines experimental fire testing and advanced numerical finite element simulations to improve understanding of failure mechanisms in structural elements exposed to fire. He specializes in cold-formed steel members exposed to elevated temperatures, investigating thermal gradients, critical temperatures, buckling behaviors, and structural performance under various fire scenarios. His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on advancing fire safety standards for cold-formed steel structures. Dr. Singh's research has explored various aspects including thermal gradients in flexural members, reliability assessment of design proposals, critical temperature prediction, local-distortional coupled buckling, and the effects of different loading patterns on structural performance during fire exposure. His work bridges theoretical research with practical engineering applications, contributing significantly to the field of structural fire engineering. Dr. Singh has received several prestigious awards and honors: Best Poster Award (2021, IIT Patna) Best Poster Award (2022, IIT Patna) My Research in 3 Minutes Award (2022, IIT Patna) International Travel Grant from Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (2023) International travel support from IIT Patna (2022) Full funding for both PhD and M.Tech through Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India During his time at IIT Patna, Dr. Singh actively mentored Postgraduate and PhD Scholars while serving as the Department Academic Program Coordinator (2022-2024) and Postgraduate Training & Placement Head (2022-2024). He has secured significant research funding including the International Travel Grant from DST, Government of India, and full funding for his doctoral and master's studies through the Ministry of Education. His collaborative approach is evident in his extensive publication record and professional activities, which include peer reviewing for prominent journals in structural engineering. Dr. Singh is part of the Modern Methods in Construction Research Group (MMCRG) at University College Dublin, where he contributes to the STANDARDIZE project. His work involves close collaboration with industry partners to develop practical fire safety solutions for innovative construction techniques in Ireland. He maintains active professional engagement through memberships in the American Society of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), and Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC).
Dr. Samar Raffoul is a Research Fellow at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin (UCD), where she holds a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship. She is actively involved in the Modern Methods of Construction Research Group (MMCRG) and the Centre for Critical Infrastructure Research (CCIR), focusing on innovative and sustainable structural solutions. Her educational background includes a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Balamand (2011), an MSc in Structural Engineering from the University of Manchester (2012), and a PhD from the University of Sheffield (2018), where her research explored the use of waste tyre components in FRP-confined concrete. Dr. Raffoul's research interests span modern methods of construction, structural robustness, composite design, constitutive modelling, and sustainable material development. She is particularly passionate about reducing environmental impact through the reuse of recycled materials such as rubber from end-of-life tyres, and optimizing structural systems for greater sustainability and resilience. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on material behavior under extreme conditions, including fire and accidental loading, as well as computational modeling for industrial processes. Key themes include embodied carbon in construction, cyclic behavior of rubberized concrete, post-fire performance of metal structures, and composite cold-formed steel-timber systems. She employs both experimental and numerical methods to advance structural design practices. Her scientific recognition includes the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship. Funded projects include the Horizon 2020 'Concatenation' project on modular construction robustness, the FP7 'Anagennisi' project on tyre reuse in concrete, and a UK KTP project on cold-formed steel systems. Dr. Raffoul has advised on industrial design solutions through roles at Fusion Building Systems and Evolusion Innovation. She is a member of the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, reflecting her engagement in academic development. While no formal students are listed, her work supports knowledge transfer to industry and broader engineering communities. She is affiliated with key research groups: the Modern Methods of Construction Research Group (MMCRG) and the Centre for Critical Infrastructure Research (CCIR) at UCD, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts in resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Associate Professor Daniel McCrum is a faculty member at the School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD). He holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and has held academic positions at Queen's University Belfast and UCD. His research focuses on modern methods of construction, structural steel, resilience of infrastructure, and cyber-physical threats. He leads the Modern Methods of Construction Research Group (MMCRG) and is involved in projects like Construct Innovate and the Horizon 2020-funded PRECINCT initiative. Education: BEng (1st class) from Trinity College Dublin (2005), MSc in Structural Engineering (2006, University of Glasgow), PhD in Civil Engineering (Trinity College Dublin, 2008). Research interests include modular construction, cold-formed steel design, bridge aerodynamics, and critical infrastructure resilience. He has supervised over 15 postgraduate researchers and led numerous funded projects including EU-funded research on construction standards and predictive modeling tools. Awards include the 2022 Teaching Excellence Award and the 2016 Fulbright Scholarship. Professional roles include Programme Director for Civil Engineering programs at UCD, Head of Teaching and Learning (2019–2020), and member of Construct Innovate's Centre Executive Management Committee. He is a Chartered Structural Engineer with the Institution of Structural Engineers and an active peer reviewer for journals like Engineering Structures and Structure and Infrastructure Engineering. Key contributions include advancing CFS structural analysis, developing robustness frameworks for cyber-physical infrastructure, and aerodynamic studies on long-span bridges like the Queensferry Crossing. His work integrates computational methods with experimental testing to address challenges in construction safety and disaster resilience.
Dr. Ciaran McNally is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD). He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from UCD (2001) and a Professional Diploma in Teaching & Learning (2015). His research focuses on advanced materials, including concrete durability, asphalt technology, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), and digital design methods like 3D printing and BIM. He has secured over €2 million in research funding, leading EU projects such as the Marie Curie Initial Training Network TEAM (€3.2M). Education: BE, PhD (Civil Engineering, UCD); Prof Dip University Teaching & Learning (UCD) Affiliations: Irish Concrete Society (Treasurer), Engineering Graduates Association Committees: College Executive Board, Safety Committee (School/College), UCD Covid-19 Consultative Committee His research interests span low-carbon concrete, eco-engineering for marine structures, and infrastructure asset management. Notable contributions include studies on reclaimed asphalt in pavements, bio-inspired optimization, and durability of GGBS blends. He coordinates modules like Advanced Materials and Group Design Projects, emphasizing practical engineering and sustainability. Recent articles highlight innovations in 3D-printed concrete, low-carbon materials, and steel stud behavior. McNally’s work bridges academic research with industry applications, promoting sustainable construction practices and lifecycle thinking.
Dr. Aswathy K C is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow Level I at the School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), where she contributes to the Standardize Project focused on open-source certification and regulatory compliance for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and off-site building technologies. Her academic background includes a PhD in Structural Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad (2024), an MS from the same institution, and a BTech from the National Institute of Technology Calicut. Her doctoral research addressed buckling modes in cold-formed steel (CFS) compression members, proposing a unified design approach currently under review for inclusion in the Indian Standard IS 801. Her research interests center on structural stability, particularly the interaction of local, flexural-torsional, and distortional buckling in CFS members. She employs advanced experimental and numerical methods, including finite element modeling, to investigate postbuckling strength and develop improved design equations. She is also expanding into sustainable and digital construction technologies. Her recent publications (2018–2025) in journals like Journal of Structural Engineering (ASCE) and Thin-Walled Structures reveal a strong focus on buckling interactions in CFS angle and channel sections, with systematic studies on global-global, local-flexural-torsional, and stiffened-unstiffened element interactions. These works combine experimental testing with extensive numerical databases to propose accurate strength prediction models. Dr. Aswathy is actively engaged in current research and has no listed scientific awards or students in the provided texts. Her work is primarily conducted within the MMC research group at UCD. She is supported by research grants through the Standardize Project and collaborates with researchers such as Anil Kumar MV. Her contributions are advancing the safety and efficiency of cold-formed steel structural systems. The research is conducted within the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) research group at the School of Civil Engineering, UCD, which focuses on innovative, sustainable, and digitally enabled construction practices.
