Jacqueline Humphries is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology at the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology. Her research focuses on Industry 4.0, robotics safety, computer vision, and quality management systems. She has contributed to over 10 peer-reviewed publications between 2019-2024, with a particular emphasis on human-robot collaboration safety, manufacturing error reduction, and sustainable production frameworks. Key research themes include optimizing human-robot interaction through computer vision fusion, enhancing quality 4.0 standards, and designing effective industry-academia partnerships for technology adoption. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable industry and innovation. Recent studies explore topics like protective separation distance in collaborative robotics, lighting conditions' impact on object detection accuracy, and taxonomy development for human augmentation technologies in manufacturing. No formal awards are listed, though her h-index of 20 reflects significant citation activity.
Yuansong (John) Qiao is a Research Fellow at the Software Research Institute (SRI), Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. His work spans cybersecurity, blockchain, and reinforcement learning, contributing to technologies like decentralized edge environments, intrusion detection systems, and immersive 360° video analytics. He supervises PhD students and actively explores applications in robotics, digital twins, and IoT. Recent publications highlight his focus on multi-view deep learning for anomaly detection , blockchain integration with AI , and ROS-based reinforcement learning . These works address challenges in cyber threat identification, decentralized finance, and smart manufacturing. His methodological innovations include knowledge graphs for security analytics and spatial audio analysis for VR environments. Qiao’s research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Quality Education (through supervised student projects) and Industry Innovation (via tools like Containerchain and UniROS). His collaborations span cybersecurity frameworks, decentralized robotics, and privacy-preserving systems for smart cities.
Dr. Sean Lyons is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Science and Health, Department of Bioveterinary and Microbial Sciences. With an h-index of 24 and over 2072 citations, his research spans Material Science, Robotics, and Sustainable Manufacturing. His work focuses on advanced manufacturing technologies, including Asset Administration Shells , OPC UA protocols , and ROS-based computer vision systems , particularly for robotics and polymer-metal composites. He has contributed to optimizing electroless plating techniques for ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) and sustainable production systems. Recent publications in 2024 highlight his expertise in Smart Manufacturing , Computer Vision , and Polymer Engineering . His research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovations in sustainable materials and automation. Lyons has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, including with Dr. Costelha, Dr. Devine, and Professor Higginbotham, across institutions in Europe. His 70+ research outputs since 2006 reflect sustained contributions to manufacturing and materials science.
Salim Saay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick, and a Researcher at Lero—the SFI Research Centre for Software and R@ISE. He holds a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from Tallinn University, Estonia, and prior academic roles include Lecturer at Athlone Institute of Technology and Associate Professor at Kabul University. His research focuses on software architecture design, low-code/no-code systems, secure collaboration platforms, blockchain, and AI-driven technologies. He is funded by SFI, EC, USAID, and NATO, leading projects like the R@ISE initiative for LCNC adoption in Ireland. Education: Ph.D., Software Engineering, Tallinn University, Estonia Master's, Computer Science, University of the Western Cape, South Africa Bachelor's, Computer Science, Kabul University Research Interests: Dr. Saay integrates emerging technologies to enhance system security, scalability, and efficiency, particularly in educational and organizational contexts. Current projects include secure school collaboration platforms, blockchain-based MOOCs for sustainability, and AI-driven robotic technology research. Grants & Projects: R@ISE Project: LCNC adoption in Ireland (Funded by SFI) Blockchain for Environmental Sustainability MOOC AI-Driven Collaborative Robotics Platform Labs & Teams: Active in Lero, R@ISE, and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre. Collaborates internationally on e-Learning infrastructure and NRENs (National Research and Education Networks).
Larisa Florea is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, where she leads an independent research group focused on advanced materials and soft robotics. She is also affiliated with the AMBER Centre, a Science Foundation Ireland research center for advanced materials and bioengineering. Her work integrates chemistry, engineering, and data science to develop next-generation responsive materials. Trinity College Dublin, School of Chemistry AMBER Centre (Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research) Her research centers on stimuli-responsive polymers, 3D/4D printing via two-photon polymerization, microfabrication of smart actuators and sensors, and autonomous micro-vehicles. She develops materials that change shape, color, or function in response to light, temperature, chemicals, or pH, with applications in soft robotics, biomedical devices, and environmental sensing. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in dynamic photonic structures, sugar-responsive hydrogels, and vapor-sensing microsystems. These works highlight her expertise in merging precision fabrication with intelligent material design. She frequently employs two-photon lithography to create microscale devices with sub-micron resolution, enabling applications in encryption, biosensing, and microfluidics. European Research Council Starting Grant (2018) IRC Laureate STG Award (2018) Invent Commercialisation Award, DCU (2016) Irish Research Council PhD Scholarship (2009) SFI UREKA Undergraduate Award (2008) Larisa Florea has successfully secured major grants, including an ERC Starting Grant and an IRC Laureate Award, to support her independent research. She actively mentors students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom are co-authors on her high-impact publications. Her lab, the FloreaLab, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in materials science. She leads a dynamic research team developing smart microstructures and soft actuators. Her lab utilizes advanced fabrication techniques such as two-photon polymerization and microfluidics to engineer responsive systems. The team collaborates with experts in data analytics, robotics, and bioengineering to push the boundaries of functional materials.
Dr. Andrew Butterfield is a faculty member at the School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin. He serves as Head of the Foundations and Methods Group and actively contributes to Lero: the Irish Software Research Centre. His research focuses on Formal Methods and Functional Programming, particularly the Unifying Theories of Programming (UTP) paradigm, with applications in clinical pathways, medical device software, and spacecraft operating systems. Current research includes developing UTP theories for shared-variable concurrency, rely/guarantee reasoning, and separation logic in collaboration with Jim Woodcock. He also explores Process Modelling Language (PML) semantics with John Noll and Anila Mjeda. His contributions feature proof-assistance tools like UTP2 Theorem Prover, UTP Calculator, and ReasonEq implemented in Haskell. Andrew leads funded projects such as ESA's RTEMS-SMP (2019) and SFI's FMHIDA (2016-2020). Past projects encompass formal verification of separation kernels, Handel-C language semantics, and NAND flash memory models. He has taught courses in Formal Methods, Functional Programming, and Concurrency, while serving on editorial and program committees including Formal Aspects of Computing.
Elfed Lewis is a Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick's Faculty of Science and Engineering. He serves as Director of the Optical Fibre Sensors Research Centre (OFSRC) and is a member of both the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre and the Optical Fibre Sensors Research Centre. With over 28 years of academic leadership since joining University of Limerick in 1996, Professor Lewis has established himself as a world-renowned researcher in optical fiber sensing technologies, with more than 200 journal papers and 150 conference contributions. Professor Lewis earned his BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Liverpool University in 1981 and completed his PhD from the same institution in 1987. His doctoral research focused on high-speed photography and spectroscopy of electric circuit breaker arcs during the current zero phase. Prior to joining UL, he worked with BICC Telecom Cables and established a research group at Liverpool John Moores University. Professor Lewis's research spans Optoelectronics, Neural Networks, Optical Fibre Sensors, and Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation , with significant applications in medical physics (particularly radiation dosimetry for cancer treatment), environmental monitoring, and industrial sensing. His research fingerprint shows dominant activity in Fiber Optics Engineering (100%), Fiber Optic Sensor Engineering (69%), and Glass Fiber Material Science (50%). His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a clear focus on applying optical fiber sensor technology to solve critical challenges in radiotherapy dosimetry, with particular attention to FLASH radiotherapy, small-field radiation measurements, and real-time dose monitoring systems. The research trajectory shows increasingly sophisticated sensor designs capable of multi-parameter measurements with high precision for clinical applications. Institute of Measurement and Control Finkelstein Award for excellence in International Research (2024) University of Limerick President's Research Excellence Impact award (2023) University of Limerick Special Achievement in Research Award (2005) Fulbright Scholar (2008) Distinguished Lecturer for IEEE Sensors Council (2013-2015) Vice President for Technical Operations for the IEEE Sensors Council (2017-2019) Vice President of International Society of Sensing Technology (2025) Fellow of Institute of Physics, IET, and Royal Society of Chemistry Senior member IEEE Professor Lewis actively supervises PhD students and has secured substantial research funding supporting his work. He has organized major international conferences including IEEE Sensors 2011, EWOFS 2016, IEEE World Forum on Internet of Things (2019), and Sensors and Applications Conference 2024. His leadership extends to editorial roles and professional society governance. As Director of OFSRC, Professor Lewis leads a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing fiber optic sensing technologies with strong collaborations with medical institutions for cancer treatment applications and industrial partners. Current projects emphasize development of next-generation sensors for precision medicine, particularly in radiation oncology, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health, industry innovation, and clean water.
Prof. Daniel Toal is a Full Professor and Chair of Electrical Engineering and Robotics at the University of Limerick , affiliated with the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and multiple research centers including Lero and the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems . With a PhD and M.Sc. from Cranfield University, he specializes in marine robotics, controller design, and autonomous systems for challenging environments. Ph.D. (Electronics & Computer Engineering) M.Sc. (Cranfield University) His research focuses on robot motion control , intervention robotics for offshore energy systems, and sensor integration for underwater operations. Key projects include autonomous inspection of offshore wind farms, friction stir welding for ship hull repair, and LiDAR-based bridge inspection systems. Recent publications highlight advancements in autonomous path planning , visual servoing , and underwater sensor systems , with applications in offshore wind energy and marine infrastructure. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable marine technologies. Denny Medal (2008) - Best Paper in Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology Prof. Toal teaches courses in industrial robotics , marine operations , and control systems , while leading collaborations with European research networks and contributing to robotics standards development through IEEE and IFAC memberships.
Eleni Mangina is a Full Professor at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin (UCD), and Vice Principal (International) for the College of Science. Her research focuses on applied artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and extended reality (XR) technologies with interdisciplinary applications in energy systems and education. She holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde (UK), an MSc in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh, and an MSc in Agricultural Science from the Agricultural University of Athens. Education : PhD, University of Strathclyde (UK), 2001 MSc in Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh (UK) MSc in Agricultural Science, Agricultural University of Athens (Greece) HDip in University Teaching & Learning, UCD Research Interests : AI-driven optimization for energy and materials Xr applications in healthcare and education Citizen science and open data practices Robotics in early childhood education Smart city technologies Awards & Honors : 2022 CEN/CENELEC Standards Innovation Award 2021 Athena SWAN Bronze Award (School of Computer Science) 2020 UCD President's Teaching Award 2022 StandICT.eu Fellowship Grants & Projects : Coordinator of EU H2020 projects: ARETE, AHA, and FANTASIA Principal Investigator in SFI Energy Systems Integration Programme Lead on multiple XR and energy-related grants (2017-2025) Labs & Teams : Her lab develops XR solutions for education and energy, collaborating with EU and international partners. Current focuses include ethical XR standards and AI integration with metaverse platforms.
Dr. Mohamed Saadeldin is an Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin (UCD). He holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Khartoum (2005) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UCD (2013). His research spans generative AI, computer vision, and foundation models, with applications in healthcare, biomedicine, robotics, and energy. Recently, he has focused on AI-driven solutions for healthcare disparities, such as automated breast cancer screening using low-cost ultrasounds, and multimodal foundation models for precision medicine. He also explores LLM-driven UAV navigation and energy grid management using transformer models. Education: B.Sc. (Honours) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Khartoum, 2005 Ph.D. in Computer Science, University College Dublin, 2013 Teaching: Coordinates modules in Computer Graphics, Data Structures and Algorithms, and Mobile Computing at UCD’s joint college in China (BDIC). His research interests include generative AI for healthcare, computer vision in robotics, and deep learning for agricultural optimization. Notable projects include vision foundation models for medical imaging, collaboration with Systems Biology Ireland on multimodal models for drug repurposing, and energy grid management via smart meter data analysis. He has authored/co-authored over 30 publications, including IEEE transactions and book chapters. Grants and collaborations involve industry partnerships on load disaggregation and academic projects like VistaMilk for dairy sector applications. His early work on ultrasonic systems for indoor localization and gesture control demonstrates his long-standing expertise in signal processing and human-AI interaction.
Dr. Aasifa Rounak is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD). She holds dual roles as a BE Automotive Engineering Programme Staff and Chair of the School’s EDI Committee. Her research focuses on nonlinear dynamical systems, particularly discontinuity-induced bifurcations in mechanical systems undergoing impacts and friction, with applications in automotive engineering, biomedical tools, and structural health monitoring. Education: BTech from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla MSc in Applied Mechanics from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras PhD in Applied Mechanics from IIT Madras Research Themes: Nonlinear dynamics, stochastic bifurcations, vibro-impact systems, energy harvesting, neuromorphic computing for control systems. Her work bridges theoretical analysis (e.g., bifurcation maps, Lyapunov exponents) and experimental validation (e.g., modal testing of micro-drills, electronic circuit models). Teaching: Coordinates modules like Solid Mechanics 1/2 and Vehicle Structural Analysis. Her pedagogy emphasizes hands-on learning and geometric intuition, as seen in her 2024 Teaching Excellence Award. Awards & Grants: Recipient of 2024 Teaching Excellence Award (UCD) Principal Investigator on grants like "Stochastic Dynamics and Chatter in Metal Cutting Applications" (2022–2026) Labs & Teams: Leads the Dynamical Systems and Risk Laboratory, overseeing projects on energy harvesting sensors and neuromorphic control systems. Collaborates with industry partners like Salt Medical on biomedical device dynamics. Professional Activities: Peer reviewer for journals like Nonlinear Dynamics and Journal of Vibration and Control . Active in COST Action ODIN for inspection-optimization frameworks.
Dr. Paul Young is an Associate Professor and Head of School at Dublin City University's School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering. He holds a BA.BAI in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (1986) and a PhD (1991) from Dublin University, where his research focused on high-frequency vibration monitoring in machining processes. His industry experience includes project engineering at ESTECH Corp. (Japan) and research at University College Dublin's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. Dr. Young's research focuses on data-driven modeling to optimize engineering systems, with applications in manufacturing processes, electric vehicle design, sustainable refrigeration, and collaborative robotics. He has led EU projects and collaborations with Intel, Irish Manufacturing Research, and automotive manufacturers. His work integrates computer-aided engineering with industrial automation for efficiency improvements. He has supervised 12 PhD students to completion and contributes to Ireland's National Council on Collaborative Robotics in Manufacturing. His research has been funded by Enterprise Ireland, EU programs, and industry partners.
Harry Esmonde is an Associate Professor at Dublin City University's School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering. Before joining academia, he gained industry experience in nuclear, aerospace, and engineering adhesive sectors, bringing applied perspectives to his research and teaching. Esmonde's research explores mechatronic systems, robotics applications, smart material integration, and industrial automation solutions. His work includes sensor development, signal processing algorithms, and control systems for manufacturing and healthcare contexts. Collaborative projects involve hospital robotics through the iWARD initiative, developing modular systems for patient monitoring. Recent publications focus on robotic system performance optimization, precision measurement techniques, and ergonomic design applications. Esmonde maintains industry collaborations to translate research into practical engineering solutions for manufacturing automation.
Dr. David Sinclair is an Associate Professor and Year Head in the School of Computing at Dublin City University, affiliated with the Dependable Systems, Software Engineering, and Security research groups. His research spans formal methods, distributed systems, real-time systems, and AI applications in strategic games. Teaching responsibilities include foundational and advanced courses: CSC1018 Logic CSC1048 Computability & Complexity CSC1098 Compiler Construction CSC1141 Concurrent Programming CSC1049 Third Year Project supervision His publications demonstrate strong focus on real-time systems, motion prediction, and immersive technologies, with recent work exploring AI-driven virtual environments and light field processing. Research consistently addresses computational efficiency and formal verification challenges.
Dr. Tony Cafolla is an Emeritus Associate Professor at Dublin City University's School of Physical Sciences. He has held this position since 1992, with prior research roles at the University of Manchester and University of Wales, College of Cardiff. He is affiliated with the HEA-funded National Centre for Sensor Research since 1999. Education: B.Sc. in Experimental Physics, Trinity College Dublin (1975) M.Sc. in Nuclear Instrumentation Physics, Trinity College Dublin (1977) Ph.D. in Solid State Physics, University of Virginia (1985) Research Interests: Electronic and chemical properties of semiconductor surfaces Photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation Surface structural studies via I-V Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), Scanning Tunnelling Spectroscopy (STS), and optical probes Development of advanced materials for sensor applications (e.g., graphene, ceria thin films) Recent Research Trends: His work spans nanomaterial characterization (e.g., MoS₂ flakes, ZnO nanostructures), surface functionalization (e.g., bromine-functionalized molecules), and interdisciplinary applications in robotics and biomedical coatings. Publications emphasize experimental techniques like STM/STS and synchrotron-based spectroscopy. Awards: None explicitly listed. Grants/Advising: No specific grants or advisees mentioned, though his involvement with the National Centre for Sensor Research indicates collaborative research activity. Labs/Teams: Active in the National Centre for Sensor Research, focusing on sensor technology and material innovation.
