Prof. Donal O'Shea is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Previously, he held roles including Head of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry at RCSI and Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD). He earned a PhD (1993) and BSc (1990) in Chemistry from University College Galway. His research focuses on synthesizing complex molecules for applications in fluorescence-guided surgery , light-activated anti-cancer agents , and nanomedicine . Key areas include near-infrared fluorophores , drug delivery systems , and collaborations with medical imaging. He has led initiatives like the Centre for Synthesis & Chemical Biology at UCD and contributed to projects on exosome imaging and anti-microbial agents. Recent publications highlight innovations in fluorescence imaging probes , vaping health risk modeling , and bioorthogonal reactions . His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health). Awards include the 2012 North/South Ireland Lectureship , Teacher of the Year (2008, 2011), and multiple visiting professorships. He has secured grants totaling millions, including SFI-funded projects on super-resolution imaging and colorectal cancer diagnostics . Prof. O'Shea oversees RCSI's Chemistry Department and collaborates internationally. His lab develops tools for real-time cellular imaging and targeted drug delivery , with applications in surgery and oncology.






