Paul O'Toole is a Professor of Microbial Genomics and Principal Investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork. His research focuses on the gut microbiome's role in health, aging, and disease, particularly in the context of diet and probiotics. He leads projects like the ELDERMET study on elderly nutrition and the NU-AGE project exploring Mediterranean diets' anti-aging effects. He holds a BA (Mod.) from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from Lund University, with postdoctoral training in Canada and New Zealand. Key grants include studies on dairy-derived microbiota, probiotic strain improvement, and microbiome analysis in aging populations. He has published extensively on Lactobacillus genomics, gut-brain interactions, and microbiome-driven health outcomes. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical applications, emphasizing translational research. Scientific highlights include discovering microbiome links to cognitive decline, demonstrating dietary modulation of gut microbes to combat obesity, and identifying keystone species in healthy aging. He advocates for sustainability in conservation and food systems, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to global health challenges.
Professor Francis Butler is a Full Professor at University College Dublin's School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, where he has been since 1990. His academic roles include research leadership in food safety, food chain integrity, and microbial risk assessment. He leads the UCD Institute for Food and Health and the UCD Centre for Food Safety as a Principal Investigator. Education: BE, Grad Dip University Teaching & Learning, MBA, and PhD from University College Dublin. Research Focus: His work centers on food safety hazards, quantitative risk assessment, and next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification. Recent projects include Listeria monocytogenes growth modeling, norovirus in oysters, and hepatitis E in pork products. He has secured over €6 million in research grants, including EU-funded projects like FOODINTEGRITY and SIGMACHAIN. Awards & Recognition: European Food Safety Authority Fellowship, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, and UCD Teaching Grant. He coordinates international educational programs, including the UCD MSC Food Safety and Risk Analysis. Professional Activities: Member of EFSA advisory committees, editorial boards (e.g., Microbial Risk Analysis ), and international conference chairs. His work bridges academia, industry, and policy to enhance food safety standards globally.
Dr. F. Jerry Reen serves as a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator in the School of Microbiology at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. With over two decades of academic experience since joining UCC's Department of Microbiology in 2002, he has established himself as a leading researcher in microbial communication systems and host-pathogen interactions. His research group operates within the BIOMERIT Research Centre, and he maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions in Ireland and internationally. Dr. Reen earned his BSc in Biochemistry at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), followed by a PhD in the Molecular GlycoBiotechnology Group at NUIG, supported by an Enterprise Ireland Scholarship and an NUI Teaching Fellowship. His academic journey includes a postdoctoral position in the lab of Dr. E. Fidelma Boyd at UCC, during which he was a visiting scientist at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego and received an IRCSET Postdoctoral Fellowship for bacteriophage-host interactions research. Dr. Reen's research focuses on deciphering communication systems underpinning polymicrobial-host interactions for human and ecosystem health, with particular emphasis on small molecule signaling in microbial communities. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with translational applications, targeting antimicrobial resistance through chemico-biological therapeutics and developing sustainable pharmaceutical production methods using marine biocatalysts. His research has evolved from early work on Vibrio species to current investigations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa signaling systems, bile acid interactions in cystic fibrosis, and marine enzyme applications in green chemistry. His laboratory's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with over 80 peer-reviewed papers (h-index 26), spanning from foundational studies on LysR-type transcriptional regulators to recent innovations in virtual reality educational tools. The research trajectory reveals an expanding scope from molecular microbiology to systems-level understanding of microbial communities, with increasing emphasis on sustainable solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. Bronze LEAF Award (2022) - Green Campus University College Cork The Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) Award (2021) - National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning Purdy-Lucey UCC Life Sciences Invention of the Year 2015 (2016) Best Poster Exhibition (2012) - Royal Irish Academy National Researcher of the Year, Silver Medal (2011) - Roche BioSciences Researcher of the Year, Gold Medal (2011) - Roche Dr. Reen has successfully secured significant research funding from multiple sources including Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Health Research Board (HRB), Enterprise Ireland, and Irish Research Council. His current projects include 'BioBloc' enhanced Contact LEns solutioNS (BBCLENS), HEACOVID19, SSPC3 Pharm5, and investigations into novel macrolides for cystic fibrosis management. He has mentored numerous graduate students, including Stephanie Flynn (PhD, 2019), Noelle McCarthy (PhD, 2009), and David Woods (MSc, 2008), with two doctoral students currently completing their research. His educational innovations, particularly student-partnered virtual reality simulations, have transformed how challenging molecular concepts are taught. Dr. Reen leads an interdisciplinary research group that combines microbiology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and education technology. His team collaborates with internal UCC colleagues including Dr. Gerard McGlacken and Prof. Anita Maguire, as well as external partners from institutions like the University of Warwick, Medical University of Graz, and University de Porto. The laboratory maintains strong connections with clinical researchers studying cystic fibrosis and has developed novel approaches for detecting bacterial signaling molecules using boron-doped diamond electrodes.
Professor Enda Cummins is a faculty member at University College Dublin (UCD), serving as Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering. He also holds roles as Head of Teaching and Learning and Visiting Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium. His research focuses on risk assessment, predictive modeling, food safety, and environmental contamination, with an emphasis on chemicals (e.g., acrylamide, nanoparticles) and pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella). He leads a multidisciplinary team and coordinates the EU-funded H2020 ITN project PROTECT, addressing climate change impacts on food safety. Education: BAgrSc, MEngSc, PhD from UCD. Teaching emphasizes problem-based learning and integrates research innovations. He developed the EU-funded Erasmus+ Predictive Modelling and Risk Assessment program and coordinates the MEngSc in Food Engineering. Grants include projects on antimicrobial resistance, nanoparticle toxicity, and urease inhibitor efficacy. Over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 123 conference papers highlight his work on risk assessment, food safety, and environmental modeling.
Professor Siobhán McClean (University College Dublin) is a leading researcher in Biomolecular and Biomedical Science with 24 years of academic experience. Her work focuses on chronic respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis patients and vaccine development against ESKAPE pathogens. Current roles: Professor (2024-present) Associate Dean for Widening Participation (2019-2023) Head of Biochemistry (2019-2022) Academic qualifications: BSc in Biochemistry, UCD PhD, Imperial College London Professional Diploma in Creativity & Innovation, UCD Research Interests: Specializing in bacterial adaptation to hypoxia in chronic infections, she leads studies on Burkholderia cepacia complex, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pandoraea pulmonicola. Her team develops novel vaccine antigens through proteomic analysis of host-pathogen interactions, with recent work on TLR4 agonists and universal stress proteins. Article Trends: Recent publications focus on mRNA vaccine platforms, hypoxia-driven pathogenesis, and cross-reactive antigens for ESKAPE pathogens. Key themes include adjuvant optimization, host cell attachment mechanisms, and immune correlate analysis across bacterial/viral/parasitic agents. Scientific Awards: Principal Investigator for Marie Curie BactiVax network Coordinator of All-island Vaccine Research Alliance (AIVRT) Science Foundation Ireland grant recipient Training Leadership: Supervises 7 active PhD researchers and has trained 15 Marie Curie students across 8 countries. Her lab develops cationic nanoparticles and investigates bacterial stress responses.
Dr. Paulina Flannery is a Lecturer in Molecular Biology/Biotechnology at Bangor University's Faculty of Science and Health, within the Department of Bioveterinary and Microbial Sciences. She obtained her PhD in Microbiology from the National University of Ireland, Galway, focusing on norovirus contamination in shellfish and public health implications. Her expertise includes virology, molecular diagnostics, and veterinary medicine, with a current focus on microbial pathogens and bacteriophage therapy to combat antibiotic resistance. She has authored over 35 peer-reviewed articles and collaborates internationally on viral diagnostics and biosafety training. Her research spans veterinary virology, including work at the Pirbright Institute on high-consequence animal viruses and development of molecular diagnostics. She actively contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in addressing health and environmental challenges. Notable collaborations include developing high-throughput sequencing methods and training programs for exotic virus identification. Recent press coverage highlights her work on estuarine microbial dynamics and pathogen management. While currently accepting PhD students, no formal advisees are listed. Her contributions to rapid diagnostic tools for viral pathogens underscore her commitment to advancing veterinary and public health solutions.
Prof. Cormac Gahan is a Professor at the School of Microbiology, University College Cork (UCC), and a Principal Investigator at the APC Microbiome Institute. He holds editorial roles in journals like Journal of Pathogens and Microbiome . His research focuses on host-microbe interactions, microbial pathogenesis, and bacterial vaccine development. Prof. Gahan has published 167 peer-reviewed articles, with an h-index of 75 and over 19,000 citations. Education: PhD in Immunology and Microbiology from UCC (1996). Affiliations: APC Microbiome Institute, School of Pharmacy (UCC). Research Interests: Bile acid metabolism, bacterial pathogenesis (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes), live bacterial vaccine vectors, gut microbiota dynamics. His work bridges microbiology, immunology, and clinical therapeutics. Grants & Funding: Over €13.5M from SFI, EU, Health Research Board, and industry partnerships. Current grants include EU Horizon 2020 projects and APC Microbiome initiatives. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Bile Research Group and collaborates with institutions like Cork Cancer Research Centre and Teagasc. Directs the UREKA summer school program for microbiology training.
Dr. Rebecca Owens is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Maynooth University, affiliated with the Human Health Institute. She holds a BSc (Biotechnology) from Maynooth University (2008) and a PhD (2013), supported by an IRCSET Scholarship. Her postdoctoral research focused on fungal pathogen proteomics, particularly iron-limiting conditions and mass spectrometry methodologies. In 2017, she established the Chemical Microbiology laboratory, specializing in proteomic analyses of microbial species and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Her work bridges academia and industry, expanding into food technology and microbiology. Dr. Owens currently supervises 4 PhD students funded by DAFM and Teagasc. Her research interests include: proteomic responses to antifungals, fungal pathogen virulence, and mass spectrometry-based methods for analyzing microbial metabolites. She has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, including seminal work on fungal proteomics and gliotoxin biology. Dr. Owens serves on professional committees, including Treasurer of the Irish Fungal Society and Member of the Microbiology Society’s Irish Division. Her lab’s recent work explores zinc chelation by gliotoxin, HMO-primed bifidobacteria, and bovine colostrum proteomics.
Niall O'Leary is a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator in the School of Microbiology at University College Cork (UCC), with affiliations to the Environmental Research Institute and the SUSFERM biotechnology centre. His research focuses on microbial community ecology for wastewater treatment and circular economy solutions in the agri-food sector, alongside innovations in technology-enhanced education. He holds an MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2014) and has secured significant grants, including SFI funding for wastewater-based epidemiology and EPA support for dairy wastewater valorization. Education: BSc (Hons) Microbiology (1996), PhD Microbiology (2001) from UCC, followed by postdoctoral research. Advanced teaching qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma (2009) and MA in Teaching and Learning (2014). Research Interests: Microbial bioreactor systems, dairy/meat wastewater treatment, bioconversion to biodegradable plastics, and Lemna cultivation. Recent work includes SARS-CoV-2 wastewater epidemiology and precision fermentation via SUSFERM. Teaching innovations include VR simulations for molecular biology and 360° virtual industrial site visits. Notable Grants: SFI Rapid Response (€44,876), UniCov Study (€188,770), NEWTRIENTS (€650,000), and DAFF-funded projects on duckweed protein and dairy wastewater. Awards: DELTA National Award (2021), UCC President’s Teaching Excellence (2015). Active in outreach, including public workshops on plastic pollution and collaborations with secondary schools via VR biology tools.
Prof. Noel G McElvaney is Head of the School of Medicine and Professor of Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). He holds a medical degree from University College Dublin (1982). His research focuses on cystic fibrosis (CF), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), lung inflammation, and protease regulation. He has led translational research initiatives, including early clinical trials of therapies like Lomucin and AAT augmentation. In 2001, he founded the Alpha One Foundation of Ireland and established Europe’s first AATD detection program. Prof. McElvaney has secured extensive funding from organizations like HRB, SFI, and industry partners. His work bridges clinical practice and research, emphasizing gene therapy, lung defense mechanisms, and drug development. He has been awarded the HRB Impact Award (2021-2022) and holds leadership roles in medical councils and societies. His lab collaborations include Beaumont Hospital and global networks like the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration (EARCO). Research interests include: protease-antiprotease balance in lungs, bronchial epithelium signaling, innate immunity, and CF/AATD therapies. He has supervised multiple research projects and mentored students in areas like CF microbiota and estrogen effects. His recent grants fund studies on COPD microbiome diversity, circadian rhythms in lung disease, and longitudinal biomarker analyses in AATD.
Dr. Damien Brady is a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Sciences at South East Technological University (enviroCORE). He holds a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Ulster (1997) and has extensive postdoctoral experience, including work with Trinity College Dublin and a biotechnology startup. His research focuses on microbial pathogens in medical and veterinary contexts, with applied emphasis on antimicrobial agents and biomedical materials. Key areas include Cronobacter sakazakii, biofilm inhibition, and hydrogel-based therapies for wound healing and tissue regeneration. Brady has authored over 45 publications and 50 conference presentations. His work spans biotechnology applications, such as ethanol production using thermotolerant yeasts and antimicrobial composites for medical devices. He has supervised 11 PhD and 4 MSc students, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of researchers. Research trends in his articles highlight advancements in CAR-T cell therapy, biopharmaceutical production in E. coli systems, and the development of novel materials for medical applications. Brady also contributes to editorial roles, including the Editorial Board of Biotechnology Letters . His lab explores interdisciplinary challenges, such as biofilm control in food safety, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and innovative solutions for chronic conditions like anal fistulae. Collaborations extend to material science, dentistry, and surgical innovations, underscoring the applied nature of his work.
Dr. Hilary Browne is a Research Fellow at the School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork (UCC). He holds a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, with prior roles at the Wellcome Sanger Institute including Staff Scientist and Senior Staff Scientist. His research focuses on gut microbiota adaptations, particularly the role of bacterial spore formation in transmission and colonization. He leads a team using anaerobic microbiology, genomics, and metagenomics to study spore-forming bacteria's metabolic properties and genetic architecture. Dr. Browne's academic journey includes a BSc in Agricultural Science (UCD) and MSc in Biotechnology (UCC). He was awarded the Garnham Award for doctoral research in basic laboratory science. In 2023, he secured an ERC Starter Grant to establish his independent research group, advancing translational microbiome research. His research explores mechanisms enabling gut bacteria to survive host transitions, with implications for probiotic development and therapeutic delivery. Key areas include spore-mediated survival strategies, microbiome assembly in infants, and antibiotic resistance dynamics in human microbiota. Dr. Browne contributes to global health initiatives through collaborations like the CHAIN network, focusing on child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa using multi-omics approaches. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical applications, emphasizing the microbiome's role in health and disease.
Professor Cormac Taylor is a Full Professor at the School of Medicine, University College Dublin, where he leads a research group at the UCD Conway Institute. His research focuses on hypoxia-mediated transcriptional regulation in epithelial cells, with applications in chronic inflammatory diseases. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology from University College Dublin (1996) and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School. His research investigates: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathways Metabolic reprogramming during oxygen stress Epithelial cell responses to inflammatory stimuli Therapeutic targeting of hypoxia pathways in disease Host-microbe interactions in gastrointestinal inflammation Research outputs demonstrate consistent focus on hypoxia-mediated metabolic adaptation, with recent work exploring HIF's role in cancer, diabetes, and infection biology. Articles show advanced techniques in metabolomics, transcriptomics, and molecular pathway analysis. Awards & Honors: Elected to Royal Irish Academy (2013) - Highest Irish academic honor Nature Award for Mentoring in Science (2014) Takeda Distinguished Researcher Award (2016) - First non-US recipient Research Leadership: Maintained continuous funding from Science Foundation Ireland since 2002 with additional grants from Wellcome Trust and NIH. Successfully supervised 16 PhD students. Serves as Managing Editor of Frontiers in Biosciences and Editorial Board Member for American Journal of Physiology. Laboratory: Leads hypoxia research group at UCD Conway Institute investigating therapeutic targeting of hypoxia pathways in chronic inflammation and cancer.
Dr. SM Ashekuzzaman is an Assistant Lecturer and Researcher at Munster Technological University's Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, part of the Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group (SIRIG). He holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering & Technology from the University of Glasgow, alongside M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Environmental and Civil Engineering. His research focuses on advancing bioresource recovery, circular economy solutions, precision agriculture, and sustainable wastewater treatment processes. Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering & Technology (Water Pollution and Decontamination) M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering B.Sc. in Civil Engineering Research interests include green synthesis of bio-based materials, agronomic nutrient recycling, soil health improvement, and reducing environmental footprints through innovative fertilization strategies. He has secured grants from DANIDA, Santander, and Science Foundation Ireland, and contributed to EU-funded projects like Nutri2Cycle and Renu2Farm. Key achievements include developing novel groundwater quality indices and Fenton-based wastewater treatments. He serves on international conference committees (RAMIRAN, ManuREsource) and is a CIWEM RoI Branch Committee Member since 2019. His work spans over 12 years in interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing agro-industrial waste valorization and sustainable farming solutions.
Dr. Pauline Scanlan is a Lecturer in the School of Microbiology at University College Cork (UCC), leading the Scanlan Lab at the APC Microbiome Ireland research institute. Her research focuses on the ecology and evolution of the human gut microbiome, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacteria-phage coevolution, and protist diversity. She holds a Royal Society-Science Foundation Ireland University Research Fellowship and previously worked at the University of Oxford and Teagasc. Education : B.Sc. (Plant and Microbial Biotechnology), UCC, 2002 Ph.D. (Medicine), UCC, 2007 Research Interests : Dr. Scanlan investigates how gut microbiota evolve in response to antibiotics, biotic interactions, and environmental factors. Key areas include AMR evolution, phage-bacteria dynamics, Blastocystis prevalence, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associations. Articles : Her recent work highlights antibiotic impacts on gut microbiota stability, phage-bacteria coexistence mechanisms, and protist diversity in health. Themes include microbial adaptation, community resilience, and evolutionary trade-offs in the gut ecosystem. Awards : Royal Society-Science Foundation Ireland University Research Fellowship (2015) Marie Curie Intra-European Research Fellowship Grants & Labs : The Scanlan Lab explores microbiome evolution using in vitro models and longitudinal human cohort studies. Active projects include IBD-related research and microbial coevolutionary dynamics.
