SCHOOL OF
Chemistry
Research Highlights Prof Mathias Senge was recently awarded ‘Polythea’ European Joint Doctorate. This the first joint doctorate programme to have been awarded to Trinity under the Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Innovative Training Network programme. The network of 7 universities, 4 industrial partners and 1 research institute across Europe, led by Université de Limoges in France, will train 10 young researchers in the field of photodynamic treatments over the next 4 years.
Some of our new postgraduate class, who have joined the research community at the School of Chemistry this year with Prof. Donall Mac Donaill, Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning
The School continues to attract major national and European funding to support the cutting-edge research being performed by our outstanding researchers. Some examples of recent successes are highlighted here. Congratulations to Prof Richard Hobbs and Prof Aidan McDonald, who are recipients of prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowships in 2017. The University Research Fellowship programme, which is
co-funded by Science Foundation Ireland, is for outstanding early career scientists, who have the potential to become leaders in their chosen fields. Prof Hobbs received the award for his work on ‘Engineering energy transfer on the nanoscale at plasmonic surfaces’ while Prof McDonald’s research focuses on the chemistry of synthetic compounds that allow us to understand metal-containing enzymes that play a pivotal role in human health.
Congratulations to Dr Parvaneh Mokarian who is coordinating a major E.U. project valued at €8.2m to pioneer the mass production of anti-reflective, scratch and abrasion resistant surfaces. Dr Parvaneh Mokarian was recently awarded a Trinity Innovation Award by Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast, in the “One-2-watch” category for her innovation research and entrepreneurship. Congratulations to Dr Alessandro Iannaci who has been awarded a Marie SkłodowskaCurie actions Individual Fellowship for his project entitled “Biotic and abiotic functionalysed electrodes for Microbial Fuel Cells”. Dr Iannaci will carry out his project under the mentorship of Prof Paula Colavita.
Retirements in the School of Chemistry The School of Chemistry had two notable retirements to the team in 2017, Prof Michael Bridge and Dorothy Delahunty. Prof Michael Bridge completed his B.A. in Chemistry at Hertford College in Oxford, and a Ph.D. in surface science at Kings College Cambridge. He was first appointed as a lecturer to the School of Chemistry in 1979. His research portfolio has included topics such as material characterization, surface science, thin film deposition and kinetics and has included both national and international collaborators. He has served as the School’s Safety Officer, International Coordinator and most recently as the School’s Director of Undergraduate Teaching and Learning. He has also made a notable contribution to the college during his
time as a college tutor, as well his work on the Salter’s Institute Festival and the School’s service teaching for Fresher Engineering. The postgraduate community will undoubtedly remember his questionable refereeing skills during the annual Keeley Cup soccer tournament, while other Emeritus staff have fond memories of his notable fact checking. Dorothy Delahunty joined the School of Chemistry in 1998 as a term time assistant. She became a laboratory assistant in 2002 and will be remembered by many students and staff as an integral part of the Cocker Lab family! We wish to thank both Michael and Dorothy for their years of service to the School and wish them both the best of luck and health in the coming years.
Prof. Michael Bridge who, along with Dorothy Delahunty, retired from the School of Chemistry earlier in the year
7