My research interests lie in carbon cycling in soils, sediments and water. We study carbon in different natural forms and investigate how it cycles between phases (in air, soil and water). I have been lucky enough to be involved when we were having fun and followed our curiosity, not necessarily sticking to deadlines and box ticking.

Nowadays, it is hard not to be motivated with the climate change cloud hanging over us. That said, the natural world around us is an environmental scientist’s playground and we are privileged to be able to study it.

I’m a lecturer because I caught the research bug. Having worked in many other jobs, I  encountered the world of research at the age of 28 and then did all I could to be involved in research for the rest of my professional career.

Uncovering the universe’s mysteries
From an environmental science point of view, we know very, very little. We don’t understand the contents of soil and water and how they work together. Analytical instruments do not come close yet to understanding the chemistry and biology of soil.

The universe is still a mystery and we do not understand and cannot characterise the 99% of materials and energy that we know of. Therefore, there is a good argument that an environmental scientist should be humble. Everything after that is a bonus!

Dr Brian Kelleher is Programme chair, BSc in Environmental Science and Technology, in the School of Chemical Sciences at Dublin City University. 

In 2023, I joined the ProspecTER team as a PhD student in Atlantic Technological University Sligo, under the supervision of Dr Shane O’Reilly. This project is in partnership with Dublin City University and Dr Brian Kelleher, under the Science Foundation Ireland Frontiers for Partnership Programme.

I am originally from Galway. I studied Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences with Trinity College Dublin. I thoroughly enjoy chemistry and have a particular interest in natural sources of products, including medicines. Education is very important to me and I am very happy to be returning to an educational environment with ATU Sligo. 

Joining the ProspecTER project is an exciting new opportunity for me. It is giving me the opportunity to develop my skills in natural product chemistry. I am glad of the chance to move into this area, building on the experience from my pharmacy degree. There are many exciting new developments in the area of natural products. Marine research, in particular, allows us to gain an understanding of this dynamic environment, which is so important to all of our lives. 

With this research, I hope to learn more about the marine world, and how we can look to it as a source of value and understanding. In this way, I hope to bring about positive change, while learning myself in the process. 

I am a Ph.D. student at Technological University Dublin, Ireland. My research interests are the biosynthetic and bioprospecting potential of terpenoids in marine microorganisms and invertebrates in Irish waters. Microbial metagenomics approaches will be introduced to enhance the possibility of exploring novel natural products for commercial use. 

Ranging from 2010 to 2014, I have completed my Bachelor of science in Shanghai Ocean University and studied biological technology (Marine biopharmaceutical). During my Master of Science, I was dedicated to the chemical and biological diversity of secondary metabolites from Polar marine Fungi, at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Second Military Medical University from September 2014 to September 2017.  

Outside of study and public engagement, I enjoy traveling, playing tennis and other competitive sports such as Formula 1, snooker etc.