My research can be divided into two core areas, Analytical Sciences and Photonics.  In the analytical sciences side we aim to develop new analytical methods for a wide variety of problems from biopharmaceutical manufacturing to oil exploration.  In the photonics research we focus on more fundamental studies of molecules and materials, and also on the building/modification of optical instrumentation.  In the long-term the photonics research feeds into the analytical research in terms of instrumentation and new measurement methodologies.  All of the research is a combination of chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Analytical Sciences:  The underlying goal is to produce novel analytical methods for the rapid, minimally invasive and inexpensive analysis of complex samples.  This covers everything from illicit narcotics, to cell culture media and on to crude petroleum oils.  The most important active projects at the moment are:

• Biopharmaceutical analysis:  Development of novel rapid, quantitative analytical methods for use in the BioPharma sector.  The primary methods to be employed are vibrational spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and chemometrics.  This was initially part of a collaborative project, the Centre for BioAnalytical Science (CBAS), with DCU and Bristol Myers-Squibb (2005-09) and has now been extended to projects with Janssen-JnJ-Centocor (2010-11, 13-present), Schering-Plough (2011-12), and Kaiser Optical Systems Inc. (2011-onwards).  These projects involves the study of all aspects of the biopharma production process from raw staring materials, to media, to process samples, and up to finished product.  The key spectroscopic techniques employed are Raman spectroscopy, Multi-dimensional fluorescence and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS).  A more recent collaboration with Kaiser Optical Systems Inc. is going to focus on implementing Raman methods for the characterisation of the complex materials used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Biomaterials:  This encompasses two different yet interlinked projects.  First, the development of fluorescence based methods for measuring surface and bulk polarity of polymers, which is also linked with studies to develop method for measuring drug elution rates from biomedical polymers (in conjunction with Y. Rotchev (NUIG), C. Elvira (Madrid), A Gorelov (UCD), and A. Klymchenko (Strasbourg)).  The second core project is the development of ultra-sensitive methods for measuring the deposition and the conformation of proteins on surfaces.  This project involves the use of advanced microscopy coupled with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. 
• Spectroscopy and Chemometrics:  Development of quantitative methods of analysis for pharmaceutical, forensic, and law enforcement applications.  Development of novel chemometric and machine learning methods for the analysis of Raman spectroscopic data.  Study of materials and microscopic fluid inclusions by Raman analysis.   
• Petroleum fluid and inclusions analysis:  Development of instrumentation and analysis methods for crude oil characterisation and quantification.  Study of the fundamental processes governing petroleum fluorescence.  Study of petroleum bearing fluid inclusions. 

Photonics:  This aspect of my research is a combination of fundamental research and instrumentation development and use.  It is in some ways closer to physics, but helps feed the analytical science research with new techniques and novel instrumentation

• Triazine Photophysics: This collaboration with Dr. J. Stephens of NUI Maynooth, looks at the fundamental photophysics of this novel class of fluorophores.  These dual band emitters have unique emission properties and are accessible via a facile synthetic route.  The research involves steady-state and time-resolved methodologies.  In the long-term we hope that this new fluorophore class will have many applications in sensing and protein labelling.
• Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy:   A second component of the research involves the application of advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques to measuring dynamic biological and chemical processes at surfaces, and in living cells.  The involves the use of methods such as Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy (FCCS), and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM).  This aspect of my research programme encompasses a wide range of collaborators (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Earth & Ocean Sciences etc.).
• Plasmonics:  Developing novel, highly sensitive, spectroscopic methods, for applications in the clinical and life sciences by the utilisation of the Metal Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) effects.  MEF is the observed increase in the quantum yield, and reduction in fluorescence lifetime, of weakly emitting fluorophores that are held in close proximity to noble metal surfaces that are roughened on the nanometre scale.  Specific aspects of the project involve the development of novel methods for fabricating nano-structured MEF substrates and the study of the physical and chemical factors influencing the emission behaviour of fluorophores on surfaces.  More recently we are studying SERS of complex mixtures.

In addition, to the core research projects outlined above, there are several concurrent interdisciplinary research projects with a variety of disparate departments in NUI-Galway and other Irish third level institutions. 

•     4th year lecture courses on:  Fluorescence spectroscopy and Fluorescence Microscopy.
•     3rd year lecture courses on:  Rotational and Vibrational spectroscopy, Quantum Chemistry, X-Ray Fluorescence.
•     2nd year lecture courses on:  Spectroscopy, Applied Spectroscopy, and Chemical Equilibrium.
•     Course director for CH205:  Analytical and Environmental Chemistry.
•     4th year undergraduate chemistry student research project supervision.
•     Chemistry laboratory supervision of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd undergraduate students.

Postgraduate Teaching:  Currently supervising eight PhD students:

1)        M. Kyne (2012 - , Chemistry), IRCSET scholar.  Novel triazine fluorophores.

2)        R. Gorza (2012 - , Chemistry), IRCSET scholar.  EEM & Chemometrics of complex mixtures.

3)        P. Zarski (2012 - , Chemistry), IRCSET scholar.  TIRF & protein/surface interactions.

4)        M. Zakarul (2011-, Chemistry), Bangladeshi Gov. Scholar:  Analysis of biomedical polymers.

5)        E. Houton (2010-, Chemistry): co-supervised with L.F. Jones.

6)        R. McCarthy (2008-present, Chemistry, part supervised with D. Leech):

7)        M. Hennigan (2008- 2012, Chemistry).  Comprehensive Polymorph Analysis. 
           (Now working for Merck, UK. )

8).       B. Kissane, (2006- present, Chemistry).  Developing novel analytical methods for the Biopharma industry. 
           (Now working for NBL on Industry funded research ).

1. A. Calvet (2009 - 2012, PhD. Chemistry).Thesis title: Multi-Dimensional Fluorescence Spectroscopy for quantitative cell culture media analysis. Graduated March 2013.  Now working on an EI funded project in the NBL.
   
2. D. O’Shaughnessy, (2007 - 2012, PhD. Chemistry).  Thesis title:  Spectroscopic studies of protein and polymer dynamics.  Graduated Nov. 2012. Now working on an Industry funded project in the NBL.
   
3. C. Morris, (2007-11, PhD. Chemistry).  Thesis title:  Development of fluorescence based methods for quantitative polymer analysis, graduated Mar. 2012.
4. C.Y. Chong, M.Sc. (2006-09, Chemistry).  Dissertation title:  Development of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Methods in the study of galactose, glucose, maltose and maltopentose.  awarded Nov. 2010.
5. R. Murray, (2004-10, Ph.D. Chemistry).  Thesis title:  Development of a wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope (WF-FLIM) system for Petro-Geological Analysis, graduated Oct. 2011.
6. P. Owens,(2006-10, Ph.D. Chemistry).  Thesis title:   Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Crude Petroleum Oils, graduated Nov. 2010.
7. J. Conroy, (2003-05, M.Sc.Chemistry).  Dissertation title:  Hazardous substance analysis using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics, awarded 2006.
8. M.-L. O’Connell, (2003-08, Ph.D. Chemistry).  Thesis title: Raman spectroscopy and Chemometrics: the quantitative study of a model system for illicit narcotic detection, graduated June 2009.
9. S. Cawley, (2002-05, M.Sc.Physics).  Dissertation title:  Quantitative surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using colloid-hydropolymer matrices, awarded 2006.
10. B. Szczupak, (2000-09, PhD. Physics).  Thesis title:  Evaluation of polarity and hydrogen bonding ability of thermoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide/N-tert-butylacrylamidecopolymer films using solvatochromic and fluorescence probes, graduated Nov. 2009.
11. M. Przyjalgowski, (2000-05, Ph.D. Physics).  Thesis title:  Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of petroleum oils and hydrocarbon bearing fluid inclusions (HCFI), graduated 2006.
12. E. Murray-Hayden, (2000-04, M.Sc. Geology).  Dissertation title:  The analysis of Crude Oils using Ultra-fast Fluorescence Lifetimes, awarded 2004.
13. S. Power, (1999-2002, Ph.D. Physics).  Thesis title:  Fluorescence Lifetime Based sensing for pH monitoring, graduated 2003.

Dr. Leigh F. Jones, School of Chemistry:  Spectroscopic analyses of inorganic complexes.  Joint PhD student.  [see publication list for more details].

Dr. Y. Rotchev, NCBES:  development of fluorescence based methods for the analysis of biomedical polymers, with emphasis of physiochemical measurements and drug elution profiles [see publication list for more details].

Dr. H.-P. Nasheuer, Dept. of Biochemistry:  Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) of biological systems.  [see publication list for more details].

Prof. P. Dockery, Dept. of Anatomy:  Studying the use of structured light illumination for fluid inclusion analysis.  Development of educational programme for a microscopy and imaging MSc.  [see publication list for more details].

Dr. John Stephens, Department of Chemistry, NUI, Maynooth:  Spectroscopic characterization of novel triazine fluorophores.  This has involved hosting one of his PhD students here in Galway for extended periods.

Dr. C. Elvira, Madrid:  We are studying polymers synthesized in his laboratories.

Prof. Luke A. Burke, Rutgers University, NJ, USA:  Modelling of triazine molecules in collaboration with J. Stephens, NUIM.

Dr. A.S. Klymchenko, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie et Physicochimie des interactions cellulaires et moleculaires, Faculte de Pharmacie, Universite Louis Pasteur, Illkirch, France:  Use of ESIPT fluorophores for the measurement of polymer polarity and other physio-chemical parameters. [see publication list for more details].

Dr. G. S. Papaefstathiou, Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry,  Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 157 71 Zogragfou, (Greece ).

Dr. Kirk Leister, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Syracuse, NY, USA:  Development of novel bio-analytical methods. [see publication list for more details].

Janssen-JnJ, Malvern, PA, USA:  Development of novel bio-analytical methods.