I have transitioned to my busy academic role in the Faculty of Science and Health (inaugural Director of the Bioscience Research Institute at TUS since 2010). I am an award winning academic specialising in the fields of microbiology, sterilization science, disease prevention, food safety/security, sustainability and public policy. I spent 30+ years leading projects to address societal challenges ranging from safer device devices to demonstration site at scale for bioeconomy.

I have led and enabled social enterprise/outreach introducing STEM to schools. I have dedicated my career to helping and mentoring academics, clinicians and industry. I have supervised 43 PhDs, 16 Postdocs, 8 Research Fellows. I hold an Adjunct Professorship to School of Medicine, Nursing and Health at University of Galway (UoG), Hon. Professorship to School of Nursing and Public Health at University KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Recently appointed by UN as scientific member of Panel for effects of nuclear war (2025 to 2027). My Higher DSc thesis was awarded at University of Strathclyde.

I evaluate for European Innovation Council (Pathfinder Fund for high risk/high gain deep tech), and evaluate for Professorial Chair Appointments at University Malaya, Malaysia. I hold a PI role in CURAM Medical Device Research Centre in Ireland. I appeared on 2025 Stanford’s list of Top 2% Scientists globally; on 2025 ScholarGPS in top 0.04% as ‘Highly Ranked Scholar’ globally; and ‘Top Cited Scientist 2025’ on Sciprofiles MDPI. I hold No. 1 position for decontamination globally. I was Senior Lectureship at Strathclyde University with top of scale 5* researcher ranking (UK RAE).

I am developing sustainable food ecosystems, including first €5M commercial bioeconomy demonstration IMTA (aquaculture) site at scale using peatlands for EU just transition & DAFM. I established “Empower Eco”, a multi-actor HUB for developing Green Innovations. Ongoing grants include Interreg, Erasmus and several MSCA projects for mobility/training. I’ve helped review 18K ideas from communities for Research Ireland’s ‘Creating Our Future’. Appointed by Irish government onto National Science Advice Forum (NSAF) and onto Scientific Committee of Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). I generated ca €40M+ in research funding.

My research is cited 12,300 times [H factor 57] in Journals and 77 times in strategic policies. Editorial Board of Science of Total Environment; Sustainability, Foods. Soccer scholarship at UoG 🥰