Our Team

Director of the Science Learning Centre

Claire O' Brien

MRes, PgDip, BSc(Hons), FHEA

Claire has been the Director of the Science Learning Centre (SLC) since May 2022. Her duties include the management of the SLC staff and directing various activities at the Centre.

Claire's research background is in the Biological Sciences. To see her research profile, follow her on ResearchGate. Claire's professional background includes four years of lecturing at various HE institutions across the UK, as well as three years experience as a learning technologist due to her interest in the growing use of technology in the education sector. To see her professional profile, follow her on LinkedIn.

Current SLC Tutors

Our SLC tutors are typically UL postgraduate students who are researching and teaching in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Engineering. They often have previously studied on the modules that we support as undergraduates themselves. They may work in the Drop-in or as support tutorials tutors or both. They are the SLC's most valuable resource.

You can either drop-in to the centre at our scheduled times or book a session with one of our experienced tutors via our SULIS Site.

Please note: Students cannot request to meet a tutor outside the SLC. Any such queries should be sent to slc@ul.ie.

Pavan Rao

Ciara Leahy

Harsh Barua

Kelly Murphy

Subject Specialism: Engineering

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments

About Pavan: "I am a 3^rd year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering working on metals used in offshore pipelines and powerplants. I have also previously worked on composite materials from a mechanical/material characterisation perspective."

Subject Specialism: Chemistry, Biology

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments

About Ciara: "I am a 3^rd year PhD student studying the role of the Epstein-Barr virus in various cancers. I previously studied Industrial Biochemistry at UL and hence have experience in areas relating to biology, chemistry and science maths."

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Harsh: "I am a second-year PhD student in the Department of Chemical Sciences. I am a pharmacist with a master's degree in pharmaceutics. My current research focuses on the crystallisation pathway for pharmaceutical molecules."

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre

About Kelly: "I am a 2^nd year PhD researcher in the field of electrochemistry and material science in the Bernal Institute, here in UL. My area of research is focused on synthesising and optimising materials for their use as an anode in sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries."

Hasan Khalid

Clíona McCarthy

Niraj Patil

Simin Arshi

Subject Specialism: Engineering, Physics

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Hasan: "I am pursuing my PhD in numerical modelling of laminated composite structures from School of Engineering. With a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and specialisation in Machine Design, I have a good knowledge and fair experience in providing assistance with subjects like mechanics, dynamics, engineering maths, solid mechanics, vibration and other related modules."

Subject Specialism: Engineering, Biology

Available for: Support Tutorials, Online 1-1 Appointments

About Clíona: "I am a 3rd year PhD student in the School of Engineering. I have a BSc in Children’s and General Nursing and a BEng in Biomedical Engineering. My current research focuses on the microenvironment mechanics of tumour tissue, specifically colorectal cancer."

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments

About Niraj: "I am a second-year PhD student. I have completed my Masters's degree in chemical sciences with specialization in material chemistry. Currently, I am working on the colloidal synthesis of nanocrystals and their application in energy storage."

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Simin: "I am a 3rd year PhD student studying bioelechtrochemistry. I previously studied chemistry in batcher and analytical chemistry in the master. Therefore, I have strong experience in areas relating to chemistry (Analytical chemistry, Organic chemistry, Physical chemistry, and inorganic chemistry)."

Githin Zachariah

Alice Parkes

Nathan Bourke

Sakshi Hans

Subject Specialism: Chemical engineering, Fluid mechanics

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre, Support Tutorials

About Githin: "I am a third year PhD student at Bernal Insititute. I completed my master's in chemical engineering from TU Delft, Netherlands, with specialization in transport phenomena and fluid dynamics."

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments

About Alice: "I am a 2^nd year PhD student in the department of Chemical Sciences. I graduated from Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry at UL. My current project work focuses on pharmaceutical processing and aims to advance the development of fixed-dose combination drugs using continuous methods of manufacture."

Subject Specialism: Biology

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre

About Nathan: "I am a first year PhD student studying the optimization of constructed wetlands for treating metal contaminated water. I completed my undergraduate degree in UCD studying Zoology and Plant Biology and have spent the last two years working as a Teaching Assistant with the Department of Biological Sciences here in UL."

Subject Specialism: Biology

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre

About Sakshi: "I am a second year PhD student in Biological Sciences. My current research focuses on understanding the pro-inflammatory signalling pathways of the PAF receptor and its interaction with polar lipids. I also hold a Master's degree in Cell Biology and Genetics, and thus am well-equipped to tutor in various aspects of biology."

Janelle Stanton

Vidit Tiwari

Manna Abubaker

Pedram Vousoughi

Subject Specialism: Biology

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre

About Janelle: "I am a 2nd year PhD student studying the role of zinc on inflammation and the gut microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder. I previously studied Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology in UCC and hence have experience in areas relating to Biology."

Subject Specialism: Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Physics

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre, Support Tutorials

About Vidit: "I am a 2^nd year PhD student in the Department of Chemical Sciences. I am a chemical engineer with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. My current work at UL focuses on harnessing hydrodynamic cavitation to manufacture desired-quality pharmaceutical crystals."

Subject Specialism: Engineering, Biology

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre.

About Manna: "I am a 2^nd year PhD student studying the effect of flow on different brain cells. I previously studied Biomedical Engineering at UL and have experience in areas relating to biology and mechanics."

Subject Specialism: Chemical Engineering

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre.

About Pedram: "I am pursuing my PhD in computational modelling of corrosion phenomena on surfaces in the department of chemical sciences. I got my bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical (process) engineering, and I have knowledge and experience in providing assistance with process engineering major subjects such as fluid dynamics, heat transfer and other subjects such as physics and other related modules."

Vaishnavi Honavar

Subject Specialism: Chemical Engineering, Process Technology

Available for: Online 1-1 Appointments, Drop-in Centre, Support Tutorials

About Vaishnavi: "I am a 2^nd year PhD student working on the anti-solvent crystallization of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) using fluidic. I completed my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, India."

Antony Youseff

Subject Specialism: Physics, Engineering

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Antony: "I am 2^nd year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering. My main research interest is mathematical modelling and finite element analysis. I have developed finite element code using MATLAB for simulating a physics process of argon dielectric barrier discharge during my FYP at Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Department, Alexandria University. Currently, I am working on developing finite element-based simulations for studying the steel deformation at sever conditions of stress and temperature."

Laura Foley

Subject Specialism: Chemistry, Biology

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments

About Laura: "I am a 2^nd Year PhD student at the Bernal Institute in the Chemical Sciences Department. I completed my undergraduate in Industrial Biochemistry here in UL. My project focus is on processing biopharmaceuticals to develop therapeutic hybrids through continuous manufacturing methods."

Dinesh Barnana

Subject Specialism: Physics, Engineering

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Dinesh: "I am currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in the Department of Physics. I have solid research and educational background, having earned a master's degree in Material Science and a B.Tech in Metallurgy. I have expertise in teaching Physics and Engineering, specifically Crystal Structures, Phase Diagrams, XRD, SEM, Raman & UV-Vis spectra, FTIR, TGA, and TEM. Dielectrics, ceramic coatings, and semiconductors are among my research interests. To see my profession profile and updates, follow me on LinkedIn here"

Enrico Spoletti

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Support Tutorials

About Enrico: "I am a second year PhD student in the Department of Chemical Sciences at Bernal Institute. I have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry of materials and a master’s in bio-organic chemistry. My current research focuses on the crystal engineering of pharmaceutical and optoelectronic solid solutions."

Niamh Hickey

Subject Specialism:Physics, Physical Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Niamh: "I’m a 4^th Year in BSc Applied Physics in UL. My final year project is “Predicting the Properties of Pharmaceutical Materials”, a computational physics project under Dr. Sarah Guerin. I plan on staying on in UL and pursuing a PhD in the same subject area. I have experience in areas such as general physics, thermal physics, computational physics, atomic/modern physics and general/physical chemistry."

Rebecca Forde

Subject Specialism:Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre

About Rebecca: "I am a 3rd year PhD researcher in battery research/electrochemistry in the Bernal Institute. My research consists of preparation and optimisation of battery materials for metal-sulfur and lithium-ion chemistries. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry in UL."

Ellen Kennedy

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Ellen: "I am a 1^st year PhD student in the Chemical Sciences Department. My research focuses on the synthesis of a customised hydrogel to support the development of an in-vitro intestinal model. I completed my BSc in Industrial Biochemistry here in UL, and then completed my MSc in Biotechnology in UCC."

Isabel Andersson

Subject Specialism: Chemical Engineering, Biology

Available for: Drop-in Centre

About Isabel: "I am a 1^st year PhD student with a MSc in Engineering from Lund, Sweden. I have specialised in biotechnology and have experiences within biotechnological and chemical process engineering. In my PhD project I am working on characterisation of the male reproductive system for the generation of accurate preclinical models and am focusing mainly on mechanical, biophysical and transport properties."

David O' Brien

Subject Specialism: Physics

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Support Tutorials

About David: "I am a 2^nd year PhD student in the Department of Physics UL, and my research focuses on using machine learning to improve the resolution in optical microscopy. I also completed my BSc in Applied Physics at UL."

Kyriaki Koupepidou

Subject Specialism: Chemistry

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Online 1-1 Appointments, Support Tutorials

About Kyriaki: "I am a 3^rd year PhD student in the department of Chemical Sciences. My current research focuses on developing new materials to tackle pressing environmental challenges. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry and hence have experience in areas relating to chemistry, as well as basic physics, engineering and mathematics involved in chemistry"

Ayman Hijazi

Subject Specialism: Chemical Engineering, Process Technology

Available for: Drop-in Centre, Support Tutorials

About Ayman: "I am currently a 4th year PhD student in the Bernal Institute researching the fields of catalysis engineering, chemical sciences and biomass processes. My research focuses on developing novel heterogeneous catalysts for biomass hydrolysis processes along with developing robust analytical methods for analysing organic acids and furans products. I previously completed a MSc and BSc in Chemical Engineering and also have previous professional experience as a Process Technician."

Becoming an SLC Tutor

Currently the SLC employs postgraduate students to tutor peers and undergraduates specifically in the fields of Physics, Engineering, Biology and Chemistry. Click here to see an overview of the role of an SLC Tutor.

Postgraduate students who can demonstrate a high degree of academic competence in their particular discipline are invited to email the SLC at slc@ul.ie with:

1. a CV

2. a brief cover letter

3. at least one academic reference

We will be in touch in due course regarding your application.