Postgraduate Researchers

Aimee is a PhD student in the Department of Physics and Energy at the University of Limerick. She uses a number of methods, including Piezoresponse Force Microscopy, to study piezoelectricity (electromechanical coupling) in proteins. Before starting her doctoral studies, she graduated with a first class honours degree in Applied Physics. During her degree, she interned at 2M Engineering in The Netherlands, researching laser-based technologies. Apart from her research activities, Aimee has a keen interest in science communication as well as teaching and learning. In 2015, she won the Institute of Physics Rosse Medal Award for best communication of postgraduate research.

Mahendar joined as a PhD student in April 2012 and is working on “sub-diffractional infrared microscopy using solid immersion lens” with Dr. Christophe Silien. Before starting his PhD, he worked as an Optical Engineer in India on optical design of reflective and refractive optical elements for LED lighting applications for 4 years. He got his Masters M.Sc.(Tech.) in Photonics in 2008, from National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India and he graduated with BSc. In Maths, Physics and Chemistry in 2005, from Kakatiya University, India. His research interests are optical microscopy, optical metrology, optical design & computational optics, finite element modelling of optical materials, and image processing.

Kevin graduated from the University of Limerick in 2013 with a B.Sc. in Industrial Biochemistry and is currently in his final PhD year. His PhD thesis concerns the elucidation of the structure and function of truncated Cation Diffusion Facilitators (CDFs), integral membrane proteins, specifically from the marine bacteria Maricaulis maris. He is also currently interested in the structure and function of thermophilic enzymes from extremophiles and the biotechnological exploitation of these proteins. These thermophilic proteins include an aldehyde dehydrogenase and a fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase from the gram negative bacteria Thermus thermophilus.

Camelia studied Textile Engineering at “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, Iasi, Romania and proceeded to work in a fast environment which helped her gain expertise in diverse roles with companies throughout Europe. She moved to Ireland in 1998 and studied Software Development at LIT. Her professional experience is divided between design, manufacturing, software development and R&D consulting roles spanning multiple industries from fashion to medical devices. Camelia is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering at the University of Limerick. Her main research interests are in finite element analysis, experimental evaluation and fabrication of braided stents.

Kevin is a PhD student in the Department of Physics in the University of Limerick. He received his first class honours degree in Applied Physics from the University of Limerick in 2013. He is currently working as part of the MOSAIC group under the supervision of Dr. Christophe Silien and Dr. Tofail Syed on the development of a super-resolution Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (or CARS) microscope. He has also contributed to work on the design and testing of an infrared pump-probe microscope and tested methods solid immersion lens imaging during his PhD.

Mohamed is a PhD student with an extensive background in Computer Aided Engineering with 4 years of experience in diverse design/Analysis environments including excellent knowledge in Finite Element Modeling/Analysis. He received his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from University of Limerick in 2014 and his undergraduate degree in Automobile Engineering from Visveswaraya Technological University, India in 2009. His current project involves understanding materials and mechanical design criteria for fine needle access to sustain or enhance the ability to puncture and access lesions of different types of soft tissues and id funded by CÚRAM.

Sarah is a 2nd year PhD student, she started her PhD studies in September 2015 funded through the Science Foundation Ireland CÚRAM centre for research in medical devices. She graduated from the University of Limerick in August 2015 with a first class honours BSc in Applied Physics. Her research interests include quantum mechanical modelling (Density Functional Theory), piezoelectrics, electroactive organics, and biomaterials. She is a 2016 IOP Rosse Medal Finalist and a 2016 Thesis in 3 National Finalist.

Sarah is a 1st year PhD student funded through the Science Foundation Ireland CÚRAM centre for research in medical devices. She received her MSc in Biomedical Device Materials from University of Limerick in 2016 and her BSc in Physics and Mathematics from University of Limerick in 2015. Her research interests include novel biomedical instrumentation, physical properties of biomaterials and synthesis of bulk and thin film ceramics.

Grace is a 1st year PhD student funded by CÚRAM. She received a BSc in Applied Physics from University of Limerick in 2016. Her research interests include plasmonic enhancement, modelling, upconversion nanoparticles and photodynamic therapy. She is working under the supervision of Dr Christophe Silien and Dr Tofail Syed on an industry project with COOK medical and CÚRAM.

Luke is a 1st year PhD student completing an Enterprise Based Postgraduate programme at the University of Limerick sponsored by the Irish Research Council and Analog Devices. He graduated with a first class honours in B.Sc in Applied Physics from the University of Limerick in 2016. His PhD is based on material fabrication, magnetism and microelectronics. His research interests include material science, nanotechnology, biomedical applications and electronics.

Alan is a first-year PhD student funded by the Irish Research Council and he is co-supervised by Prof. Tewfik Soulimane and Dr. Denise Croker. He graduated with a BSc in Industrial Biochemistry in 2016 at the University of Limerick. His research involves growth optimisation of Thermus thermophilus at small and large scale, focusing on the production of recombinant caa3-cytochrome c oxidase. He is also designing, purifying and determining the crystal structure of caa3-cytochrome c oxidase mutants to ascertain the activity and dynamics of the protein.

Sally is a 1st year PhD student funded by CÚRAM under the joint supervision of Dr. Sarah Hudson and Prof. Tewfik Soulimane. She recently graduated with a BSc. in Industrial Biochemistry from the University of Limerick in 2016. Her research interests include developing minimally invasive devices for targeted DNA and protein drug delivery.

Miriama obtained a B.Sc. in Industrial Biochemistry from University of Limerick in 2015. After completion of her degree, she chose to earn some experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She previously held positions as QC Technical Chemist and QC Technician with Astellas Pharmaceuticals. Her current position involves work in a QC laboratory as Analyst for medical devices company COOK Medical. She will return to UL as a PhD candidate in January 2017 to pursue an industry based project under the supervision of Prof. Tewfik Soulimane in collaboration with COOK Medical. Languages: English, Polish, Czech and Slovak