
Directors of the Science Learning Centre

Director 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. 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.

Academic Director of the Science Learning Centre
Dr. Audrey O' Grady - Dept. of Biological Sciences
Dr. Audrey O' Grady is a lecturer in Biology and Science Education at the University of Limerick since 2010. Her research expertise are in the fields of Science Education and Ecology (particularly Ant Ecology).
Audrey commenced in the role of Academic Director in September 2022. Her duties include the facilitation of collaborative efforts between academic faculties and the Science Learning Centre, promoting Science Learning Centre support services to UL students, and recruitment of tutors.
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.
Becoming an SLC Tutor
David O' Brien

About David: "I am a 3rd 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."
Maryam Tahertalari

About Maryam: "I am currenctly pursuing my PhD in Chemistry in Bernal Institute at UL. My current research focuses on developing new efficient materials as anode for Li Metal Batteries. I have a Bachelor in Thin Film Physics and a Master degree in Engineering Physics. Based on my background and also current degree studies I have experience in Physics as well as basic Chemistry."
Dinesh Barnana

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."
Niamh Hickey

About Niamh: "I am currently pursuing a PhD in Computational Physics through the SSPC at the Bernal Institute in UL. My research focuses on simulating and modelling pharmaceutical materials through quantum mechanics and molecular modelling. I recently completed a BSc in Applied Physics at UL as well. I have experience in computational, general, atomic and thermal physics, as well as general and physical chemistry. "
Pavan Rao

About Pavan: "I am a 4th year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering looking into deformation mechanisms in metals used in conventional powerplants. My expertise is in engineering statics/mechanics, dynamics and physics. Electron microscopy and micro-mechanics are my research interests."
Geetu Kumari

About Geetu: "I am a 1st year PhD student in the Department of Physics. Currently, my research involves computational investigation. I'm utilizing high-throughput Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to assess numerous existing biomolecular crystals with the aim of identifying those exhibiting strong piezoelectric properties. I have a Master’s Degree in Physics. "
Pedram Vousoughi

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."
Tara Ryan

About Tara: "I am a first year PhD student in the Department of Physics. I have a MSc in Biomedical Device Materials and a BSc in Physics and Chemistry Education. My current research focuses on component interfacing and characterisation of polycrystalline amino acids for piezoelectric device development."
Vidit Tiwari

About Vidit: "I am a 3rd 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."
Kristine O' Dwyer

About Kristine: "I am a 1st year PhD student in the Department of Physics. My current research is experimental involving the poling of piezoelectric material and the consequent measurement of contact angles post polarisation. My undergraduate degree is in Medical Technology which I obtained from the Technological University of the Shannon Midwest."
Pavan Rao

About Pavan: "I am a 4th year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering looking into deformation mechanisms in metals used in conventional powerplants. My expertise is in engineering statics/mechanics, dynamics and physics. Electron microscopy and micro-mechanics are my research interests."
Cliona McCarthy

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."
Githin Zachariah

About Githin: "I am a 4th year PhD student at Bernal Institute. I completed my master's in chemical engineering from TU Delft, Netherlands, with specialization in transport phenomena and fluid dynamics."
Vidit Tiwari

About Vidit: "I am a 3rd 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."
Dinesh Barnana

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."
Muhammad Memon

About Muhammad: "I am a 1st year PhD student at the Dep of Physics studying design and simulation of biomolecular piezoelectric arrays and developing a Piezoelectric tile for energy harvesting at macro level. I hold a BSc in Electrical Engineering, and a MSc with a focus on Artificial Intelligence. As such, I have a strong background in Electrical Engineering and Physics."
Manna Abubaker

About Manna: "I am a 2nd 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."
Muhammad Muddasar

About Muhammad: "I am a 2nd year PhD student in the School of Engineering. I hold a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and a MSc Degree in Energy Systems Engineering, both of which were conferred with gold medals. My research interests encompass sustainable materials, energy storage, bioenergy, and biofuels."
Frederick Crowley

About Frederick: "I am a 1st year PhD student studying the surface characterisation of medical devices to fight infection and increase the sustainability of ‘smart implants’. I previously studied Biomedical Engineering at UL and have experience in the areas of Engineering Science, Mechanics and Biology."
Ciara Leahy

About Ciara: "I am a 4th 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."
Harsh Barua

About Harsh: "I am a 3rd 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."
Kelly Murphy

About Kelly: "I am a 3rd 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."
Niraj Patil

About Niraj: "I am a 3rd 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."
Simin Arshi

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)."
Alice Parkes

About Alice: "I am a 2nd 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."
Enrico Spoletti

About Enrico: "I am a 3rd 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."
Rebecca Forde

About Rebecca: "I am a 4th 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

About Ellen: "I am a 2nd 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."
Manoj Palabathuni

About Manoj: "I am a 1st year PhD student in the Department of Chemical Sciences. I’m a material chemist with a Master’s Degree in Nanotechnology. Presently, I am working on Transition Metal Dichalcogenide materials for green energy conversions."
Kyriaki Koupepidou

About Kyriaki: "I am a 3rd 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"
Process Technology/Chemical Engineering Tutors
Vaishnavi Honavar

About Vaishnavi: "I am a 3rd 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."
Vidit Tiwari

About Vidit: "I am a 3rd 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."
Isabel Andersson

About Isabel: "I am a 2nd 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."
Pedram Vousoughi

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."
Githin Zachariah

About Githin: "I am a 4th year PhD student at Bernal Institute. I completed my master's in chemical engineering from TU Delft, Netherlands, with specialization in transport phenomena and fluid dynamics."
Paul Tasker

About Paul: "I am a 2nd year PhD student studying water purification via application of novel adsorbent materials. I graduated with BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry, and I am in possession of an exceptional understanding of all aspects of chemistry, ranging from organic and inorganic synthesis, physical modelling, process scale-up and troubleshooting, and analytical methods and applications. I have also have experience in 1-1 private tutoring and lab demonstration in Process Technology."
Manna Abubaker

About Manna: "I am a 2nd 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."
Jishnu Padacherri

About Jishnu: "I am a 2nd year PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering at the Bernal Institute. My research is on merging molecular biology and biomedical engineering, via microfluidic chip development to utilise as a disease progression model. I specialise in molecular biology, cell biology and essential microbiology. I hold a Master’s degree in molecular biology and human genetics, and have prior experience as a research assistant in cancer epigenetics."
Laura Foley

About Laura: "I am a 3rd 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."
Sakshi Hans

About Sakshi: "I am a 3rd 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

About Janelle: "I am a 3rd 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."
Nathan Bourke

About Nathan: "I am a 2nd 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."