Biography
Education
1990 – 1993, Postdoctoral Fellow with John Brown FRS, University of Oxford
1986 – 1990, PhD with Prof. D. M. X. Donnelly, Sir D. H. R. Barton and Dr J.-P. Finet, University College Dublin
1982 – 1986, BSc (Hons) Chemistry, University College Dublin
Academic Positions
2006 – present, Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, University College Dublin
2004 – 2006, Associate Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, University College Dublin
2002 – 2004, Senior Lecturer, University College Dublin
1993 – 2002, College Lecturer, University College Dublin
1992 – 1993, College Lecturer in Chemistry, St. Hugh’s College Oxford
1991 – 1992, Tutorial Fellow in Chemistry, Wadham College Oxford
Administrative and Leadership Positions
2023 – present, President of the Royal Irish Academy
2022 – present, President of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland
2022 – present, President of the Division of Organic Chemistry of the European Chemical Society
2019 – 2021, Vice-President of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland
2017 – present, Co-PI and Platform Co-Leader of the SFI Research Centre BiOrbic, University College Dublin
2015 – 2017, President of the European Symposium on Organic Chemistry Scientific Committee
2016 – 2020, Science Secretary of the Royal Irish Academy
2014 – present, Vice-Chair of the Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences, Royal Irish Academy
2013 – present, Co-PI and Strand Leader of the SFI Research Centre Synthesis & Solids Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), University College Dublin
2012 – 2014, Chair of the Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences Committee, Royal Irish Academy
2010 – 2012, Vice-Chair of the Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences Committee, Royal Irish Academy
2011 – 2014, Head of School of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, University College Dublin
2009 – 2011, Deputy Head of School of Chemistry & Chemical Biology and Director of Research and Innovation, University College Dublin
2011 – 2012, Acting President, International Lawn Tennis Club of Ireland
2010 – 2012, Tennis Captain, International Lawn Tennis Club of Ireland
2010 – present, Director of the Board of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
2008 – 2012, Director of the National Graduate Enhancement in (Bio)pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences (PRTLI 4), University College Dublin
2007, Chairman of the 15th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, University College Dublin
2007 – present, Member of the University Committee on Academic Appointments, Tenure & Promotions (UCAATP), University College Dublin
2004 – 2006, Director of the Conway Institute for Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin
2004 – present, Member of the Anti-Doping Committee, Irish Sports Council
2002 – present, Director of the Centre for Synthesis & Chemical Biology (CSCB), University College Dublin
1998 – present, Judge (1998 -), Head Judge (2010 -), Young Scientist Exhibition
1996 – present, President of UCD Student Tennis Club, University College Dublin
1995 – 2004, Member and Chairman (2002 – 4) of the University Teaching Committee, University College Dublin
Honours and Awards
2024, Awarded the Founder’s Medal by the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
2019 – 2023, Elected member of Professorial Panel, UCD Governing Authority
2013, Awarded the Boyle-Higgins Medal by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland
2012, Elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy
2012 – present, Elected to the Senate of the National University of Ireland
2012 – 2017, Elected to the Scientific Committee of the European Symposium on Organic Chemistry as UK/Ire representative (President of Committee 2015-17)
2012, Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
2011 – 2019, Elected by the UCD Professoriate to the UCD Governing Authority
2005 – 2014, Irish representative on the COST Domain Committee for Chemistry, Molecular Sciences & Technology (CMST)