UCD Research and Innovation
Professor Kate Robson Brown was appointed as UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact on 1 March 2024. Before her tenure at UCD, Professor Robson Brown began her career at the University of Cambridge, where she received her PhD in Human Phylogenetics at Newnham College, and then held a Research Fellowship at Downing College.
Dr Ciaran O’Beirne is the Manager, Technology Transfer and heads up the team responsible for identifying, protecting and commercialising intellectual property (IP) arising from UCD research projects either through licensing and/or new venture creation.
Stephen is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the environment area. He is responsible for fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property (IP) pipeline in this research space by supporting researchers at grant proposal stages and in drafting business plans and commercialisation roadmaps to ensure that the resulting IP is commercialised via licensing and/or start-up creation to achieve maximum strategic impact.
Tony is a Case Manager for Technology Transfer and is responsible for managing the
identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the ICT
research area.
Stacey is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the food, agriculture and veterinary research areas. She is responsible for fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property (IP) pipeline in the above research areas by supporting researchers at grant proposal stages and in drafting business plans and commercialisation roadmaps to ensure that the resulting IP is commercialised via licensing and/or start-up creation to achieve maximum strategic impact.
Hugh is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the physical sciences and engineering research areas. He is responsible for fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property (IP) pipeline in these research areas by supporting researchers at grant proposal stages and in drafting business plans and commercialisation roadmaps to ensure that the resulting IP is commercialised via licensing and/or start-up creation to achieve maximum strategic impact.
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Róisín is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the medical technology area. With over 30 years experience working in health and technology, 20 years of which were spent as a clinician in Ireland and overseas. Róisín has significant experience in medical technology innovation, supporting the commercialisation of medical technology across a range of clinical applications and technology types.
Ena is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the life sciences area.
She is responsible for the development and negotiation of licensing opportunities with industry. She plays a key role in fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property portfolio and high-tech spin-out companies from the University by supporting the business plan and commercialisation roadmap development by advising on how licensed University intellectual property can have a maximum strategic impact and by supporting fund-raising for early-stage ventures.
John provides administrative support to University College Dublin’s technology transfer team. He maintains the database of intellectual property, providing statistical information and attending to the supervision of patenting costs. John has many years of experience in office management and administration. Before joining University College Dublin he worked with Aer Lingus and has also worked in academic administration in UCD’s School of Public Health.
As Operations Manager Helen is the first point of contact for entrepreneurs and new ventures wishing to locate at NovaUCD, the University’s Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, or established companies wishing to locate at NexusUCD, the University’s Industry Partnership Centre. Helen works with the Office’s facilities team in managing the physical space in both centres ensuring the needs of clients are met. She also has responsibility for the key financial areas of the Office.
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As Facilities Manager Santiago supports the client companies based at NovaUCD and at NexusUCD ensuring their needs are met. He is responsible for the planning and management of the physical facilities of both of these centres. Santiago has years of experience in the facilities area. Prior to joining NovaUCD Santiago worked in the public and private sector and was previously Facilities Manager in UCD Estate Services with a focus on contract management, capital development and space management. Santiago graduated with a BA in Politics & Public Administration and a MA in International Relations from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Simon is responsible for the development and launch of New Ventures at University College Dublin and is the lead contact for Investors and Commercial Partners seeking to engage with UCD start ups. During the last 15-years, Simon has founded a number of successful companies in the digital media and analytics space and has extensive experience in the translation of research to market through start-ups, product development and licensing. As a managing director, Simon has engaged in commercial academic partnerships through national funding schemes and within larger EU consortia under FP7 programmes.
Caroline is responsible for providing and supporting a variety of innovation related education programmes and initiatives across the University which also includes outreach to second-level education. Programmes and initiatives offered include specialised training courses for graduate students, researchers, technology transfer professionals and senior executives and managers from industry. These programmes are designed to help develop professional skills in the management and commercial exploitation of technology and innovative concepts. Caroline also runs the annual TEDxUCD event, to help showcase the UCD community, staff, students and alumni.
Elizabeth is responsible for developing a professional and commercial managed consultancy service to facilitate access and support engagement between business, industry and University College Dublin. This includes facilitating and supporting UCD academics and professional staff to engage in consultancy with external clients. Elizabeth is an experienced business consultant who has worked for over 15 years in consultancy in Ireland. Elizabeth’s clients included large Irish and UK banks, life assurance companies and other financial service companies.
Gary Ryan is Director of AgTechUCD, based at the purpose-built AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. AgTechUCD works with early-stage startups and SMEs with innovative products and services in the AgTech, Agrifood, Veterinary and Equine sectors to develop concepts into commercially viable businesses. AgTechUCD delivers a suite of programmes and tailored supports for startups within its sectoral areas including innovation days, business incubator facilities and Agccelerator, a dedicated agtech accelerator programme.
Leo is Manager of the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre based at the UCD Lyons Research Farm in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Leo will be responsible for the performance and management of the Centre’s activities including events . Leo is an experienced agricultural research professional with an expertise in fostering relationships with farmers and other agricultural professionals within the industry. He has extensive experience in agricultural consultancy, delivering farmer training sessions, organising and managing research trials, and producing research communication and extension materials.
Edel has over 20 years of national and international cross sectoral experience spanning public, private and global consultancy sectors in Ireland, Europe, USA and Australia. She has a strong focus on regional development, building commercial and ecosystem partnerships, and developing tailored solutions to address unmet client and market needs, and is an alumna of the BioInnovate Ireland programme at University of Galway.
Micéal is responsible for communicating University College Dublin’s innovation mission, vision, objectives, activities and achievements to internal and external stakeholders using a variety of communication channels. He is responsible for managing NovaUCD’s press office and media relations activities which includes providing a PR service to client companies including UCD spin-out companies. Prior to joining University College Dublin Micéal worked for Shell plc as a petroleum engineer in the Netherlands and in the Sultanate of Oman. During this time he was a member and leader of multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams charged with the exploration and development of hydrocarbon fields in both offshore and onshore locations and as a member of a consultancy group whose objective was to provide Shell companies with strategic solutions to their complex technical, operational and investment problems.
Marian is the Engagement Executive at NovaUCD