Meet the Council

Chairperson: Liam McCarton is a Chartered Civil Engineer and lecturer in TU Dublin, leading the Development Technology in the Community Research Group. He previously worked in International Development managing major infrastructure projects in Ireland, Africa, South America and Asia. His current research focus is integrating Nature Based Solutions for resilient cities and communities, and is a member of the NatureWat (EIP) and Water in Industry and Green Infrastructure (WSSTP) working groups. Liam has co-authored on a Springer book ‘A Technology Portfolio of Nature Based Solutions for Innovations in Water Management’. He is also a Director of Engineers Without Borders Ireland and leads their Innovation Academy and Development Education programs. (Email)

Vice-Chairperson: Dr. Niamh Power is a Lecturer in Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, in Munster Technological University. After her Civil & Structural Engineering degree, she was awarded the Irish Research Scholarship to pursue her PhD in the area of biogas. Niamh is an active member of the Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group at MTU. She is involved in EU funded projects including Phos4You and ReNu2Farm. Her research interests include biogas, anaerobic digestion, renewable energy from wastes & crops, transport & CHP, LCA and policies & drivers for change. (Email)

Secretary: Dr Philip Shine is a researcher in the MeSSO research group in Munster Technological University, Cork Institute of Technology, having previously received an honours degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering from CIT. His work focuses on predicting energy and water consumption in the Irish dairy industry, but he has wider research interests in future smart grid technologies and decision support tools/models for reducing the environmental impact of agricultural activities. He is a STEM Ambassador, and co-developed the Dairy Energy Decision Support Tool. (Email)

Honorary Treasurer: Dr. Niamh Power is a Lecturer in Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, in Munster Technological University. After her Civil & Structural Engineering degree, she was awarded the Irish Research Scholarship to pursue her PhD in the area of biogas. Niamh is an active member of the Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group at MTU. She is involved in EU funded projects including Phos4You and ReNu2Farm. Her research interests include biogas, anaerobic digestion, renewable energy from wastes & crops, transport & CHP, LCA and policies & drivers for change. (Email)

Honorary Editor: Dr. Caroline Wynne is an environmental scientist with a PhD in aquatic ecology. She is a Senior Aquatic consultant with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), having previously works for as a Senior Ecologist for RPS Group Ltd. She has expertise in Water Framework Directive assessment methods for lakes and rivers. Her research interests are applied in nature and have led to international collaborations through a Fulbright Scholar award. She tweets about her freshwater science work. (Email)

Communications Officer: Dr. John Gallagher is Assistant Professor in Energy & Environmental Systems Modelling in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin. His research interests lie in delivering innovative solutions to current environmental and energy challenges, and adopting a circular economy approach in the life cycle of measurement, modelling and mitigation. He's currently Co-I on several European projects, and is actively involved in research dissemination, outreach and doctoral education. (Email)

Postgraduate Representative: Seán O’Connor is a PhD Researcher funded by the EU INTERREG VI Renewable Engine Research Project at the Institute of Technology Sligo. His research involves collaborating with several public and private organisations to evaluate the current status of small-scale anaerobic digestion and to implement relevant improvement strategies and technologies. Seán’s educational background includes a BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering from Cork Institute of Technology and an MBS in International Entrepreneurship Management from University of Limerick. His research interests include Environmental Science, Bioenergy, and Energy Engineering. (Email)

Regular Members

Environ 2021 Co-Convenor: Dr. Jean O’Dwyer is a Lecturer of Environmental Science in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences as a Lecturer at Univesrity College Cork. Jean isa PI in the Environmental Research Institute and leads the Environment and Health research lab, which is involved with several nationally funded projects ranging from the epidemiology of infectious disease to antimicrobial resistant bacteria in drinking water. Jean is an active science communicator, and is currently the organiser of Soapbox Science Cork and runs ‘The Earth Story’ an award winning science education blog.

Dr. Thomae Kakouli-Duarte is a founding member and Research Leader of EnviroCORE at ITCarlow. Before joining ITC, she received her PhD from the University of Reading and worked at NUIM. Thomae has become an international expert in environmental nematology, leading on the landmark publication "Nematodes as Environmental Indicators”. She’s coordinated a COST Action submission in the area, and steered several Association of Applied Biologists congresses.

Dr. Tom Curran is a lecturer and co-ordinator of the MSc Environmental Technology at University Colleg Dublin and sits in the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, having previously worked in production and environmental management in the food industry. His research interests includes measurement, abatement and dispersion modelling of odour and gases from agrifood and waste, fat, oil and grease (FOG) waste and sustainable water management. He served as Chair of the ESAI from 2014-16.

Dr. Frances Lucy is Head of Department of Environmental Science at the Institute of Technology, Sligo. She is Director of CERIS, the Centre for Environmental Research Innovation and Sustainability. Her main research interests are aquatic invasive species, fisheries science and human waterborne pathogens. She is involved in a range of international invasive species forums in both Europe and North America. Frances is a Board member of Inland Fisheries Ireland. She served as ESAI Chairperson from 2016-2019.

Administrator & ESAI Conference Liaison: Ms. Sinéad Macken supports the governing body of the ESAI and co-ordinates the network. Other ongoing supports include administration, membership, finance, funding, marketing & communications.  She plays a lead role in organising and co-ordinating the ESAI’s annual conference Environ. (Email)