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Meet ATU’s Health-Tech Leaders
To mark Research Ireland’s Science Week 2025 (9 - 16 November), the Research Coordinator team at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Dr James Britton and Dr Shane Conway, have produced the second edition of the ATU Research Showcase Series, highlighting the work of ATU researchers transforming healthcare through technology and innovation.
Shaping the Future of Healthcare through Technology and Research at ATU
To mark Research Ireland’s Science Week 2025 (9 – 16 November), the Research Coordinator team at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Dr James Britton and Dr Shane Conway, have produced the second edition of the ATU Research Showcase Series, highlighting the work of ATU researchers transforming healthcare through technology and innovation.
From optimising biopharmaceutical production to developing artificial intelligence platforms for novel diagnostics, and from advanced manufacturing of medical devices to digital therapeutics that enhance wellbeing among vulnerable populations, this edition illustrates how ATU research is delivering real-world impact for patients, practitioners, and communities across the west and north-west of Ireland, and beyond.
“As the Research Coordinators for ATU, we see this series as a way to bring our research community closer together,” said Dr James Britton and Dr Shane Conway. “This edition of the series is about giving visibility and recognition to the researchers driving ATU’s health-tech innovation. By spotlighting their work, we aim to build stronger links across campuses and inspire future collaborations.”
As the technological university for the west and north-west, ATU grounds this innovation in regional and national priorities. Through alignment with Ireland’s National Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) for Innovation 2022–2027, ATU contributes to sectoral strengths in Life Sciences, MedTech, and Medical Devices, while also driving emerging opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, ICT, and Digital Services, reinforcing its role as a key innovation partner.
This booklet presents a selection of 12 researchers whose profiles reflect the breadth of ATU’s growing expertise in health-tech research and innovation. Their work spans multiple campuses and faculties, demonstrating the university’s interdisciplinary strengths and collaborative ethos, while reinforcing Ireland’s position as a global leader in health innovation.
Profiled ATU Researchers:
- Dr Marion McAfee – Utilising Computational Modelling to Improve Medical Device and Medicine Production
- Dr Lisa Ryan – Understanding Nutrition and Bioactive Compounds to Improve Health and Performance
- Dr Michael McCann – Powering Health Technology with High-Performance Computing and Data Analytics
- Faizan Munawar – Data-Driven Modelling and Digital Twins for Health
- Dr Anushree Dwivedi – Engineering Solutions to Ischaemic Stroke to Improve Patient Outcomes
- Dr Aoife Hill – Mathematical Modelling of Novel Materials for Health
- Dr Jamie Roche – Advancing Artificial Intelligence to Tackle Real-World Problems
- Dr Kenneth Monaghan – Advancing Remote Neurorehabilitation through Innovative Digital Therapies
- Dr Saritha Unnikrishnan – Building Transparent and Uncertainty-Aware AI for Cancer Diagnosis
- Dr Karla Muñoz Esquivel – Technology for Digital Skills and Wellbeing Enhancement of Social and Healthcare Staff
- Dr Richéal Burns – Health Economic Evaluation of Innovative Interventions and Policy
- Dr Konrad Mulrennan – Engineering for Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Health
“Science Week is the perfect moment to showcase innovation that touches everyone. Health-tech research spans multiple disciplines. We were struck by how these projects translate research into real-world benefits—from faster diagnostics and improved patient outcomes to more efficient healthcare delivery,” say Drs James Britton and Shane Conway.
This booklet represents a small sample of the research being carried out by ATU’s health-tech community to drive impact locally, nationally, and internationally.
View/download the booklet:
Search ATU Research Showcase Series – RISE@ATU
Looking Ahead
The next Research Showcase will focus on Research in Teaching Methods & Education, aligning with the United Nations International Day of Education (24 January).
Interested in being featured? Suggest a theme or submit your work here:
ATU Research Showcase Series – Submission Form – Fill in form
RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.
