Prof Jennifer Mahony Interim Vice Head, and Vice-Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity
Prof. Jennifer Mahony graduated with a BSc in Food Science and Technology from Cork Institute of Technology in 2003. She pursued a PhD on the subject of prophage-encoded bacteriophage resistance mechanisms in the dairy bacterium Lactococcus lactis.
After graduating with her PhD in 2008, she continued to research phage-host interactions in her post-doctoral research. These studies were primarily focused on the phage-host interactions of the lactic acid bacteria that are employed in dairy fermentations while they also encompassed those pertaining to food spoilage microorganisms such as Lactobacillus brevis and pathogenic organisms such as Shigella.
She has performed research secondments in the University of Groningen and CNRS Marseille and been involved in multidisciplinary teams involving structural biologists, glycobiologists and biochemists to provide detailed mechanistic insights into these intricate relationships.
Now a professor of molecular food microbiology, Prof. Mahony leads a research team dedicated to understanding the mechanisms by which phages infect their hosts and how bacteria respond and evolve in order to adapt and survive.
Additionally, her team is focused on defining the cell surface structures that are central to the interactions of lactic acid bacteria and how knowledge of these may be exploited to (a) improve the sustainability of food production systems, (b) develop novel phage-based therapeutic products and (c) define the impact of phages and bacterial cell surface polysaccharides on complex microbial communities and human health.
The multi-disciplinary approach to her research has led to the publication of research articles in high impact journals including PNAS, Nature, mBio, Molecular microbiology, among others.
Dr. Barry Hayes Interim Vice-Dean for Research and Innovation
Dr. Barry Hayes is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Power Systems Engineering at UCC. Prior to joining UCC in 2018, he was a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at the University of Galway (2016-2018), and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie research fellow at IMDEA Energy in Madrid (2013-2016). He holds a PhD in Electrical Power Systems Engineering from the University of Edinburgh (2013), and has held visiting researcher positions at National Grid UK (2011) and at the University of Tennessee (2016).
Barry leads a research team at UCC focused on the grid integration of sustainable energy technologies, and the operation and planning of future power systems. He is a Funded Investigator in the Research Ireland MaREI Centre and has active research collaborations with the Irish energy industry and with international academic partners.
He contributes regularly to public science and technology communication through national and international media (e.g., RTÉ, BBC). He also works with energy communities around Ireland, providing technical advice on the development and grid connection of community-owned renewable energy projects.
Barry is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), where he works on the development of new IEEE standards on smart grid interoperability, and serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid and IEEE Transactions on Energy Markets. For an up-to-date list of publications, see Google Scholar.
Dr. Deirdre Hennessy Interim Vice-Dean for Graduate Affairs
Dr Deirdre Hennessy is a Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture (Grassland) in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork. Deirdre is a Co-Principle Investigator in the RI funded VistaMilk Research Centre. She is Senior Editor Irish Journal of Agricultural & Food Research.
Deirdre Chairs the European Grassland Federation Grazing working group and is a member of the European Grassland Federation Executive Committee. Deirdre joined UCC in 2023 under the UCC Sustainable Futures programme. Prior to joining UCC, she was a Senior Research Officer in the Grassland Department at Teagasc Moorepark.
Deirdre is a Past President (and first female President) of the Irish Grassand Association (2012-2013).
Dr Jerry Reen Interim Vice Dean for Undergraduate Affairs
Dr F. Jerry Reen holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), and a PhD with the Molecular GlycoBiotechnology Group at NUIG. He was awarded both an Enterprise Ireland Scholarship and an NUI Teaching Fellowship.
In Oct 2002, Jerry took up a PostDoctoral position in the lab of Dr. E. Fidelma Boyd in the Department of Microbiology at UCC. During that time he was a visiting scientist at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, San Diego, USA and was awarded an IRCSET Postdoctoral Fellowship to study bacteriophage-host interactions.
He subsequently took up a fixed term lecturing position in the School of Microbiology, while also joining the BIOMERIT Research Centre where he developed an interest in small molecule research and host-microbe interactions in chronic disease. In 2011, he won the inaugural Science Foundation Ireland TIDA ‘Dragons Den’ and was hosted in Silicon Valley, San Jose by the Irish Technology Leadership Group.
He has since won several awards for his research and has published over 80 peer reviewed scientific papers (h-index 26). Jerry has been a member of faculty in the School of Microbiology at UCC since 2017, where his research interests are in deciphering the communication systems underpinning polymicrobial-host interactions for human and ecosystem health, as well as delivering green sustainable solutions for the (Bio)Pharma industry.
His teaching has led to several innovations based on universality, inclusivity, and neurodiversity, with particular focus on the development of student partnered virtual reality simulations as a pedagogical tool enabling access to challenging abstract concepts.
Prof Maurice O'Sullivan Interim Vice-Dean for Global Engagement
Prof. Maurice O’ Sullivan is a sensory and reformulation scientist (NPD) working in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, UCC. In the past Maurice has worked in the food industry as a sensory scientist and flavour chemist for Diageo Baileys and Guinness as well as holding the position of Global Regulatory Affairs Manager for Diageo Baileys.
He has worked as a food technologist and process/product development scientist for the processed foods sector in the 1990’s as well as leading product development consultancy to the dairy, meat and beverage industries on behalf of UCC. He has a Ph.D. in Sensory and Consumer science from the Department of Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), Copenhagen University, Denmark as well as MSc. and BSc. Degrees in Food Science and Technology from University College Cork (UCC).
Currently Maurice is a project coordinator leading large scale multi-million euro research projects. For many years he has also managed the “Sensory Unit” at UCC working on sensory and flavour-based projects involving a diverse selection of products as well as lecturing in sensory science. Maurice has published more than 200 research based articles (papers, book chapters, proceedings etc.).
In 2017 he launched his first book “A Handbook for Sensory and Consumer Driven New Product Development (Innovative Technologies for the Food and Beverage Industry) on the 14th September at the 3rd National Food & Drink Business Conference and Exhibition, CityWest Convention Centre, Dublin.
In 2020 a second book was published: Salt, Fat and Sugar Reduction; Sensory Approaches for Nutritional Reformulation of foods and beverages. Woodhead Publishing Ltd., United Kingdom.
STEM at UCC
There has never been such an exciting time to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Sustainability is at the heart of our programmes and our research, here in the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS). Together, we are the scientists, the technologists, the engineers and the mathematicians who are focused on creating and delivering a sustainable future for us all. We are developing the innovative solutions to support a sustainable and environmentally responsible society. Our graduates have the skills and attributes to play their role in solving these key societal challenges.
The College of SEFS is made up of nine academic units.
With 600 academic and research staff, over 5,000 students and generating 1,200 STEM-enabled graduates annually, the College plays a significant role in the advancement of STEM, both in Ireland and around the world.
SEFS is a thriving, dynamic and diverse College, with internationally renowned academics, research institutions and centres. If you choose to study with us, you will discover an exciting, nurturing and friendly environment, which provides a vigorous and challenging academic atmosphere for our students. STEM has always been hugely important in society. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics play a pivotal role in the world, providing significant career opportunities for those who opt to study a STEM discipline.
With high-quality graduates, prominent research clusters in key STEM areas, ICT doctoral-training centres and world-class research, UCC is a significant pipeline into industry, commerce and academia, in the Munster region and beyond. We work with top-tier businesses around the globe and have developed a range of comprehensive partnerships via research and academic programmes. These businesses in turn support our students as they develop their exciting and rewarding careers in STEM. From cybersecurity to climate change, photonics to food, astrophysics to architecture, and sustainability to waste minimisation, STEM is the place to be right now.
A career in STEM is incredibly adaptable and you will enjoy a myriad of options post-graduation. So ask yourself:
What are you passionate about?
Do you want to make a real difference?
Do you enjoy problem solving?
Do you want an interesting career that focuses on solutions that have societal impact?
If the answer is yes, then a career in STEM is for you.
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