cv

Research Scientist

Centre for Space Research, University College Dublin

Developing γ-ray instrumentation for the COMCUBE project, including hardware responsible for a prototype stratospheric balloon payload. Ongoing system engineering and integration support of the EIRSAT-1 spacecraft and GMOD γ-ray detector.

• PI of COMCUBE-S, a swarm of CubeSats carrying COMCUBE polarimeters.

Postdoctoral Researcher

School of Physics, University College Dublin

GIFTS: 'Gamma-ray Investigation of the Full Transient Sky'

• Developed initial concepts for the GIFTS 6U spacecraft and designed and manufactured prototype γ-ray instrumentation.
• System engineering of the EIRSAT-1 spacecraft and GMOD γ-ray detector, including design, implementation, testing, and spaceflight qualification.

PhD, Astrophysics

University College Dublin

Development of a Novel Gamma-Ray Detector for Ireland's First Satellite and Future Astrophysics Missions.

MSc, Physics by Research

University College Dublin

Instrumentation and Software Development for Astronomy

Education Abroad Programme

University of California, Berkeley

BSc, Physics with Astronomy and Space Science

University College Dublin

• Graduated with first-class honours.

COMCUBE-S

University College Dublin / European Space Agency.

• PI of project.
• Selected for funded Phase-A study.
• Development of a swarm of CubeSats for determination of GRB polarisation with all-sky coverage and low-latency alerts.

COMCUBE TRANSAT

Esrange, Sweden.

• Refined the COMCUBE detector and support systems to enable operation of the instrument throughout a 3-day transatlantic stratospheric balloon flight from Sweden to Canada.

COMCUBE PreTRANSAT

Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base, Canada.

• Developed the D2 calorimeter layer for a Compton Telescope and several key support systems to enable operation of the instrument throughout a 24-hour stratospheric flight.

EIRSAT-1

University College Dublin / European Space Agency.

• Developed a proposal for 'EIRSAT-1', a 2U CubeSat including a novel γ-ray detector and secured participation for EIRSAT-1 in ESA's Fly Your Satellite! programme.
• Responsible for all aspects of the EIRSAT-1 mission's design and implementation including qualification and delivery of hardware for spaceflight.

Proton Irradiation of Silicon Photomultipliers

University College Dublin / European Space Agency / Paul Scherrer Institute.

• Performed proton irradiation of a γ-ray detector in order to simulate the in-orbit radiation environment and characterise the radiation damage suffered by SiPMs during a number of typical spacecraft mission scenarios.

GMoDem

University College Dublin / NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.

• Developed and built a platform to host a γ-ray detector as a piggy-back experiment on the ASCOT high-altitude balloon experiment.

EduCube

University College Dublin.

• Developed and built 5 1U training CubeSats for use in teaching students of the UCD MSc Space Science and Technology course.

Robotic Telescopes

Watcher Telescope, Boyden Observatory, South Africa. BOOTES-5 Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory San Pedro Mártir, Mexico.

• Serviced the Watcher Telescope over several years including replacement of computer equipment and rebuilding of the OTA and mount.
• Contributed to build and commissioning of the BOOTES-5 Telescope.

Research Techniques in Physics

Oak Ridge National Laboratory / Sanford Under- ground Research Facility.

• 3 months studying and assembling ultra-sensitive high-energy detectors including high-purity Germanium-76 detectors for the Majorana Demonstrator.

'SysNova' CubeSat Challenge

European Space Agency

Winner of the challenge from over 70 entries. Awarded a study session at ESA's Concurrent Design Facility and funded Phase-A study to begin December 2024.