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Becoming an Ad Astra Fellow
Why Become a UCD Ad Astra Fellow?
You’ll join a vibrant, interdisciplinary community of faculty, who want to make a difference in the world, to teach the brightest minds and break the boundaries of knowledge.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from six of our Ad Astra fellows about their experience.
Assistant Professor Junli Xu, UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering
Dr Junli Xu is dedicating her career to investigating a growing concern: the invisible plastic particles we are constantly exposed to. She is at the forefront of research into microplastic pollution and its long-term effects on human health.
“Microplastics are everywhere— in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Understanding how we are exposed and the potential health impacts is at the heart of my research.”
When passion becomes purpose.
“My journey into this field began in China, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Engineering. Food safety is a significant public concern there, and that sparked my passion for food engineering as a way to safeguard human health. During my PhD, I explored spectral imaging combined with advanced data analysis methods like machine learning and deep learning. Today, I’m applying these techniques to detect microplastics and uncover the hidden dangers to human health.”
The far-reaching effects of essential research.
“By identifying plastic products that pose environmental and health risks, my research can inform policies on plastic use and encourage the adoption of sustainable alternatives like biopolymers. I believe this work is essential not just for protecting human health, but also for promoting global environmental sustainability.”
There’s always much more to discover and uncover.
“I plan to establish a dedicated microplastic research centre focused on detection, characterization, and toxicology. A hub for pioneering studies on microplastics, helping us better understand their presence and impact on both the environment and human health.”
The Ad Astra community’s unwavering support.
“I’ve gotten a wealth of advice from a network of colleagues on everything from research strategies to teaching methodologies. These connections have allowed me to create strong interdisciplinary partnerships that have enriched my research. The resources and support from the Ad Astra Fellowship helped me secure the prestigious ERC Starting Grant, a milestone I am incredibly proud of.”
Words of advice for those considering the Ad Astra Fellowship.
“My advice is to think strategically about long-term research development. The fellowship offers incredible support, so it’s important to have a clear vision for how to use those resources effectively. Seek the right mentorship and support throughout the process.”
Associate Professor Fiona Freeman, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Associate Professor Fiona Freeman’s journey to reshaping the future of paediatric cancer treatment isn’t exactly an expected one, but it’s precisely this unique path that drives her groundbreaking research today. With a focus on osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer, Fiona is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
“Osteosarcoma treatment has remained virtually unchanged since the introduction of chemotherapy in the 1970s. My focus is on creating innovative therapies that can drastically improve survival rates.”
The greatest challenges need innovative approaches.
“In my lab, we take a two-pronged approach. First, we build models of osteosarcoma tumours to better understand the disease. We use cutting-edge techniques like 3D bioprinting and microfluidic devices, developing “organs-on-chips”. These complex models allow us to test therapies in ways that mimic the human body. Our ultimate goal is to speed up drug discovery and improve the odds of new treatments making it to patients.
The second focus is on metastases. Why does osteosarcoma so often spread to the lungs? Using our organ-on-chip systems, we can study how the tumour communicates with lung tissue and figure out how to interrupt that process. We’re also looking at using nanoparticles to deliver immunotherapies to treat metastases.”
Sometimes, the best lens to look through isn’t the one you expect.
“I’m an engineer by trade, which may seem unusual taking my research into account. But my dad was an engineer, and my mum was a nurse. They both inspired me to pursue biomedical engineering, and I’ve never looked back. If you think about bone as the scaffolding that builds our entire skeleton, looking through the lens of an engineer rather than a clinician, you see things in a different way. A fascination with stem cells during my school years also set me along this path.”
It takes the right support to turn ideas into lasting impact.
“It’s incredibly difficult to get going on ideas when you’re starting completely from scratch. The Ad Astra Fellowship gave me the chance to hit the ground running. In the first year I focused on writing grant proposals, which paid off significantly. I secured my ERC Starting Grant and an SFI Frontiers for the Future grant.
You’re also hired to bring something new to the table. I’ve introduced a subject area to the school that wasn’t previously taught by the school. It’s rewarding to contribute something lasting and meaningful in that way.”
Words of advice for those considering the Ad Astra Fellowship.
“The biomedical engineering community, especially in Ireland, is small and tight-knit. I’ve had incredible mentors and peers who’ve helped refine my grant applications and offered guidance. For anyone considering the fellowship, I’d strongly recommend building those connections within your school and across your field because that support network is essential.
Research is truly a community effort. My success is because of so many amazing collaborators and mentors, both within UCD and beyond. The more you contribute to that community, the more it will support you in return.”
(opens in a new window)Researcher Profile: Associate Professor Fiona Freeman
Associate Professor Madhusanka Liyanage, UCD School of Computer Science
Associate Professor Madhusanka Liyanage’s career demonstrates the power of combining passion with purpose. With a deep-rooted curiosity for mathematics, engineering, and network security, he has become a central figure in the world of telecommunications. Through his work, he is helping to define the future of connectivity and security.
“My research focuses on developing innovative solutions that safeguard mobile services from the rising tide of cyber threats, while ensuring seamless communication. It involves securing mobile and wireless communication networks, making sure that users' privacy is protected in what’s become a highly connected world.”
A passion that’s taken theory to reality.
“My fascination with network security started early. I saw telecommunications as a field that combined theoretical work with practical applications that impact billions of people. I’m proud that my work has bridged the gap between research and the real-world, and that I’ve helped shape industry practices.”
The importance of a global perspective.
“Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work with leading institutions and collaborate internationally, including the European Union Agency. These global experiences have expanded my perspective, enabling me to create solutions that are both innovative and globally relevant. It also ensures we stay up-to-date with technological advancements and market demands.”
A unique opportunity to build teaching skills.
“My transition into academia at UCD was greatly supported by the Ad Astra Fellowship. Before joining, I had already started to build a strong research profile, but the fellowship provided me with the opportunity to refine my teaching skills. It gave me the time and structure to expand my research group, NetsLab, into a leading team in 6G security, while helping me connect with the Irish research community.”
Collaboration fuels innovation.
“One of the most valuable aspects of the Ad Astra Fellowship was the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines. In projects like Ensure-6G and Robust-6G, I was able to integrate security measures into broader frameworks. These experiences strengthened my ability to manage complex research ecosystems and build up those collaborations. It also played a significant role in shaping my approach to mentoring graduate students and early-career researchers.”
Success is inspiring future generations.
“The Ad Astra Fellowship is an incredible opportunity to transition into academia without sacrificing research goals. The fellowship provides a balanced platform for growth as both an educator and a researcher.
To me, success in research is not just about personal achievements, but about building a legacy that inspires and empowers future generations.”
(opens in a new window)Researcher Profile: Madhusanka Liyanage
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Assistant Professor Nicholas Brereton, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science
Dr Nicholas Brereton is transforming our understanding of how organisms interact across ecosystems. His innovative work explores genetics and the biochemistry of cross-kingdom interactions, showing how science can solve real-world challenges on this planet and off of it.
“My work explores how microbes, like bacteria and fungi, affect plants, human health, and even space ecosystems. In agriculture, I study how we can influence plant-microbe interactions to improve crop resilience and sustainability, while in health, I investigate how the gut microbiome influences disease pathology or recovery after long-duration space missions.”
Work takes him further than most.
“I’m proud to say I’ve been a part of successful NASA research missions, and I’m working on projects supported by the European and Canadian Space Agencies. We’re growing crops in simulated lunar and Martian soils and studying how spaceflight affects microbiomes and astronaut health. These experiences reinforce how interdisciplinary science can answer real-world questions both here and in space.”
Curiosity and a persistence in problem-solving have been a driving force.
“My curiosity for this field really began during a phytoremediation project in Canada, where we used fast-growing willow trees to clean oil-contaminated soils. We discovered that the resilience of trees depended not only on their genetic responses, but also on interactions with root-associated bacteria. This sparked my interest in whole systems rather than isolated organisms, shaping my research today.”
A first for Ireland thanks to vital support.
“The Rosemount plant growth facility on the Belfield campus has given us a fantastic environment to grow Ireland’s first plants in both lunar and Martian regolith soils. It’s been key in developing solutions for off-Earth agriculture, preparing for the challenges of growing crops on the Moon and Mars. Joining the Ad Astra Fellowship has also introduced me to a hugely supportive group of researchers who share a passion for tackling big questions, and making new discoveries accessible. And it’s helped us secure recent funding support from the European Space Agency and DAFM.
Ireland’s future of world-class research.
“Looking ahead, my focus is to strengthen Ireland’s role in global research, particularly in agriculture and health, by applying multiomics in cross-disciplinary projects. I also hope to inspire the next generation of scientists to embrace curiosity and collaboration in tackling the challenges of the future, whether that’s here on Earth or beyond.”
(opens in a new window)Researcher Profile: Dr Nicholas Brereton
Assistant Professor Sonya Deschenes, UCD School of Psychology
Dr Sonya Deschenes is researching the often-overlooked connections between mental and physical health. With a blend of psychology and epidemiology, her work goes beyond the science, it’s about understanding the human experience of living with these challenges.
“My research looks at how mental health conditions, like depression, can influence the development of chronic physical conditions such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. I’m also particularly interested in understanding how factors like childhood trauma and mental health issues contribute to these conditions, and in relation to that, how living with chronic health problems can impact your mental well-being.”
Tackling some of today’s most pressing health issues.
"I’m working on several projects, including diabetes stigma, mental health comorbidities in chronic physical health conditions, and the role of early life factors such as adverse childhood experiences in mental and physical health outcomes across the life course. For example, we use digital phenotyping to track the health behaviours and mental health of people with type 2 diabetes. It’s about finding new ways to address these challenges through research."
Moving to Ireland had its challenges, but a network of support was at hand.
“When I moved from Canada to Ireland, it was challenging to build my Irish and European collaboration networks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduced teaching load provided by the Ad Astra Fellowship was a huge help, giving me the time I needed to build networks both in Ireland and across Europe. It also gave me access to research funding, allowing me to attend more conferences and expand my collaborations.”
The Ad Astra Fellowship. A turning point and catalyst.
“The opportunity to hire my first PhD student has been essential in helping me establish my lab and kick-start several important research projects. This support was a big part in getting my research off the ground quickly, including launching a digital phenotyping study that would have otherwise been difficult to resource.”
Words of advice for those considering the Ad Astra Fellowship.
“If anyone is considering applying for the Ad Astra Fellowship, I would absolutely encourage them to go for it. The resources, support, and opportunities it provides are unique, and you will find help and resources across the board in UCD. It gives you time to really focus on what’s important.”
(opens in a new window)Researcher Profile: Dr Sonya Deschenes
Associate Professor Fangzhe Qiu, UCD School of Irish Celtic Studies and Folklore
Associate Professor Fanghze Qiu’s work is a blend of language, history, and law. Exploring how languages evolve over time. Why words change, how sounds shift, and what these changes reveal about different cultures. Looking back in time, not just to understand laws, but also to gain insight into the people who created and lived by them.
“My research spans historical linguistics, which explains how languages change over time; formal linguistics, which looks at how human languages are constructed from basic sounds and concepts; and early Irish law. I spend much of my time editing and translating medieval legal texts, interpreting their meanings, and exploring their social importance.”
An academic path shaped at an early age.
“I grew up in a multilingual environment, which sparked my early fascination with language. This led me to study linguistics, but I also pursued law in college, realizing how crucial law is in shaping societies and ideologies. When I was an exchange student in the Netherlands, I had the chance to learn Old Irish. This was a turning point for me, which brings me to where I am today.”
Every academic journey needs security and the right support.
“The Ad Astra Fellowship has been a key part of my academic journey, offering me a secure environment to focus on my research and hone my teaching. I’ve also received excellent support from UCD Research when it comes to applying for external funding, which has been invaluable. Securing the ERC Starting Grant was hugely beneficial to my research and work.”
Collaboration is key to mentorship.
“When mentoring PhD and masters students, we spend a lot of time reading and discussing everything together. We learn from each other. Academic integrity is something I emphasize strongly, being honest about what we don’t know and admitting mistakes is important in the pursuit of scientific truth.”
There’s always a focus on what’s next.
“Looking ahead to 2025, I plan to submit more articles, and develop a new Middle Welsh module to help expand UCD’s Celtic Studies program. I’m also eager to host visiting scholars and foster more international collaborations to keep pushing the boundaries of my field.”
(opens in a new window)Researcher Profile: Associate Professor Fangzhe Qiu