School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
The PhD and Postdoc representatives of the SMME EDI Committee have organised a PhD and Postdoc Seminar Series in the School. This is aimed at enhancing peer-to-peer interaction among research scholars of different research groups and sharing information on conferences, equipment/facilities or resources available to them. This addresses some of the key concerns raised in the 2024 postdoc experience report. Presentations are scheduled to happen every Tuesday from 13:00-14:00 in the Spring 2025 trimester with coffee and networking serving as an icebreaker. Recent two sessions were delivered by Zhichao Geng discussing ultra-precision photocatalysis polishing of silicon carbide ceramics and Seyed Masih Mousavizadeh exploring high-strength bonding techniques for bioresorbable stents.
Here's the lineup for the upcoming talks:
- 11 Mar: 1–2 pm, Xingyu Fu (Postdoc), Clinton Auditorium – Design and Assembly of the Microneedle Device
- 18 Mar: 1–2 pm, Tianyu Guan (PhD), ENG 321 – Towards defect-free replication of polymeric microstructures using novel Ni-PTFE nanocomposite moulds
- 25 Mar: 1–2 pm, Shreyan Banerjee (PhD), ENG 317 – A Neuromorphic Approach for Monitoring and Control of Features of Interest in Dynamical Systems
- 1 Apr: 1–2 pm, Divyanshu Sood (PhD), TBD – Evaluating the effects of occupancy on energy use and indoor environmental quality in residential building archetypes over spatial and temporal scales
- 8 Apr: 1–2 pm, TBD TBD, TBD – TBD
- 15 Apr: 1–2 pm, Chanikya Valeti (Postdoc), TBD – TBD
- 22 Apr: 1–2 pm, Ankush Gogoi (PhD), TBD – Stochastic Differential Equations on Riemannian Manifolds
In addition to the seminar series, a pinboard was used to capture the concerns of the PhD and postdoctoral scholars. People's discussions on the pinboard included adding more relevant PhD modules, the inclusion of international students, loneliness, teaching opportunities, stipends, lab equipment and software access, and work provisions for PhD spouses. For people in MME interested in participating in the talks the link is as below:
https://forms.gle/5MwMXGdHwwXeTAMf7 .
Priority will be given to PhDs close to completion and postdocs who have recently joined the school so that they can network and seek collaborative opportunities within the school."
School EDI Activities: Coffee Mornings
Student Coffee Mornings offers a valuable platform for undergraduate students to connect with peers, lecturers, and technical staff. These informal gatherings provide a space for discussing future career paths, exploring research interests, and addressing academic challenges—all while sharing a cup of coffee. By facilitating these interactions, Coffee Mornings fosters an inclusive and supportive environment within the school.
Events are organized by academic stage, allowing for candid discussions on common concerns beyond the classroom. They also serve as a forum to address gaps in facilities, services, and support systems. The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering collaborates with the School of Electrical Engineering to host joint coffee events for biomedical engineering students. During one such event, students shared feedback and suggestions through a post-it sticker board, providing valuable insights for the School's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee.
The conversations are intentionally open-ended, allowing for dynamic and organic discussions. From exploring the creation of new student societies to finding ways to balance assignment workloads across modules, these gatherings provide a space for meaningful dialogue. They also serve as a platform to share updates on college-level amenities designed to support students and staff with special needs, such as the wellness room for parents of infants. Additionally, the committee took an active role in organizing the CEA UCD Pride Coffee Morning, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and support for LGBTI+ staff and students. Discussions are underway to integrate PhD and postdoc seminar series with their respective coffee events in the Spring 2025 trimester.
We are committed to creating a community where every voice is heard and every individual feels included. We look forward to you joining us for brew and laughter at the next School Coffee Morning.
| School EDI Committee | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aasifa Rounak (Chairperson) | Ali Saberi Mehr | Caoimhe Byrne |
| Cian Fitzgerald | Donal Finn | Ehsan Rezvani |
| Jordan O'Donoghue | Lizbeth Goodman | Michael Donohue |
| Nan Zhang | Oran O'Rua | Ramon Varghese |
| Seevani Bali | Vikram Pakrashi | Vincent Hargaden |
Last spring trimester, the EDI committee at the School of MME sought to expand its activities. As part of these efforts, Sosanna Ní Dhúbháin, a 2009 BE Mechanical graduate who has spent the past twelve years working as an engineer in Formula One (F1), joined us for a video podcast.
Currently, Sosanna is the Lead Brake Duct Engineer for the Aston Martin F1 team. She also gave a talk to our Stage 1 Engineering students on Friday, April 5th. The event was organized by Prof. William Smith from MME, and Sosanna was interviewed by Dr. Seevani Bali, our postdoctoral representative at the SMME EDI committee.
(opens in a new window)Watch the interview here.
School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering
Sinead Kerins retires
On Thursday, 20th June, we gathered outside Belfield House to celebrate the retirement of our beloved Chief Technical Officer, Sinead Kerins.
First EDI Coffee morning of 2024-25
The School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering kicked off the new academic year with a successful Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) coffee morning. Held on Friday 27th September in room 117, the event brought together around 30 PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff members from the school.
Stage 2 and 3 Lunch Gathering 2024
The School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering kicked off the new academic year with a successful lunch session for Stage 2 and 3 students. Held on October 1st and 2nd 2024 in the College Common Room, the event brought together almost 30 students from each of the stages.
Annual SCBE Seminar Day 2024
The Seminar Day showcased the research projects undertaken at the School and acted as an opportunity for staff, postdoctoral researchers and students to network. The SCBE Research Award was awarded to Sheryl Lim, the Seminar Day Best Presentation Award to Beatriz Pinheiro Lopes and the SCBE Seminar Day Best Poster was awarded to Dibyangshee Singh.
Annual Seminar Day Launch
We successfully launched our annual Seminar Day that took place on the 7th of March this year. The Seminar Day gives the opportunity to PhD students and Postdocs to communicate their research and network.
PhD student, Postdoctoral Researcher and Academic welcome pack.
A welcome pack is provided to every new member who joins the School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering. This welcome pack aims to navigate the new members as to what they need to tick off before coming to UCD, once they arrive and after their first month of being at UCD. This welcome pack allows a smooth transition of every newcomer to the School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering.
Electronic newsletter
Facilitating the introduction of new members to the School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering. Every quarter an electronic newsletter is sent out to all PhD students, Postdocs, Technicians and Academics introducing the new members that have joined the School. The newsletter includes a picture of the new School member, the Research group that they have joined (if applicable), where they are from and their hobbies.
Virtually monthly coffee mornings
Held every first Thursday of the month with running themes. The themes are centred around life in Ireland to promote the smooth transition of international School members. These themes include the best places to visit in Ireland, the best coffee at UCD, etc.
(opens in a new window)Dr Veronica Sofianos Assistant Professor (Ad Astra Fellow) and School EDI Representative, UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering
School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy: Visiting Professor and Global Architecture Initiative
Dr Nkatha Gichuyia is visiting through the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy’s EDI initiative to bring scholars to UCD who are from countries that are not well represented amongst staff in architecture, landscape, planning and environmental policy. It also dovetails with the Global Architecture Initiative in the discipline of architecture. This provides academic support and leadership on materials covering Africa, South-East Asia, South and Latin America and the Middle East. Amongst other events, Dr Gichuyia will be leading a seminar in APEP on informal settlements and urbanism.
(opens in a new window)Dr Samantha Martin-McAuliffe, EDI Rep, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy’s