UCD Engineering & Architecture Alumni Wall
This UCD Engineering & Architecture alumni wall which also appear in physical form within the lobby of the Engineering and Materials Science Centre promotes the personal and professional achievements of our graduates. We hope that this diverse array of alumni leaders at various stages in their careers will inspire the next generation of UCD undergraduates.
Paul Barrett
Hysata, CEO
BE Chemical Engineering 1997
PhD Chemical Engineering 2001
UCD studies gave me great technical and analytical tools that I have been able to build off and apply in technical and commercial roles.
Following graduation Paul worked in the US for 8 years in technical and commercial roles that cut across the chemical and pharma industries
In 2008 he moved to Australia and has been working as an investor and entrepreneur in climate related technologies. He is currently CEO of Hysata, developing the world’s most energy efficient electrolyser.
Róisín Bradford
Communications Manager at
Uisce Eireann | Irish Water
BE Civil Engineering 2008
PhD Civil Engineering 2012
Róisín’s PhD research into flood risk management in UCD Civil Engineering launched her career as a cross-functional expert, combining communications with major infrastructure projects.
Róisín has 15 years experience in the water industry, leading communications across media, stakeholder engagement and communications on complex infrastructure projects, operational issues, industry and community engagement at national, regional and local level.
She also volunteers with Water-Share Ireland, collaborating with GOAL to deliver sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes to vulnerable communities in developing countries.
Laura Burke
Director of the Environmental Protection Agency
BE Chemical Engineering 1992
Laura graduated from UCD with a Chemical Engineering degree. She is Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whose role is to protect, improve and restore Ireland’s environment through regulation, scientific knowledge and working with others.
The EPA provides environmental data, assessments and evidence to inform decision making and implements effective regulation and environmental compliance systems – while working with others to advocate for a clean, healthy and well protected environment and sustainable environmental behaviour.
Paul Cahill
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Cahill was one of the leading researchers in Ireland around the topic of infrastructure monitoring sensors. He carried out some of the first energy harvesting based monitoring of bridges and implemented flood defence solutions for Ireland.
Dr. Cahill took extended medical leave from UCD and sadly passed away before he could return. The Civil Engineering Research Association of Ireland has commemorated his contribution to Irish Engineering in their flagship conference in 2024 through a special session dedicated to his name.
Dr. Cahill has been an example of what can be achieved and how positively and widely a short life can touch both local and global communities through collaborative works around the world. His postdoctoral tenure in UCD marks the most formative and impactful phase of his career.
Tara Clinton
Sustainability Consultant | Public Practice Alumni at ARUP
BSc Structural Engineering with Architecture 2013
MEngSc Structural Engineering with Architecture 2014
Tara chose to study Structural Engineering with Architecture in UCD as she had always had a keen interest in the built environment. The course content is varied with modules ranging from mathematical to model making.
She particularly enjoyed, and has since found very useful, the case studies module in which students scheme designed the structure of a building every two weeks and then presented the design as a team.
In her third year Tara went to the University of Connecticut for a semester, which was a great experience. The work placement in 4th year was also an excellent part of the course, giving you practical experience as well as being very valuable to potential employers.
Aoife Parker Hedderman
Assistant Principal Officer EU Climate Policy, Dept. of Communications, Climate Action & Environment
BSc Landscape Architecture 2011
Following Landscape Architecture at UCD, and an MSc in Environmental Sustainability, my career path unfolded somewhat organically, peppered with doubt, excitement and intrigue, but has always been fulfilling.
I started with an internship in the Renewable Energy Division of a Government Department. This led me to secure an Analyst position within the Energy Regulator and from there a Climate Analyst role within the Civil Service, where I continue to work today, delivering on Climate Action.
Marina Valero Herrera
NPD Technologist, ORNUA
ME Biosystems and Food Engineering 2020
In 2020 Marina graduated from University College Dublin with First Class Honours in ME Biosystems and Food Engineering. During the master’s programme she had the incredible opportunity of completing an eight-month internship as an R&D Process Engineer at Glanbia.
Following her passion towards the food industry, and thanks to the constant support from the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, Marina succeeded in joining Ornua’s Graduate Programme, where she is currently a New Product Development Technologist.
Clíodhna Lyons
Nissan Motor Corporation, Vice President Product and Services Planning for Europe, Middle East, Africa, India and Oceania.
BE Mechanical Engineering 2001,
PhD Mechanical Engineering 2005
Clíodhna began her career at Nissan in Barcelona while still writing her doctoral thesis. She advanced from engine calibration engineer to leading the Powertrain and Software Engineering team and later moved to Paris where she was appointed Director of Nissan’s Product Strategy and Planning for Europe in 2019.
Now VP for Product and Service Planning, she oversees strategy across 147 markets. A key player in Nissan’s electrification strategy, Clíodhna was named a Rising Star by Automotive News Europe in 2022 and is a founding member of Nissan’s DEI council.
Ste Murray
Self Employed Actor & Photographer
BSc Architectural Science 2009,
BArch 2012
Ste’s time in UCD Architecture allowed him to develop his interests in Photography and Acting. He worked with images and photographs in his studio and research work, alongside experimenting with graphic design, set-design, and acting on stage in UCD Dramsoc.
Upon graduating, he decided to take the multiple skills and interests that had been nurtured in UCD into practice. Crucially, a way of thinking about the world, mixed with a process-based approach to work, has formed the foundation for an open and fluid freelance career.
Patricia Scanlon
Soapbox Labs, Founder and Executive Chair
PhD Electronic Engineering 2005
Patricia holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Speech Recognition from UCD. After a period working across academia and industry, in 2013, she founded SoapBox Labs, the world's leading provider of Speech Recognition technology for kids.
In 2018, Dr. Scanlon was named one of the world’s top 50 women in tech by Forbes. In 2022, the Irish Government appointed Dr. Scanlon as Ireland’s first AI Ambassador and in 2023 as Chairperson of Ireland’s new AI Advisory Council.
Prag Sharma
Global Head, Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) at Citigroup
BE Electronic Engineering 2000,
PhD Artificial Intelligence 2005
Prag currently leads the Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) for Citigroup, an organisation with 230,000 employees and business connections in over 160 countries. In this role, he ensures that Citi uses AI responsibly across the organisation. He is their resident AI expert and a Tech Fellow, Citi’s pre-eminent distinction, granted in recognition of outstanding and sustained technical achievements in engineering and technology.
Prag obtained a BE in Electronic Engineering from UCD, which he followed up with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence - before AI became cool. He later undertook an Executive MBA at the Michael Smurfit Business School and worked at the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, which was a fantastic experience. He still loves to visit UCD for its natural beauty and amazing facilities, and loves to connect with younger UCD students.
Paul Sweetman
American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, CEO
BE Agriculture & Food 2003
Paul is CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. He was previously Managing Partner with public affairs consultancy Instinctif Partners and also worked with Ibec, holding numerous roles including Director of Financial Services Ireland, Director of Technology Ireland, Head of Transport & Public-Private Partnership Policy and, Environment Policy Executive.
The ‘way of thinking’ engrained through engineering studies at UCD has proved fundamental to Paul’s career trajectory.
Other Notable Alumni
- (opens in a new window)Donal O’Riain
- (opens in a new window)David McNulty
- (opens in a new window)Dr Dave Burke
- (opens in a new window)Ian Quinn
- (opens in a new window)Yvonne Farrell & Shelley McNamara
- (opens in a new window)Prof. Edmond Harty
- (opens in a new window)John Carey
- (opens in a new window)Noelle Walsh
- (opens in a new window)Róisín Heneghan