DCU Researchers join the QUESTOR Centre in celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Queen’s University Belfast
2 June 2009

Dr. Fiona Regan, Co-ordinator for the QUESTOR Centre in DCU, (right) and Declan Raftery, Director of Research Support Services, DCU, with two of her QUESTOR PhD research students

On the 12th and 13th May 2009, representatives from DCU took part in the QUESTOR Centres biannual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting in Queen’s University Belfast. The QUESTOR Centre, based in Queen’s, represents an international centre with partnerships between industry, government agencies and academia for industry driven multi-discipline environmental research with a clear emphasis on technology transfer and exploitation.

The QUESTOR Centre was founded in 1989 and is the only centre outside of the United States to be a part of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Programme for Industry/University Co-operative Research Centres (I/UCRCs). The meeting marked the QUESTOR Centre’s 20th anniversary since it was founded.

Dublin City University joined QUESTOR as an Academic Partner in 2005 with expertise in sensor technology and analytical science and along with other academic partners in the United States, Canada, Germany, UK and Northern Ireland, undertake research projects that are led by the interests of the QUESTOR Centre’s member companies, ranging from large multinational companies to SMEs.

The first day of the IAB meeting provided networking sessions for member companies and researchers to discuss research ideas ahead of a summer 2009 call for project proposals from within the QUESTOR Centres academic and industrial partners. It also provided the opportunity to discuss updates on the progress of QUESTOR, including the QUESTOR Centre’s successful application for a Marie Curie Initial Training Network, funded under the Framework Programme 7 (FP7) Specific Programme 'People'.

A reception and dinner in the Great Hall at Queen’s University concluded the first day of the meeting. Ms. Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland; Dr. Alex Schwarzkopf, former Director of the National Science Foundation I/UCRC (Industry/University Co-operative Research Centres) Programme; Prof. Jim Swindall, founding Director of the QUESTOR Centre in 1989, Prof. Peter Gregson, Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University and Dr. Wilson McGarel, Director of the QUESTOR Centre attended.

The second day of the IAB meeting provided the opportunity for a number of QUESTOR PhD students, including two students from DCU, to present an update on their projects progress since the last meeting in November 2008. Within DCU there are currently five ongoing PhD research projects in the areas of sensors for metal determination, fouling and corrosion and novel methods for combating it, waste water testing for pharmaceuticals & treatment, sensors for leaks in oil pipelines and sensing of volatiles.

Dr. Fiona Regan, National Centre for Sensor Research in DCU is the Co-ordinator for the QUESTOR Centre in DCU and attended the two day meeting along with other representatives from DCU including Prof. Dermot Diamond, Director of the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dr. Declan Raftery, Director of Research Support Services, Office of the Vice President for Research, Dr. Anne Morrissey, Dr. Brian Kelleher and Dr. Enrico Marsili, lecturers in DCU.

DCU has been a partner in the QUESTOR Centre since 2005 and currently has 5 PhD students engaging in industry led research in the area of environmental science and technology. This is an important model for future research activities were academic and industry partnerships will help build innovation and new enterprise.

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