Press releases 2001 - DCU President’s Research Awards 2000
press releases 2001
dcu president’s research awards 2000
Professor Brian MacCraith
For significant contributions both to optical sensor research and to the development of the overall scientific research effort of Dublin City University
Professor Brian MacCraith graduated with a first class honours degree in experimental physics from NUI Galway in 1978. He was awarded a Ph D from the same university in 1982. After lecturing for 4 years at the Institute of Technology, Dundalk, he joined Dublin City University in 1987. His appointment as Senior Lecturer followed in 1992 and he became an Associate Professor in 1999.
The Optical Sensors Laboratory, which is the nucleus of Brian's research world, was established in the late 1980's. Since then, this laboratory has earned an international reputation, attracting graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from around the world.
Research on intrinsic fibre-optic sol-gel-based sensors produced the first landmark paper, leading to a generic European Patent in 1991. Pioneering work in the area of multianalyte fluorosensors at the US Naval Laboratory in 1997, led to a patent submitted to the US Navy Patent Office and to a US Navy Research Publication Award in 1999. Another major landmark is the manufacture under licence of his Colour Turbidity Sensor, under the trade name "CLEARCENSE", by Siemens, UK, in 2000.
Brian was a founder member of the Biomedical & Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre established in 1995 with colleagues in Chemistry and Biotechnology. His research became a central part in the late 1990's of the Optronics Ireland PAT centre, of which Brian is now Director. The successful establishment under the HEA PRTLI scheme of the National Centre for Sensor Research(NCSR) in 1999, in collaboration with colleagues inside and outside DCU, bears testament to Brian's talents as a research leader and team builder.
In summary, Brian has demonstrated his ability to apply a keen analytical mind to solving complex problems in optical sensor technology, a keen business instinct for identifying the commercial potential of his work, and a clear talent for research leadership. He has helped to put DCU on the international research map as well as contributing significantly to the university's mission in education.