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Rising Star Fellowship

Through our Discovery Rising Star Fellowship Program we recognise and promote exceptional early career researchers who work in an interdisciplinary field, for their potential as future research leaders.

Dr. Steffen Rimner

We are delighted to announce our latest Rising Star Fellow for 2025 is Dr. Steffen Rimner, Assistant Professor in the History of International Affairs, Director of the UCD Centre for Asia Pacific Research, and Ad Astra Fellow at University College Dublin. 

"How healthy is food on Irish supermarket shelves?"\n\nPhD student Sinead O’Mahony used a validated measure from New Zealand, called the INFORMAS Food Availability in Supermarkets tool, which measures the proportion of shelf space allocated to healthy and unhealthy foods, in supermarkets, to assess the situation here. Sinead O’Mahony
"How healthy is food on Irish supermarket shelves?" PhD student Sinead O’Mahony used a validated measure from New Zealand, called the INFORMAS Food Availability in Supermarkets tool, which measures the proportion of shelf space allocated to healthy and unhealthy foods, in supermarkets, to assess the situation here.
"Making virtual worlds more accessible"\n\nDr Kata Szita has always loved gadgets and playing around with new technologies. \n“I\'m also reflective of how I use them, how I experience gadgets or applications or what I feel when I use virtual reality. What elements worked for me? How can they be improved potentially? A lot of my research has been inspired by these ideas.”\n Dr Kata Szita
"Making virtual worlds more accessible" Dr Kata Szita has always loved gadgets and playing around with new technologies. “I'm also reflective of how I use them, how I experience gadgets or applications or what I feel when I use virtual reality. What elements worked for me? How can they be improved potentially? A lot of my research has been inspired by these ideas.”
“Quantum mechanics poised to give us a wholly new modern world.”\nThe late Nobel laureate Richard Feynman famously said that If you think you understand quantum mechanics then you don’t understand quantum mechanics. \nThat was back in 1964 but “it’s still absolutely true” confirms UCD’s Dr Steve Campbell, of the mysterious branch of physics that deals with subatomic particles and energy. \n Dr Steve Campbell
“Quantum mechanics poised to give us a wholly new modern world.” The late Nobel laureate Richard Feynman famously said that If you think you understand quantum mechanics then you don’t understand quantum mechanics. That was back in 1964 but “it’s still absolutely true” confirms UCD’s Dr Steve Campbell, of the mysterious branch of physics that deals with subatomic particles and energy.
"Will ChatGPT transform radiology?"\nDr Brendan Kelly said that experimenting with ChatGPT4-Vision\'s accuracy at assessing disease progression in multiple sclerosis MRI scans was the first time he worried about whether artificial intelligence could take his job as a radiologist. \n Dr Brendan Kelly
"Will ChatGPT transform radiology?" Dr Brendan Kelly said that experimenting with ChatGPT4-Vision's accuracy at assessing disease progression in multiple sclerosis MRI scans was the first time he worried about whether artificial intelligence could take his job as a radiologist.
\'Lab-on-a-chip\' science using nanomedicine\n\n“I firmly believe that nanomedicine will play a significant role in disease prevention," says Dr Nan Zhang, Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at UCD. Dr Nan Zhang
'Lab-on-a-chip' science using nanomedicine “I firmly believe that nanomedicine will play a significant role in disease prevention," says Dr Nan Zhang, Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at UCD.
Platelet research by Dr Daniel O’Reilly targets preterm infections\n\nDr Daniel O\'Reilly is a PhD student in the Conway Sphere research group in UCD. His work examines the activation of platelets in the blood to identify preterm babies who will develop infections. Dr Daniel O'Reilly
Platelet research by Dr Daniel O’Reilly targets preterm infections Dr Daniel O'Reilly is a PhD student in the Conway Sphere research group in UCD. His work examines the activation of platelets in the blood to identify preterm babies who will develop infections.
"Personal accounts of crisis should build mental health policy & practice"\n\nFor her PhD, Dr Emma Farrell conducted in-depth interviews with 27 university students who experienced a mental health crisis, piecing together their lives from the origin of their distress through their lowest moments to eventual recovery. Dr Emma Farrell
"Personal accounts of crisis should build mental health policy & practice" For her PhD, Dr Emma Farrell conducted in-depth interviews with 27 university students who experienced a mental health crisis, piecing together their lives from the origin of their distress through their lowest moments to eventual recovery.
Smartwatch health data a “massive opportunity” for researchers\n\n“There is a ‘falls detection’ feature on the Apple Watch. If you have a fall the accelerometer and the gyroscope data within the watch will prompt the alert: ‘Do you need me to call emergency services?’ That is potentially very powerful.” Dr. Cailbhe Doherty
Smartwatch health data a “massive opportunity” for researchers “There is a ‘falls detection’ feature on the Apple Watch. If you have a fall the accelerometer and the gyroscope data within the watch will prompt the alert: ‘Do you need me to call emergency services?’ That is potentially very powerful.”
Advancing CT scan technology using 3D printed patient surrogates and AI\n\nLegend has it that The Beatles’ success helped to fund one of the greatest medical advances of the last century, when their record label EMI invested in research resulting in the computed tomography (CT) machine. Dr. Irene Hernandez
Advancing CT scan technology using 3D printed patient surrogates and AI Legend has it that The Beatles’ success helped to fund one of the greatest medical advances of the last century, when their record label EMI invested in research resulting in the computed tomography (CT) machine.
From wind tunnels to computer simulations: climate resilient design\n\nLast January 15th, high winds toppled a ‘big rig’ truck on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge at rush hour. Luckily no casualties were reported, other than the thousands of commuters inconvenienced by hours-long delays. Dr. Jennifer Keenahan
From wind tunnels to computer simulations: climate resilient design Last January 15th, high winds toppled a ‘big rig’ truck on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge at rush hour. Luckily no casualties were reported, other than the thousands of commuters inconvenienced by hours-long delays.
“Evidence shows technology can improve mental health and wellbeing.”\n\nDr Kevin Doherty is Assistant Professor of Human Computer Interaction in UCD. His research focuses on the design and development of new and improved health and mental healthcare technologies. Dr Kevin Doherty
“Evidence shows technology can improve mental health and wellbeing.” Dr Kevin Doherty is Assistant Professor of Human Computer Interaction in UCD. His research focuses on the design and development of new and improved health and mental healthcare technologies.
“Atherosclerosis is the silent killer of the 21st century.”\n\n“Atherosclerosis is called the silent killer of the 21st century and it silently killed my father two years ago,” she says, of the disease caused by a build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances, known as plaque, on the artery walls. Dr. Monica de Gaetano
“Atherosclerosis is the silent killer of the 21st century.” “Atherosclerosis is called the silent killer of the 21st century and it silently killed my father two years ago,” she says, of the disease caused by a build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances, known as plaque, on the artery walls.
Repairing children’s skull injuries with 3D resorbable magnesium implants\n\nAccording to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, most skull fractures in children happen “when children are playing”, like falls from playground equipment. Surgery may be needed for a serious fracture if the bones have moved or there are any fragments. Dr. Mert Celikin
Repairing children’s skull injuries with 3D resorbable magnesium implants According to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, most skull fractures in children happen “when children are playing”, like falls from playground equipment. Surgery may be needed for a serious fracture if the bones have moved or there are any fragments.
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