PhD Research Students
The School of Mathematics and Physics have a large and diverse PhD student body who contribute enormously to the vibrant research culture of the school. To view the profiles of our students, please click on the links below.
Research Centres
Armagh Observatory & Planetarium
Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage
Centre for Nanostructured Media
Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Mathematical Science Research Centre
Armagh Observatory & Planetarium
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo Galán de Anta | The Fragility of Nuclear and kpc-scale Galactic Discs against Mergers | Dr Marc Sarzi | Dr Massimo Dotti (University Milano-Bicocca), Dr Lorenzo Posti (University of Groningen) |
| Kerem Osman Çubu |
CO Mapping the Southern Galactic Plane |
Prof Michael G. Burton | Dr Marc Sarzi |
| Jeremy Rigney |
Stellar Flare Observations with the International LOFAR Telescope |
Prof. Peter Gallagher (DIAS) and Prof. Gerry Doyle (Armagh), Prof. Michail Mathioudakis (QUB) |
Dr. Eoin Carley (DIAS) and Dr. Gavin Ramsay Armagh) |
Astrophysics Research Centre
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Frequency Waves in the Solar Atmosphere | Prof. Mihalis Mathioudakis | ||
| Exploring the Relics of Planet Formation: The Kuiper Belt Colour/Composition Connection | Prof. Alan Fitzsimmons | ||
| Fionntán Callan | Supernovae: Theoretical Modelling of Light Curves and Spectra | ||
| Ryan Campell | Small-scale transverse magnetic fields in the quiet internetwork solar photosphere | Prof. Mihalis Mathioudakis | |
| Christopher Dillion | Solar Physics with Biomedical Applications: Revealing the hidden science of the Sun | Prof. David Jess | |
| Matthew Dobson | From the Centaurs to the Inner Oort Cloud: Exploring the Kuiper Belt Connection | Dr Megan Schwamb | |
| Caitlin Gilchrist-Millar | The Atmospheric Response to Oscillations Within Solar Magnetic Pores | Prof. David Jess | |
| Andrew Fraser Gillan |
Spectroscopy and Photometry of Active Comets |
Prof. Alan Fitzsimmons | Dr Megan Schwamb |
| Jarod Gouldie | Relativistic Dirac R-matrix photoionisation calculations through to their implementation with stellar opacity codes |
Dr Connor Balance | Dr Stuart Sim |
| Harry Greatorex |
Multi-Wavelength Observations of Solar Flares |
Dr Ryan Milligan | Prof. Mihalis Mathioudakis |
| David Jackson |
Terra Hunting-Extreme Precision Mass-Measurements of Earth-like Worlds |
Prof. Christopher Watson |
Dr Ernst de Mooij |
| Conor MacBride |
Energy Dissipation in Solar Physics |
Prof. David Jess |
Prof. Mihalis Mathioudakis |
| Matthew McCollum | Fast optical transients in wide-field surveys: giant flares and extragalactic searches | Prof. Stephen Smartt | Prof. Christopher Watson |
| Shaun McLaughlin |
Multi-Wavelength Observations of Solar Flares |
Dr Ryan Milligan | |
| Aaron Monson |
Photospheric Flare Diagnostics |
Prof. Mihalis Mathioudakis | Dr Ryan Milligan |
| Sean O'Brien | Crowd-Sourced Applications to the Next-Generation Transit Survey | Dr Megan Schwamb | Prof. Christopher Watson |
| Scott Robinson |
High-Resolution Characterisation of Exoplanet Atmospheres |
Dr Ernst de Mooij | Prof. Christopher Watson |
| Richard Smith | Binary Transneptunian Objects in the Hubble Space Telescope Archive | Prof. Alan Fitzsimmons | Dr Wesley Fraser |
Atomistic Simulation Centre
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher McCooey | Electron and Nuclei in Nanowires | Dr. Tchavdar Todorov | Dr. Daniel Dundas |
| Sam Shepherd |
Machine Learning for Aqueous Interfaces |
||
| Orla Surgeoner |
Quantum Interactions in Nanostructures |
Dr. Tchavdar Todorov | Dr. Myrta Gruening |
Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
|
Name of Student |
PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title |
University of Glasgow Supervisor |
Queen's University Belfast Supervisor |
| Mahmoud Ahtaiba | Integrated quantum photonic sensors and circuits | Prof Robert Hadfield | Dr Amit Kumar |
|
Hybrid Integrated Silicon Photonic Transceiver |
Prof John Marsh, Dr. Lianping Hou, Dr. Hadi Heidari | Dr. Bob Pollard | |
|
Plasmonic Antennas for Extreme Light Concentration and Harvesting |
Prof Marc Sorel | Dr Fumin Huang | |
| Sia Andersson | Hybrid optical components for advanced quantum systems | Prof John Marsh | Prof Robert Bowman |
| Nanoscale Photo-conductivity in Ferroelectrics | Dr Amit Kumar | ||
| Anna Casey |
Measuring THz radiation |
Dr. Matteo Clerici | |
|
Spintronic Behaviour in Conducting Domain Walls |
Dr. Ian Maclaren | Prof Marty Gregg | |
| Lauren Connell |
Reprogrammable Micromagnetic Transport |
Prof Marc Sorel |
Dr. Solveig Felton |
| Emma Crothers | |||
|
Ab Initio Design of Plasmonic Materials |
Dr. Lorenzo Stella , Dr. Myrta Grūning | ||
| John Fullerton | Ultra-Advanced Characterisation Studies of Three-Dimensional Spintronic Nanocircuits | Dr. Amalio Fernandez-Pacheco | |
| Hristo Gergov |
Exploring 3D Nanopatterned Structures Fabricated by Plasma FIB |
Prof Stephen McVitie | Dr. Solveig Felton |
| Christopher Gough |
Heterogeneous integration of III-V lasers to optical waveguides |
Prof Marc Sorel | Prof Robert Bowman |
|
Novel Nanophotonic Devices: From Concepts to Applications |
Prof Robert Hadfield | ||
|
GaN blue lasers for photonic integration |
Prof Anthony Kelly | Prof Robert Bowman | |
| Measuring photon pairs | Dr. Matteo Clerici | ||
|
Molecule Based Magnets |
Dr. Solveig Felton | ||
|
Thermal Behaviour of Nanostructured Magnetic Materials |
Prof Stephen McVitie | Dr. Solveig Felton | |
| Characterisation of integrated photonic chips | Prof Marc Sorel | ||
| Skyrmions in Synthetic Antiferromagnetic Multilayer Structures | Prof Stephen McVitie | ||
| Christopher Lambert |
High thermal stability plasmonic materials – beyond noble metals – for HAMR antennae |
Dr. Donald Maclaren | Prof Robert Bowman |
| Will Lee | |||
|
Novel Materials Synthesis for HAMR Plasmonics |
Prof Robert Hadfield | Prof Robert Bowman | |
| Hugh Littlehailes | Intermetallic plasmonic antennas | Dr. Donald Maclaren | Dr Fumin Huang |
| Development of 25Gbit/s distributed feedback (DFB) laser devices | Prof Anthony Kelly | Prof Marty Gregg | |
|
Development of a multispectral laser scanner in silicon photonics |
Prof Marc Sorel | Dr Amit Kumar | |
| Making and characterising atomic scale 1D P-N junctions for nanoscale logic gates | Dr. Ian Maclaren | Prof Marty Gregg | |
|
Structure and Ferroic Ordering at Conducting Domain Walls |
Prof Marc Sorel | ||
|
Integration of Novel Materials for Improved HAMR 3.0 ADC and Reliability |
Marcus Mooney, Seagate | Prof Robert Bowman | |
| Advanced epitaxial solutions for compound semiconductor component integration | Prof Marc Sorel | Prof Robert Bowman | |
| Advanced materials for photonic integration | Prof Marc Sorel | Prof Robert Bowman | |
|
Bringing Ab-Initio Design Into the Lab: Temperature Dependence of Plasmonic Response |
Dr. Lorenzo Stella , Dr. Myrta Grūning | ||
| Thomas O'Connor | Boron containing alloys of III-Nitride semiconductors for Ultraviolet emission |
Dr. Stefan Schulz Tyndall National Institute, UCC |
|
|
Exploring domain cross-talk and cycling effects in polycrystalline ferroics |
Dr. Damien McGrouther | Dr. Miryam Arredondo-Arechavala | |
| Nicola Parry | Passive waveguide development for integration of GaN laser devices | Prof Anthony Kelly | |
| Serene Pauly | Direct nanoscale mapping of plasmonic heating in nanostructures for HAMR | Dr Amit Kumar | Dr. Donald Maclaren |
| High power single mode Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) | Prof Richard Hogg, Dr. Evgeny Zibik Zürich | ||
| Peter Read | Next Generation Laser Development | Prof Anthony Kelly | |
|
Manipulation and Exploitation of the Dynamic Processes of Skyrmions |
Dr. Damien McGrouther,Prof Stephen McVitie | ||
|
Novel Materials Synthesis for HAMR Plasmonics |
Prof Robert Hadfield | Prof Robert Bowman | |
|
Integrated Photonic Devices for Smart Gas Sensors |
Prof Marc Sorel | ||
| The effect high temperatures have on plasmonic functionality | Dr. Donald Maclaren | ||
| Nicholas Stephen |
Investigating GaAs metamorphic lasers |
Dr Emanuule Pelucchi Tyndall National Institute, UCC | Dr Miryam Arredondo-Arechavala |
Centre for Plasma Physics
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asmaa Mohammad S Ali |
Respiratory Motion Management during radiation therapy |
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| Niall Cavanagh |
Strong Field Quantum Electrodynamics Experiments at SLAC |
Prof. Gianluca Sarri | |
| Matthew Charlwood |
Photo-ionised Plasmas in the Laboratory |
Prof. David Riley |
|
| Conor Fegan |
Proton Radiography Investigations of Laser-Plasma Interaction Dynamics in High-Intensity Regimes |
Dr. Colin Brown (AWE) |
|
| Colm Fitzpatrick |
Applications of High Harmonics Generated from Intense Laser-Plasma Interactions |
Prof. Brendan Dromey | Dr Mark Yeung |
| Kyle Fleck |
High-Field Quantum Electrodynamics in the Field of an Intense Laser |
Prof. Gianluca Sarri | Prof. Marco Borghesi |
| Benjamin Greenwood |
Compact, laser-driven ion beamlines for interdisciplinary applications |
||
| Fayza Adel Hanafy Hassan |
Spectroscopic investigation of cold technological plasmas |
Dr. Thomas Field | Prof. David Riley |
| Chloe Ho |
Compact, high brightness neutron beamline using intense lasers |
Dr. Satyabrata Kar | Prof. Marco Borghesi, Dr. Rob Clarke(CLF) |
| Jonathan Kennedy | Ultrabright Sources of Attosecond Pulses | Dr Mark Yeung | |
|
Laboratory Astrophysics using High Repetition Rate Lasers |
|||
| Sinéad A. Mannion |
Validation of Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jets using Finite Element Analysis |
Dr. Thomas Field | Prof. David Riley |
| Conor McAnespie |
The applications of laser-driven particle accelerators for ultra-high dose-rate radiotherapy |
Prof. Gianluca Sarri | Dr Stephen McMahon |
| Sean McCallum |
Calorimetry techniques for absolute dosimetry of laser-driven ion beams |
Prof. Marco Borghesi | Dr. Francesco Romano (NPL/INFN), Dr. Anna Subiel (NPL) |
| Orla McCusker |
Laser-driven acceleration and control of high energy ion beams |
||
| Carla McDonnell |
Characterising an atmospheric pressure helium plasma jet |
Prof. David Riley | Dr. Thomas Field |
| Aaron McNamee |
Proton-Boron Nuclear Fusion Studies in Laser-Generated Plasma for Future Ultraclean Energy Production |
Dr Daniele Margarone | Dr. Satyabrata Kar |
| Daniel Molloy |
Laser Driven proton-Boron Fusion for Future Ultra-clean Energy Production |
Dr Daniele Margarone | Prof. Marco Borghesi |
| Boris Odlozilik |
Biological effects of laser-accelerated proton bursts |
Prof. Kevin M. Prise | |
| Jyotirup Sarma |
Ion Acceleration and Related Phenomena in Laser Plasma Interaction |
||
| Daniel Simpson |
Advanced Diagnostics of Low and Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas |
Dr Thomas Gilmore (Impedance) | |
| Rachel E. Smith |
Ultrafast Lensless Imaging in the Extreme-Ultraviolet |
Dr Mark Yeung | Prof. Brendan Dromey |
Centre for Nanostructured Media
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia Baxter |
Engineering and mapping entropy changes at the nanoscale in oxide materials |
Dr. Raymond McQuaid | Prof. Marty Gregg |
| Jesi Maguire |
Novel Functional Behaviour in Nanoscale Ferroelectrics |
Prof. Marty Gregg | Dr. Raymond McQuaid |
| Conor McCluskey |
Investigation of topological defects in ferroelectrics |
Dr. Raymond McQuaid | |
| Matthew McMaster |
Engineering shielding response of NiFe synthetic magnetic structures for high frequency application |
Prof. Robert Bowman | Dr Solveig Felton |
| Tamsin O' Reilly |
Exploring domain cross-talk and cycling effects in polycrystalline ferroics |
Dr Miryam Arredondo-Arechavala | Dr Damien McGrouther |
|
Ferroelastic Domain Dynamics by In-Situ Techniques |
Dr Miryam Arredondo-Arechavala | Prof. Marty Gregg | |
|
Ferroelectric domain wall memristors as artificial synapses |
Prof. Marty Gregg | Dr. Amit Kumar |
Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Barr |
Machine learning-enhanced diagnostics of open quantum networks |
Dr Alessandro Ferraro | Dr John McAllister |
| Sheron Blair |
Universal resources for quantum information processing over continuous variables |
Dr Alessandro Ferraro | Prof. Mauro Paternostro |
| Jack Cassidy |
Many-body Theory of Positron Interactions with Molecules |
Dr. Dermot Green | Dr. Myrta Grüning |
| Andrew Conroy |
Calculation of electron-impact excitation cross-sections for neutral iron-peak species |
Dr. Catherine Ramsbottom | Prof. Francis Keenan |
| Jarod Gouldie |
Relativistic Dirac R-matrix photoionisation calculations through to their implementation with stellar opacity |
Dr Connor Balance | Dr Stuart Sim |
| Sarah Gregg |
Theory of positron interactions with molecules / condensed matter and related processes |
Dr. Dermot Green | Dr. Myrta Grüning |
| Jaroslav Hofierka |
Many-Body Theory of Positron Interactions |
Dr. Myrta Grüning | |
| Lynda Hutcheson |
Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Relativistic Processes |
Dr. Andrew Brown | Prof. Hugo van der Hart |
| Heather Leitch |
Heat Transport in Quantum Devices |
Dr Gabriele De Chiara | |
| Peter McConnell |
Generation of Non Gaussian states for emerging Quantum technologies |
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| Luke Roantree |
Attosecond Spin-Orbit Spectroscopy |
Dr. Andrew Brown | Prof. Hugo van der Hart |
|
Ultracold Quantum Thermo-machines |
Prof. Mauro Paternostro | Dr Gabriele De Chiara |
Mathematical Science Research Centre
| Name of Student | PhD Research Theme or PhD Thesis Title | Principal Supervisor | Secondary Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia Adair |
Employing Data Analytics to inform the development of innovative Cost-Effectiveness Cancer Screening Models in the COVID-19 era |
Prof Mark Lawler, Dr. Ethna McFerran | |
| Melanie Campell |
Everything Changes Over Time: Transforming Joint Modelling Methodology |
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| Karys Dickson |
Accretive Operators |
Dr. Petr Siegl | |
| Dulan Dias |
Artificial Intelligence as a Health Intervention for Managing Patient Discharge Decision Processes |
Prof Adele Marshall | Dr Aleksandar Novakovic |
| Jonathan Henderson |
Point Pattern Analysis of Retinal Ganglion Cell loss in Glaucoma |
Dr Andrea Munaro | |
| Miao Hu |
Knowledge graph embedding and domain adaptation learning |
Prof Adele Marshall | |
| Nathan Kirk |
Uniform Distribution in Compact Topological Groups with Application to Quasi-Monte Carlo Integration |
Dr Florian Pausinger | Dr Ying-Fen Lin |
| Tasha Montgomery |
Algebraic K-theory of projective spaces associated with strongly graded rings. |
Prof Ivan Todorov | |
| Donal O’Cofaigh |
Linear Preservers |
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| Michael Rosbotham |
Cohomological Dimensions for C*-algebras |
Dr Martin Mathieu | Dr Gabriele De Chiara |
| Niall Taggart |
Unitary Homotopy Calculus |
Dr. David Barnes | |
| Zachary Waller |
Combining machine learning and casual inference to predict cardiovascular disease for use in decision model |
Dr. Felicity Lamrock | |
| Shizhou Yang |
Mim-width |
Dr Andrea Munaro | |
| Emel Yavuz |
Equivariant Orthogonal Calculus |
Dr. David Barnes | Dr. Lisa McFetridge |