Mr Ryan Brennan

Ryan is a Research Assistant in the Plant-Soil Biogeochemistry Group, working with Dr Richard Nair since October 2025. His current work focuses on root phenology and soil respiration, combining data from automated minirhizotrons, soil respiration systems and eddy covariance measurements to understand how belowground processes contribute to ecosystem carbon fluxes.

Ryan holds a BA in Environmental Sciences (2023) and an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation (2024), both from Trinity. His BA research examined corticolous lichen community structure in an urban park, and his MSc investigated how airborne PM2.5 pollution relates to the density of lichen reproductive structures across Dublin parks.

Alongside his research role, Ryan is passionate about studying lichens wherever he may find them. He is a member of the British Lichen Society, the International Association for Lichenology and the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland.

Links 

Research Group: https://www.tcd.ie/botany/research-/research-groups/plant-soil-biogeochemistry/