Trinity Engineering Research and Innovation Showcase 2026 Celebrates Collaboration, Creativity and Impact

Building on the strong foundations of its inaugural Showcase in 2025, this year’s event brought energy, insight and a strong sense of shared purpose, highlighting the breadth of research and design activity across the School and the importance of collaboration with industry. 

The School extends its sincere thanks to all presenters, participants, staff and students whose work and commitment made the day such a positive and engaging experience. Appreciation is also extended to the many industry guests whose contributions added depth, perspective and opportunity throughout the programme. 

A special acknowledgement goes to Professor Tríona Lally, Director of Industrial Engagement, whose leadership, organisation and enthusiasm were central to the success of the Showcase.

Left to Right: Lisa Dillon, Provost Dr Linda Doyle, Prof Anil Kokaram, Prof Tríona Lally, Prof Kevin Kelly, Prof Harun Šiljak 

Opening the Showcase 

The day began with opening remarks introduced by Professor Tríona Lally, setting the tone for a programme focused on research, collaboration and impact. 

Professor Anil Kokaram, Head of the School of Engineering, welcomed attendees from across academia and industry, emphasising the importance of coming together to share work, exchange ideas and recognise the strength of research taking place within the School. 

Dr Linda Doyle, Provost and President of Trinity College Dublin, spoke to the importance of research and innovation not just within the University, but for Ireland, Europe and the wider global community. Her remarks underlined the value of strong partnerships between academia and industry in addressing shared challenges. 

Lisa Dillon, Industry Advisory Board member and industry guest, reflected on her connection to Trinity as an Engineering graduate and shared compelling examples of how academic and industry collaboration can lead to meaningful innovation and impact. 

Dr. Harun Šiljak, Kinsella Assistant Professor, introducing the Postdoctoral Research Session

Postdoctoral Research Showcase 

The Postdoctoral Research Showcase, led by Dr Harun Šiljak, provided a strong view of the research currently underway across the School. 

The session highlighted the role of postdoctoral researchers in advancing new ideas, building interdisciplinary links and shaping future research directions. It offered attendees an opportunity to engage with emerging work across a range of areas and see how early-stage concepts are developing into impactful research. 

We thank the Postdoctoral Research Showcase presenters for sharing their work:

• Dr Danilo Lelin Li
  Channel Estimation using 5G Sounding Reference Signals: A Delay-Doppler Domain Approach
• Dr Anita Ortega
  Smart Home Energy Management for Enhanced Renewable Integration: Insights from the RevRenew Project
• Dr Maria Vittoria Mascolini
  From experimental biomechanics to predictive modelling for artificial sphincter–urethra interaction
• Dr Harry Smith
  Personalised Cost and Carbon Savings as a Behavioural Nudge for Electric Vehicle Adoption in Ireland

Professor Sarah Mc Cormack, Professor In Sustainable Energy, introducing the PhD Research Session

PhD Research Showcase 

Led by Professor Sarah McCormack, the PhD Research Showcase demonstrated the depth and quality of doctoral research within Trinity Engineering. 

Many of the projects presented are developed in collaboration with industry partners, reflecting the close connection between research and real-world application. The session showcased the next generation of researchers tackling complex challenges across engineering disciplines. 

We thank the PhD Research Showcase presenters for sharing their work:

• Abdulbaset Alazhare
  Machine Learning-Assisted Forecasting for Wind Farm Control in Large Eddy Simulation
• Aoife Igoe
  Flood Forecasting with AI
• Jialiang Zhu
  Advanced Waveform Design for the 6th Generation Wireless Networks
• Bhavana Pulipak
  Investigation into Device-tissue Interactions in Cerebrovascular Tissue to Provide Fundamental Insights for Device Development

Professor Caitríona (Tríona) Lally, Professor in Bioengineering, introducing the Industry Engagement Session

Industry Engagement Session 

A key highlight of the day was the Industry Engagement Session, led by Professor Tríona Lally, which focused on how collaboration between Trinity Engineering and industry partners is put into practice. 

The session featured two research presentations rooted in industry collaboration: 

• Luke Guerin (PhD researcher) presented work carried out with Boston Scientific, exploring advanced modelling techniques for predicting structural damage in biological materials 

• Shane Murphy (research assistant) presented research undertaken with Gas Networks Ireland, examining approaches to support Ireland’s net-zero targets through analysis of existing energy infrastructure and hydrogen as an alternative energy source. 

The programme also included a spotlight on successful Trinity spin-out company Nexalus, presented by Professor Tony Robinson, alongside a funding overview delivered by Professor Garret O’Donnell, which included insights into Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund activity. 

Sinéad Pentony (Trinity Development and Alumni) provided an overview of philanthropic opportunities linked to the School, further highlighting the range of ways in which external partners can engage with Trinity Engineering. 

Together, these contributions provided a clear and practical view of how collaboration supports innovation across research, commercialisation and funding. 

Professor Ciaran Simms, Professor in Biomechanics, presenting the School EDI Update

EDI Showcase

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Showcase, led by Professor Ciaran Simms, Director of EDI, brought an important perspective to the day. 

The session focused on the importance of ensuring engineering is accessible to all and highlighted the significant progress made across the School. This includes achieving and renewing the Bronze Athena Swan Award, with a clear ambition to progress to Silver in the next phase. 

It was a thoughtful and positive contribution to the Showcase, reflecting the School’s ongoing commitment to building an inclusive and supportive environment. 

Professor Kevin Kelly, Associate Professor, introducing the Undergraduate Design Project Session

Undergraduate Design Project Showcase

The Showcase concluded with the Undergraduate Design Project Showcase, led by Professor Kevin Kelly, offering a strong demonstration of student talent and creativity. 

Design is central to engineering education at Trinity, and these projects illustrated how students bring together technical knowledge, creativity and teamwork across all years of study. Many projects are developed in collaboration with external stakeholders, including industry and community partners, providing valuable experience in addressing real-world challenges. 

As Ireland’s top-ranked School of Engineering (QS World University Subject Rankings 2026), Trinity continues to place strong emphasis on preparing students for the demands of modern engineering practice. 

Looking ahead

The Research and Innovation Showcase 2026 captured the full spectrum of activity within Trinity Engineering, from undergraduate design to postdoctoral research and industry collaboration. 

The day was marked by strong engagement, open discussion and a shared focus on the future of engineering research and practice. 

As the School continues to build on this momentum, we welcome opportunities to work with new and existing partners. If you are interested in collaborating with Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering - whether through research partnerships, internships, Industry PhD programmes or other initiatives - please get in touch with Professor Tríona Lally, Director of Industrial Engagement, or Sarah O’Brien, Industry Liaison Officer. 

The School looks forward to continuing these conversations and to welcoming participants again for the next Showcase.