Research Interests
Open to PhD applications in the field of
ASTROPHYSICS:
(1) Instrument development for high-resolution studies of the Sun, including the optical design of integral field units (IFUs), the modelling and calibration of polarisation optics, and the design of novel gratings (including holographic filters) to improve the spectral resolution of the final instrument.
(2) Exploitation of high-resolution observations of the Sun's atmosphere to probe the dynamic wave activity found in the lower layers of its atmosphere. In particular, projects linked to highly magnetic structures (sunspots, pores, bright points, etc.) are available to enable the energies and dissipation mechanisms of wave activity to be investigated.
SPORTS SCIENCE:
(1) Large scale statistical benchmarking of cardiovascular signals from elite athletes that inform coaching staff of real-time fatigue levels and dangers of injury.
(2) Machine learning and the development of AI approaches to forward model match situations to help coaching staff gain tactical advantages over their opposition.
(3) Longitudinal modelling of season-long statistical signatures to help provide benefits to athlete endurance and identify warning signs of injury risks and chronic fatigue.
(4) Identification of the statistical pre-cursors of elite athletes by examining the development and growth of youth players and monitoring their metrics as they reach the elite standards of sport.
Current Research Opportunities
Public outreach & key achievements
Research students
| PhD Title | Revealing the Physics of Rugby Collisions |
| Name | Jack Brown |
| Country | UK |
| Year of Study | 2024 - 2027 |
| PhD Title | The evolution of force-velocity and ballistic power metrics as an indicator of sprint fatigue |
| Name | Eamon McGleenan |
| Country | Ireland |
| Year of Study | 2023 - 2026 |
| PhD Title | Wave Motion in Small Scale Features in the Lower Solar Atmosphere |
| Name | William Bate |
| Country | UK |
| Year of Study | 2020 - 2024 |
Alumni: Where are they now
| PhD Title | Wave and Energy Characterisation in the Atmosphere of Sunspots |
| Name | Conor MacBride |
| Year of Study | 2019 - 2023 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Current Position | Data Scientist at Allstate |
| PhD Title | Magnetoacoustic Wave Dynamics in the Atmosphere of Solar Active Regions |
| Name | Caitlin Gilchrist-Millar |
| Year of Study | 2019 - 2022 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Current Position | Directed Energy Systems Architect at Thales |
| PhD Title | High Resolution Wave Signatures in the Magnetic Solar Atmosphere |
| Name | Dr Samuel Grant |
| Year of Study | 2013 - 2017 |
| Country | UK |
| Current Position | Lecturer at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà Belfast |
Discover More
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- School of Mathematics and Physics
- Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC)