Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
Maria Sousa Gallagher is a Professor and Principal Investigator in Process & Chemical Engineering (PCE), School of Engineering & Architecture at University College Cork (UCC). With extensive experience spanning over 30 years, she serves as Academic and Principal Investigator across various institutes, focusing on food and environmental research. Prof. Sousa Gallagher’s expertise's encompass Manufacturing Competitiveness, advancing the Circular economy and Sustainable Development Goals through innovative engineering systems, integrating processing Technologies and novel materials.
Currently she is Co-Director of SUSFERM, Centre for Sustainable Fermentation and Bioprocessing Systems for Food and the Bioeconomy, and the academic vice-director for the MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing. She was director of the PG Diploma and Masters in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering (2016-2021), led and coordinated numerous minor research thesis, and lecturer in biopharmaceutical Engineering.
Prof. Sousa Gallagher has led and/or been involved in 30 successful competitive Research Grants, internationally, in European programmes (INTERREG-AA, ERAMIN2, FP7, CRAFT, INCO, ALFA, FAIR, AAIR), and nationally (FIRM, EI, PC, C+) and at a fundamental and applied level. Her work involved collaborative innovative projects with several international and national research groups, several international companies and the Irish industry. She was Co-PI for Pack-in-MAP® licence, and the Spin-out company with EI PC and C+ funds. She was also the coordinator and chief investigator in EU ERA‐MIN2 RecEOL, and a partner and PI, on the EU Interreg-AA SEAFOODAGE.
Research Interests
Professor Sousa-Gallagher's overarching goals have been developing sustainable engineering systems by integrating processes for the Circular economy (Biological and Technical) and building sustainable systems of tomorrow.
Currently her research interests encompass 3 major strategic areas:
1. Manufacturing Competitiveness and Circular Economy: Quality by Design and data analyses for pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical, food/biochemical system; Risktools and engineering aspects in food distribution, Integrative mathematical modelling of processing systems.
2. Sustainable Environmental Technologies: Novel and efficient recycling process for composite material (tyre, printed circuit board, plastics, etc) combining pyrolysis with sink-float separation;
3. Sustainable Processing Technologies and Novel Materials : integrated processes for the circular economy; novel materials; engineering packaging design & optimisation; packaging properties needs for respiring and non-respiring products; quality and shelf-life estimation.
Current PhD Students
- Professor Sousa-Gallagher is currently Academic Vice-Director for MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing.
- Director Masters and PG Diploma in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering (2016-21). Lead, coordinating Part II (Minor Research Thesis), supervised 88 industry-based MRT (60 MRT on the last 5 years).
- Professor Sousa-Gallagher supervised to completion over 100 postgraduates students, including 15 PhDs and 101 MEngSc, and mentored 6 Post-Doctorates. Currently supervising 1 PhDs. Leading, coordinating and supervising BE Research project and ME Research Thesis in Process & Chemical Engineering (PCE). Supervised more than 100 BE Final Year Research Projects.
- Currently supervising 1 employment-based PhD, and 3 MEngSc Research Dissertations.
- Coordinator and Academic Mentor of Process & Chemical Engineering Industry Work Placement Programme, since 2002. Responsible for selecting and mentoring the best Process & Chemical Engineering student for the Joe Gantly Prize in Engineering. The Joe Gantly award recognises the contribution to Cork’s business community, and is awarded by Cork Chamber of Commerce to the best overall engineering student on work placement.
|
Year |
Student Name |
Degree |
Thesis Title |
|
2026 |
Carlos Belloch Molina |
PhD in Microbiology (co-supervisor) |
Strategies to design bioprocesses for sustainable yeast-based production of recombinant proteins and bioproducts |
|
2026 |
Cathal Gearoid Brady |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Optimizing Oxygen Transfer in a 15K Bioreactor: Impact of Sparger and Agitator Design on kLa and Cell Culture Performance |
|
2026 |
Aoife Helen Sweetnam |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Evaluate the implementation of selected viral technologies for downstream process optimisation |
|
2026 |
Seán Joseph Henchion |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Evaluate the feasibility and impacts of integrating perfusion technology into single-use bioreactors for clinical manufacturing |
|
2026 |
Mark David Skuce |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
MSD Building 8 Engineering Buffer Process Optimization Project |
|
2026 |
James Wilson O’Callaghan |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Development of a Dashboard for Real-Time RTMS Data Visualization in Process Engineering |
|
2025 |
Katie Ryan |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Optimising Bioprocess Performance for Higher Titre Production through Sparging and N-1 Perfusion Techniques |
|
2025 |
Leah O’Regan |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Optimisation of process monitoring using process analytical technologies |
|
2025 |
Gemma McCarthy |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Investigation into Foaming Formation in Perfusion Bioreactors |
|
2025 |
Emily Roche |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
High-Titre Solutions: A Comparative Study of Centrifuge Technologies in Biopharma Production |
|
2025 |
Eoghan McCarthy |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Investigation into Alternate Dosing Methods of Clean in Place (CIP) Skids |
|
2025 |
Mark Kenny |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Modelling and Predicting Cellular Growth in Bioreactors: Insights and Implications |
|
2025 |
Jody Sisk |
MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing |
Optimisation of a Bioprocess for Whey Permeate Valorisation using Kluyveromyces marxianus |
|
2025 |
Eleni Kapeti |
MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing |
Optimization of Mycoprotein Production using Potato Processing Waste: A Circular Bioeconomy Approach |
|
2025 |
Barry Ryan |
MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing |
Commissioning & Qualification of a Perfusion Bioreactor and TFF Skid System to Increase Cell Culture Capacity in a Multidrug Biotechnology Drug Substance Manufacturing Facility |
|
2024 |
Ina Bremenkamp |
PhD in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Sustainable Food Packaging Engineering |
|
2024 |
Adam James Carroll |
MEngSc in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing |
Moving Towards Optimisation and Sustainable Production of Docosahexaenoic Acid from Schizochytrium S31 |
|
2024 |
Brian O’Neill |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Bioreactors Operation: Investigation into The Commissioning and Qualification Process |
|
2024 |
Sibéal McGrath |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Effect of the Revised EU GMP Annex 1 Guidelines on the Manufacture of Biopharmaceuticals |
|
2024 |
Cathal Bane |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Intermittent Failures of BIs during Gas Cycle Development complete |
|
2023 |
Fiona Luttrell |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Single-Pass Tangential Flow Filtration (SPTFF) for the Production of High Final Concentration Biopharmaceuticals |
|
2023 |
George Dwyer |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Buffer Production Optimisation |
|
2023 |
Jill Donegan |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Optimising Harvest and Clarification for Biopharmaceutical Production |
|
2023 |
Sean Devereaux-Heddon |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Feasibility study for the introduction of biopharmaceutical ‘Product A’ to a semi-automated packaging line |
|
2023 |
Neil Kenny |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Custom Equipment Replacement with Minimal Downtime |
|
2023 |
Gerard John O’Connell |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Evaluation into the use of Movement Bed Biofilm Reactor for commercial wastewater treatment |
|
2022 |
Julian Power |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Evaluation into use of multi-product Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration skid in Biopharmaceutical downstream purification |
|
2022 |
Eoghan O’Leary |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Quality by Design within the Bioprocessing Sector |
|
2022 |
Ciarr O’Connor |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Applications and Treatment of Biopharmaceutical Wastewater Sludge at Janssen Sciences Ireland |
|
2022 |
Seán Anthony Kelly |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Use of Raman chemometric modelling as a process analytical technology (PAT) toll for optimising in-process monitoring |
|
2022 |
Bernadette O’Mahony |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Modularisation of Biopharmaceutical Cleanrooms in Facilities of the Future |
|
2022 |
James Delaney |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Single Use Technology & Perfusion Platforms to Replace Traditional Stainless Steel Fed Batch Platforms in the Biopharmaceutical Industry |
|
2022 |
Karl Preston |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Improvements across the Commissioning & Qualification of critical equipment and services in the Biopharmaceutical sector |
|
2022 |
Noel P. McLaughlin |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Water Removal from Pharmaceutical Processes by Pervaporation |
|
2021 |
Bill Sheehan |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Media Filtration optimization in the production of Vimizim |
|
2021 |
Josephine Fennell |
ME in Process & Chemical Engineering |
Constrained design methodology applied to a bio-based composite film |
|
2021 |
Peter A. O’Leary |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Phosphorus Reduction in Biopharmaceutical & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing |
|
2021 |
Ben Harte |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Membrane WFI Generation and Utilisation of point of use coolers |
|
2021 |
Caroline Barry |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
An Assessment of the Current Single-Use Technology Industry Trends and Application in the PCV Project |
|
2021 |
Teresa Gaire |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
WFI Capacity Expansion |
|
2021 |
Michael Bruton |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Study of WFI Generation Methods and Alternative Technologies |
|
2021 |
Michael Egan |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Application of Extended Reality in Life Sciences |
|
2021 |
Kevin Hayes |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
The Application of Side Discharge Valves in Multipurpose Pharmaceutical Operations |
|
2021 |
Alan Hayes |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Cleaning Validation of Blender / Packer |
|
2021 |
David Linnane |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Quality by design and PAT as an alternative approach to Quality by testing in Biopharmaceutical Cell Culture |
|
2021 |
Grace Ellen Kevany |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Clean Steam Generation: An Investigation into the Commissioning and Qualification Process |
|
2021 |
Khadija Mu’azzam |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Process Simulators towards virtual Digital Twins in the Biopharmaceutical Industry |
|
2021 |
Steven O’Reilly |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Technical Transfer of a New Product and Performance Qualification |
|
2021 |
Jessica Barrett |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Bioreactor Design and Scale Up Considerations for High-Titre Monoclonal Antibodies |
|
2021 |
Owen Fetherstonhaugh |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Optimisation of a Flue Gas Treatment System in the Waste to Energy Industry |
|
2021 |
Jason Homan |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
A Sustainability Study of Waste Methanol from an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Plant |
|
2020 |
Johnathan Walsh |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
A study into the benefits of an asset centric approach in the construction stage of the project life cycle |
|
2020 |
Louise Moran |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Reformulation of Denture Cleansing Tablets to Improve Tabletting Robustness |
|
2020 |
Eoin O’Sullivan |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Examining the Implementation of Commercial Scale Single Use Bioreactors for Bioprocessing Applications: A Comparative Analysis |
|
2020 |
Chris O’Donnell |
MEngSc in Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering |
Design of a Pharmaceutical Water Generation, Storage and Distribution System for a Biopharmaceutical Bulk Drug Substance Production Facility |
|
2019 |
Raghu V. G. Peddapatla |
PHD in Pharmacy |
A Study of Magnesium Sterate Behaviour in Pharmaceutical Blends and Tablets |
Research Grants
| Title of Project | Awarding Body | Amount Awarded | Grant Period |
| Smart and eco-innovative SEAFOOD processes and products for healthy AGEing (SEAFOOD-AGE) | EU-INTERREG Atlantic Area (WP leader, and UCC PI) | €2,926,187.90, UCC: €280,649 | May 2019- Oct 2022 |
| Recycling of End-of-Life Products (PCB, ASR, LCD) (RecEOL) | EU-ERAMIN2/GSI/EPA (IRE) (Coordinator, and UCC PI) | €1,299.163, UCC: €192,401.00 | June 2018- Oct 2021 |
UCC Futures (primary)
- Future of Sustainable Fermentation (SUSFERM)
Other research affiliations
- UCC Futures - Sustainability Institute
PhD Supervision
- Available for PhD supervision
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Acoustic monitoring of lubrication and compaction effects on tablet performance using broadband acoustic resonance dissolution spectroscopy
Peddapatla, R. V. G., Ahmed, M. R., Sousa-Gallagher, M. J., Kumar, R., McSweeney, S., Krüse, J., Fitzpatrick, D. & Crean, A. M., 6 Apr 2026, In: Molecular Pharmaceutics. 23, 4, p. 2319-2329Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Edible Coatings for Ready-to-Eat Products: Critical Review of Recent Studies, Sustainable Packaging Perspectives, Challenges and Emerging Trends
Bremenkamp, I. & Sousa Gallagher, M. J., Feb 2025, In: Polymers. 17, 3, 376.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
A roadmap for model-based bioprocess development
Mu'azzam, K., Santos da Silva, F. V., Murtagh, J. & Sousa Gallagher, M. J., 1 Jul 2024, In: Biotechnology Advances. 73, 108378.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Design and Development of an Edible Coating for a Ready-to-Eat Fish Product
Bremenkamp, I. & Sousa-Gallagher, M. J., Feb 2024, In: Polymers. 16, 3, 346.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Life cycle assessment methods for investigating novel food packaging systems
Bremenkamp, I. & Sousa Gallagher, M. J., 26 Aug 2024, In: Environmental Science: Advances. 3, 10, p. 1337-1350 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
- 1 Oral presentation
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Incorporation of encapsulated probiotics in a cereal bar: Viability assessment after food processing and during storage
Henriques, S. S. (Speaker), Sousa Gallagher, M. (Speaker), Barbosa, T. (Speaker) & Gomes, A. M. (Speaker)
6 Dec 2011 → 7 Dec 2011Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
Press/Media
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UCC awards celebrate excellence in research and innovation
Waeber, C., Nyhan, M., O'Neill, C., Cryan, J. F., O'Neill, M., Costello, E., Timmons, S., Holmes, J. D., Murphy, G., Ryan, K., Rosell Cardona, C., Brady, P., de Sousa Gallagher, M. J., Jaeger, H. A., Cantillon-Murphy, P., O'Hare, D., O'Toole, P., Yensi Alejandra, F. B., Alshaikh, R., Chakravarty, D., Palmer, B., Browne, O., Walter, J. & Hennessy, T.
28/05/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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