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 27 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.

- 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 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 14 PhDs and 96 MEngSc, and mentored 6 Post-Doctorates. Currently supervising 2 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 is supervises 4 ME Research projects in PCE. 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.