Shane O’Neill Ph.D.

Supporting Smart Reactors’ R&D pipeline with a focus on advancing next‑generation coating technologies for medical devices. Driving innovation from concept through development to address real unmet clinical needs.

• Developed a surface modification strategy for electrode of different carbon allotropes to immobilise a pH sensitive molecule for the investigation of variations in the local acidic environment. • Determined that changes in the pKa value of the immobilised molecule occurred when immobilised on sp2 based carbon glassy carbon (shift in pKa to larger value) and sp3 based carbon boron-doped diamond (shift in pKa value to smaller value). Reported in publication. • Thoroughly characterised electrode surfaces using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques including CV, EIS, Raman and SEM. • Developed programmes for the fabrication of various sized nanopipettes, an emerging technology for analytical uses. • Developed and optimised a surface modification framework strategy to allow for the immobilisation of a variety of species to the nanopipette surface including but not limited to small molecules, DNA, proteins and capture probes. • Successfully detected 20-mer oligonucleotide strands at various concentrations utilising Current Rectifying modified nanopipettes. • Cultured wild-type pathogenic K. pneumoniae and a glyphosate-induced antimicrobial-resistant mutant strain containing a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). • Differentiated WT and antimicrobial resistant samples from each other using Current Rectifying nanopipettes. • Collaborated with Dominik Duleba to develop a source code to extract relevant parameters from raw electrochemical data. • Presented oral and poster presentation at national and international conferences including RSC Electrochem, Pittcon 2023 Philadelphia, ISE 2024 Montreal, ISE/RSC Early Career Researcher Regional Symposium 2025 Maynooth, ICI Colloquium 2025 Maynooth.

• Supervised electrochemistry projects aligned with sensor development and material characterisation. • Delivered structured tutorial sessions to students, adapting content for diverse learning styles. • Explained complex scientific concepts in accessible language. • Developed experimental procedure for undergraduate from initial fundamental background material to application in a laboratory setting.

• Assisted with the technical transfer and GMP compliance batch quality control processes. • Assisted in documenting quality control processes and procedures. • Utilised laboratory equipment to analyse samples following standard operating procedures. • Presented data to department management and staff. • Supported troubleshooting activities as required.