English
Gaeilge
ATU PhD Researcher Receives Dervilla Donnelly Postgraduate Award 2025
ATU PhD researcher Keerthi M. Nair has been awarded the Dervilla Donnelly Postgraduate Award 2025 by the Institute of Chemistry Ireland.
ATU PhD researcher Keerthi M. Nair, supervised by Prof Suresh C. Pillai of the Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, has been awarded the Dervilla Donnelly Postgraduate Award 2025 by the Institute of Chemistry Ireland.
Keerthi’s PhD research, conducted as part of the EU Horizon 2020 PANIWATER project, focuses on the development of Fe-based functional nanomaterials, particularly Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives, as advanced catalysts for wastewater treatment. Her work addresses critical water contamination challenges and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all.
Her research has been published in high-impact international journals, reinforcing its significance in environmental chemistry. Beyond research, Keerthi has actively engaged in mentorship and science outreach, serving as a teaching assistant and leading educational workshops through the Current Chemistry Investigators initiative. Over the years, she has delivered more than 10 annual outreach sessions to secondary schools, reaching over 200 students per academic year, and played a key role in major science festivals, including the ESB Science Blast and Cork Carnival of Science.
Prof Pillai highlighted Keerthi’s pivotal role in the PANIWATER project, praising her innovation in developing nanomaterials for wastewater treatment and her ability to advance complex research initiatives; “Keerthi’s exceptional contributions were integral to the success of the project, particularly in the development of Fe-based functional nanomaterials for advanced wastewater treatment. Her ability to innovate and drive forward complex research initiatives was essential in advancing the goals of the EU project, which focused on addressing critical water contamination challenges.”
ATU President Dr Orla Flynn praised Keerthi’s achievement, stating: “This recognition of Keerthi’s work not only highlights her individual dedication and expertise but also reflects the high standards of research at ATU. Her work exemplifies our commitment to producing cutting-edge research with tangible global impact, reinforcing ATU’s role in fostering scientific innovation and sustainability. Congratulations, Keerthi!”
The ICI Postgraduate Award is a distinguished honour granted to outstanding PhD researchers in chemistry across Irish Higher Education Institutions. The award ceremony will take place on May 1st, 2025, at University College Dublin, formally recognising Keerthi’s contributions to scientific research and public engagement.
