Daniela Iacopino, Senior Staff Researcher and PI at Tyndall shares her path to Research Excellence.

From accumulating deep expertise in vibrant laboratories to mentoring early career researchers and empowering women in science, Senior Staff Researcher and PI Daniela Iacopino shares the most memorable milestones of her career to date.                                                                                                

I received my Master’s degree in Chemistry in 1995 and my PhD in Chemistry during the millennium year of 2000. During my Master’s degree I spent one year in a chemistry lab working on the synthesis of supramolecular systems with engineered sensing capabilities. These systems are fascinating to me as they enable us to design and assemble supramolecules with resulting properties beyond those resulting from the pure addition of the various components. It means we can design molecular machines able to perform smart tasks, such as selectively trap and target ions or other species. This experience sparked my interest for smart materials whose properties can be tailored by synthetic design   which inspired me to pursue research in such a specialist field.

I was first introduced to the field of nanoscience in Birmingham University (UK), where I had the opportunity to spend the last six months of my PhD as a visiting student. I then moved to UCD as postdoctoral fellow for two years. In 2002, I joined the Nanotechnology (NTG) group at Tyndall (then NMRC) and spent three years in the group as a postdoctoral fellow before becoming a staff researcher. Within the NTG group I lead the Integrated Nanomaterials (INMs) team as a senior researcher. At present, my core research interests include synthesis of nanoscale materials with engineered optoelectronic properties for sensing applications and the investigation of green materials and technologies for green electronics, the latter connected to a cause that I am passionate about.

 

Accumulating Deep Expertise in Vibrant Research Laboratories

Working in vibrant research laboratories in collaboration with other group members and colleagues whilst under the supervision of talented and inspiring supervisors such as Prof. Jon Preece (Birmingham University) and Prof Gareth Redmond (UCD) was one of the most vital stepping stones in developing my expertise. From them, I learned key professional skills that have enabled me to become an independent researcher, skills such as writing  funding applications, recruiting  young talented scientists, supervising/mentoring students and staff, and dissemination skills. The outcome of my work as student first, postdoc after and supervisor recently, has resulted in 76 published papers (Hind 25, 1678 citations) and one patent application. Major publications include:

 

Projects that produce Real Impact in Societal or Economic terms

Throughout my career I have had the chance to participate in a range of projects, addressing global challenges that I feel have produced real impact in societal or economic terms. My most impactful projects to date include EU FP7-2010-NMP-SMALL Hybrid molecule/nanocrystal assemblies for photonic and electronic sensing applications (Hysens, 2011-2014) and EU H2020-NMP-2014 Nanomaterials for the restoration of works of art (Nanorestart, 2015-2018).

Within these projects, I developed routes for the controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles (gold and silver) and their assembly into rigid and flexible substrates for sensing applications. The sensing mechanisms are based on a phenomenon called Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Many molecules of interest for sensing applications (such as drugs, pesticides, explosives, colorants etc) display unique spectral features, which, when illuminated by a laser (Raman spectroscopy) allow their unequivocal identification. When such molecules are close to ordered metal nanoparticles, their spectral features are enhanced (SERS) so that they can be identified at lower concentrations. By assembling ordered metal nanoparticles into flexible and transparent (paper, polymer) substrates, it is possible to develop versatile and low cost sensing platforms capable, for example, to detect pesticides directly from fruit or vegetable skins, or detect drug powder from swabbing of surfaces.  It is also possible to “stick” such sensors onto art objects to identify the chemical composition of paint, watercolours or plastic materials used for their production.

Since 2015, this activity has resulted in four PhD thesis, 15 senior author published articles in peer-reviewed journals, three poster prizes and participation in more than 20 conferences. It has also led to the formation of strategic international partnerships which secured three funded H2020 projects. These projects instigated my participation as Funded Investigator in SFI centres of excellence VistaMilk and CONNECT. This in turn initiated a successful collaboration with the department of Modern Irish in UCC, resulting in Prof. Pádraig Ó Macháin receiving the IRC Laureate Award.

My unique expertise on the use of nanoscale diagnostic tools for the analysis of modern art works have culminated in my involvement in the multidisciplinary project Inks&skins. This IRC Laureate Award project, led by Prof Pádraig Ó Macháin, aims at addressing the knowledge gaps in the history of the Gaelic manuscript by investigating the materiality of such manuscripts, using advances in spectroscopy and proteomics, and then interpreting the information derived therefrom in a humanities context. The book of Uí Mhaine, hosted by the Royal Irish Academy, is under analysis at the moment. The prestigious Book of Lismore, recently acquired by UCC, will also become part of this multidisciplinary investigation.

Currently, I am PI for four projects related to key activities within VistaMilk and CONNECT, as well as three EU international projects and two national projects.

Developing Early Career Researchers and Empowering Women

Over the past five years, I am proud to have graduated four PhD students (both men and women), all successfully employed in Ireland and abroad; supervised Postdoctoral female researchers; supervised and mentored more than 30 Tyndall students and interns from both Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and UCC.

I am dedicated to supporting the professional development of women across Tyndall and UCC and raising their visibility. I am committed to contributing towards a culture of balance, inclusion and equality through my activity as a committee member of Empowering Women at Tyndall (EW@T) and the Mná@UCC (UCC’s Women’s Network).