Three world’s top 2% scientists in Nanolab Research Centre
On 7th July, we officially welcomed Dr. Ahmed Barhoum to be member of Nanolab Research Centre. He is jointly ranked with Dr. Shiv Shanka and Dr. Bila Javed among the world’s top 2% scientists for recognition according to the Stanford University ranking.
Dr. Ahmed Barhoum is a full-time Lecturer at the School of Chemical and BioPharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). Before joining TU Dublin, he was Associate Professor of Nanomaterials at Helwan University. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. He has conducted research at Dublin City University (Ireland), Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), the European Institute of Membranes (France), and Grenoble Institute of Technology (France). He is ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists in nanomaterials, according to the Stanford University ranking.
His work focuses on designing functional nanostructured materials nanoparticles, nanofibers, hydrogels, membranes, and electrodes for drug delivery, biosensing, and related applications. He develops synthesis methods such as hot injection synthesis, atomic layer deposition, electrospinning, and 3D printing for polymer-based materials.
Dr. Barhoum has led over 10 funded projects and secured grants from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium), Erasmus Mundus Medastar Program (EU), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Campus France (Imhotep), US-AID, and the Irish Research Council (IRC). He has authored over 180 publications in high-impact journals, cited more than 13,000 times.
He has supervised over 20 MSc/PhD students in nanomaterials, analytical chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences. He is editor of 11 international handbooks with Elsevier and Springer and serves as evaluator for agencies including the European Research Council (ERC), Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and National Science Centre (NCN), Poland.
With expertise in wet-chemistry synthesis and analytical method development, Dr. Barhoum is actively seeking interdisciplinary collaborations and funding opportunities in novel drug delivery carriers, wearable and tattoo biosensing, and sustainable membrane and electrode materials for environmental applications.
Dr. Shiv Shankar is a Lecturer at the School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Ireland, and a Visiting Associate Professor at INRS-Armand Frappier Health and Biotechnology Centre, Canada. Before joining TU Dublin in 2024, he held prestigious research positions at institutions in Australia, Thailand, South Korea, and Canada, contributing to cutting-edge developments in food preservation, antimicrobial packaging, food irradiation, and biopolymer engineering.
His current research focuses on developing antimicrobial formulations using natural extracts and nanoparticles for food preservation, packaging, and biomedical applications. Additionally, he explores waste valorization to engineer biodegradable and compostable materials for sustainable packaging solutions.
Dr. Shankar has published over 100 journal papers, multiple patents, and significant contributions to book chapters and editorial roles with over 8000 Google Scholar citations and an H-index of 52. His work has been recognized in the World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking by Stanford University for four consecutive years (2021–2024).
Research Interests
- Sustainable Materials
- Waste valorization into high-value products
- Polymer engineering
- Biodegradable and compostable plastics and bioplastics
- Sustainable and Green Biodegradable Packaging
- Food irradiation
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical applications of nanoparticles and biopolymers
Dr Bilal Javed’s research expertise spans drug delivery, supramolecular assemblies, lateral flow biosensing devices, advanced 3D cell culture models, and organ-on-a-chip technologies, directly aligning with TU Dublin’s strategic research themes and UN SDGs. Emphasizing translational research and commercialization potential, his work addresses significant global challenges in cancer drug development, pre-clinical drug testing, food security, and sustainable manufacturing. His postdoctoral and current academic research contributed significantly to the establishment of the Nanolab Research Centre.
At the start of his lecturing career in 2024, Bilal secured substantial research funding of €670,000, enabling him to supervise four PhD students and establish a dynamic, interdisciplinary research group. His funding achievements include prestigious international fellowships and awards, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (€250,000), Enterprise Ireland’s Career Fit Plus (€28,800), and International Research Support Initiative Program (€15,000) to carry out research at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he applied for a grant (€198,950) in European collaborative networks through COST Actions. His recent funding of €3,500 from COST Action to support short-term research missions at the University of Manchester.
Bilal’s extensive mentorship experience includes supervising four PhD candidates and more than 20 undergraduate, Erasmus, and visiting research students. His extensive collaborations encompass prestigious academic and industrial partners across Ireland, Europe, and the United States, including RELX Group, Pfizer, Screenlink Diagnostics, and Trinity Biotech, facilitating innovative translational research and industry-driven solutions.
Dr Javed has published 45 research articles in leading high-impact open-access international journals, with 2119 citations, resulting in a h-index of 24 and an i10-index of 33, reflecting his substantial academic influence. He is recognized among the top 2% of the most-cited young scientists worldwide in 2022 by Stanford University and Elsevier.
Dr Bilal Javed's research has measurable impacts in public health and food safety through innovative biosensing devices and advanced drug delivery systems. His lateral flow immunochromatographic assays provide faster, cost-effective, and accurate diagnostics for food pathogens, significantly benefiting public health in both developed and developing countries. Additionally, his work on 3D cell culture models and organ-on-a-chip technologies contributes to more reliable preclinical drug screening, accelerating drug development and reducing associated costs. Collectively, these innovations directly align with and advance multiple UN SDGs, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Recognized for his research-informed teaching, he secured the SATLE 2024 funding from Ireland’s Higher Education Authority (HEA), integrating AI-based sustainable biomanufacturing into the Biotechnology curriculum. Dr Javed actively contributes as an EU expert reviewer for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, influencing research excellence and integrity within the European academic framework.
Dr Javed showcases exceptional leadership capabilities through strategic organization of interdisciplinary research activities, successful mentoring of diverse research teams, and proactive engagement in professional development. His notable achievements include becoming among the first TU Dublin staff members to earn the Advance HE Fellowship. He is sole editor of the forthcoming book “Metal Nanoparticles: Microbial and Enzymatic Synthesis and Biomedical Applications” for Springer Nature, evidencing his authoritative role in his research domain.
Other Key Points:
- ARISE and IRC funding of €670,000 secured for supervising four PhD students, demonstrating strong research leadership.
- Received prestigious international awards, including Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (€250,000) and Career Fit Plus (€28,800).
- Applied for significant funding (€198,950) from the Croatian Science Foundation for international collaboration on marine-inspired drug delivery systems.
- Actively engaged in multiple COST Actions to foster international research partnerships, receiving additional COST funding (€3,500) for short-term research missions abroad.
- Extensive mentorship of four PhD students and over 20 undergraduate students, emphasizing conference participation and high-impact research publications.
- Published around 45 scientific papers in top-tier international journals (Q1/Q2), achieving over 2119 citations, an h-index of 24, and an i10-index of 33.
- Ranked among the top 2% most-cited young scientists globally (Stanford/Elsevier, 2022).
- Editor of an upcoming Springer Nature book, enhancing visibility and leadership in nanoparticle research.
- Awarded SATLE 2024 funding from HEA to integrate AI and sustainability into the Biotechnology curriculum.
- Regular EU expert reviewer for MSCA Fellowships, promoting high standards in European research funding.
- Strong industry collaborations (Pfizer, RELX Group, Trinity Biotech) to drive translational research and commercialization.
- Awarded the Advance HE Fellowship, highlighted at LTA 2025 for excellence in teaching, demonstrating clear leadership and strategic academic direction.