People

Athira Rajan

Research Scientist

Dr. Athira Kuruly Rajan joined as a Research Scientist at TU Dublin in January 2026. Her current research focuses on the development and commercialisation of fully biodegradable paper-based products.

Dr. Rajan completed her Master’s degree at the University of Calicut, Kerala, India, in 2017. Following her postgraduate studies, she joined the CSIR–Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), India, as a Project Assistant, where she contributed to research on the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to oxalate with the objective of industrial-scale application.

She later moved to Ireland to pursue doctoral research in Dr. Tim McCormac’s group at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Her PhD research focused on the immobilisation of polyoxometalates (POMs) on electrode surfaces and the investigation of their electrochemical properties. She was awarded her PhD in autumn 2024.

Following the completion of her doctorate, Dr. Rajan worked as a Research Assistant at Dublin City University on a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded project. Her work involved the electrochemical characterisation of polymer-based conductive inks for the development of low-cost, biocompatible, non-cytotoxic, and mechanically flexible wearable sensors.

Her professional background combines industry-oriented research, project coordination, and extensive laboratory management experience, alongside strong expertise in the implementation of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and health and safety procedures.

Key Research Interests

· Rapid and portable electrochemical biosensors

· Sensors for environmental and water pollutant

· Functionalisation of POMs, their immobilisation on various surfaces, and investigation of the electrochemical properties of POM thin films View publications and research outputs on ORCID.