Globally honoured scientist continues to 'make the magic'

An Athlone scientist with over three decades of experience researching societal challenges in the disciplines of medtech, biotech, food and the environment, has described his role as "a hobby".

Professor Neil Rowan has been recognised on a global scale for his continuing dedication to his "labour of love". As recently as this month, he retained his place on the Stanford University World's Top 2% Scientists list, climbing approximately 10,000 places from his 2024 ranking. This prestigious list identifies the world's leading researchers, Professor Rowan gaining recognition for his continued scientific contributions on a journey which started in the late 1980s.

The son of Ruth and the late Breffni Rowan, Neil was extremely sport focused, but always had an interest in the science subjects during his school years.

"Unfortunately, my grades did not reflect this interest, but thankfully I managed to earn a soccer scholarship to UCG where I graduated with a Higher Diploma in Applied Microbiology. Coupled with a City & Guilds course in Quality Control, it was a strong base upon which to start my academic journey," Neil said.

Neil furthered his education with the completion of a Masters in Biotechnology at Strathclyde University in Scotland.

"While some may have described me as a 'perpetual student', I was simply finding my way. Studying for my Masters in Strathclyde allowed me to combine a number of science disciplines together and gave me the belief that I had the potential to address and unlock societal issues as part of my research work," Neil said.

Upon the completion of his Masters, Neil became a lecturer at Strathclyde University, and within 18 months he was a senior lecturer, before returning home to Ireland after 14 years to take up a role as a lecturer in Biomedical Microbiology at DIT (now Technological University of Dublin).

Neil availed of an opening for a lectureship role at Athlone Institute of Technology (now TUS) in 2006 and next year will mark two decades of contribution to the university's growth.

"Having been away for some time, it was great to have the opportunity to return to my home town where I am now settled in Coosan with my wife Michelle and our three children, Chloe, Kevin and Liam," Neil added.

Initially working in the Department of Nursing and Healthcare, Neil was appointed inaugural Director of the Bioscience Research Institute in 2010, the role he currently fulfils at TUS.

"The role allows me to mentor and guide students in problem solving across a number of science disciplines. You have to bring your students along a journey. It is an individual experience for each student, but they are all trying to make a societal and tangible impact in their respective applied science projects," Neil said.

To date, Neil has supervised 42 PhDs across medtech, pharma, agri-food and environmental disciplines.

"Working in conjunction with each individual student, we will develop a core issue on which to work, but we are always focused on societal opportunities. It can be a long process to achieve our end point and much time goes into winning competitive grants so the PhD work can be completed," Neil said.

Neil harbours a passion for work in the disciplines of decontamination and sterilisation for which he has also been recognised on a global scale, ranked number one in the world for his research in this field.

He is immensely proud of such recognition, but stated that he is "not afraid to take risks with his research".

"As a young academic I was not afraid to take chances. I was ambitious and remain so. I see the potential to deconstruct and develop ideas. I realise the potential for societal impact in all the projects I undertake and want to see my work come to fruition," Neil said.

Such a broad body of work was further recognised when the former Dean Kelly and St Aloysius College student was one of 21 scientists from around the world appointed to a United Nations Scientific Panel to study and report on the effects of a nuclear war.

Professor Rowan is the sole Irish representative on the panel which he described as a "privileged position".

"It has been 40 years since the impact caused by a nuclear war has been discussed so you could say it is timely," Neil stated.

There were applications for the panel from 193 countries in a selection process which took six months to complete.

"My role on the panel is to research the impact which a nuclear war would have on our food system, agriculture and the marine. We met in the UN in New York in September and agreed a programme of work which we will report back on in 2027.

However, the work will progress remotely. There are a lot of moving parts to the work but let's see what is achievable," Neil said.

In his United Nations Scientific Panel role, Neil is working as an independent scientist, but lauds the presence of TUS in the community as the third level institution continues to evolve.

"I joined the staff in November 2006 and watched what was then AIT grow into a university, now TUS. President Vincent Cunnane and previously Ciarán Ó'Catháin have played primary roles in developing a vision for the college which has made for a better and rewarding experience for lecturers and students.

"Our students are intensively schooled and trained. TUS is enabling and supporting industries and companies in the community, our students applying their problem solving methods learned in the university within local working environments," Neil said.

His research antenna continually on alert, Neil's current work focuses on the sterilisation and safe reprocessing of devices for re-use in medical environments.

In this regard, he successfully supervised the first fully online PhD at TUS in medical device design to enhance patient safety, Professor Rowan working with students Terra Kremer and Brian McEvoy to complete their doctorate research.

He is also leading a new €5m EU Just Transition and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded-project on developing sustainable peatlands-based bio-economy facilities in recirculating aquaculture at Mount Lucas, County Offaly.

Professor Rowan has 10,000 followers on Linkedin which reflects a strong social and professional interest in his popular research and enterprise activities.

Looking towards the future, Neil believes he can continue to add value in a "mentoring role".

"In what is a constantly changing and dynamic environment, I want to be in position where I can train the next generation of leaders," Neil stated.

The late Professor John Smith, a mentor during his time studying in Strathclyde University, described Neil as a researcher capable of "making the magic".

With these three words in mind, this leading TUS Professor has certainly 'sprinkled some dust' over a globally recognised career to date.