Dr Liam Kelleher

Dr Liam Kelleher

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Research Fellow

Contact details

Address
The Institute for Global Innovation
54 Pritchatts Road
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT

Dr Liam Kelleher is a research fellow at the Institute for Global Innovation (IGI) working on the Water Challenges research theme. Liam’s interests are in the area of spectroscopy (Raman and others), data analysis and the study of nano and microplastics.

Please get in touch if you want to chat further.

Qualifications

PhD in Physics, University of Swansea 2019

BSc in Physics, University of Swansea 2015

Biography

After completing his BSc Physics with Nanotechnology at Swansea University, Liam moved onto a PhD project in the Centre for Nanohealth at Swansea. His PhD was an industrial linked project through the pan-Wales KESS initiative, where Liam worked with Siemens Healthineers to carry out characterisation of raw materials utilised in manufacturing commercial immunoassays. Raman spectroscopy was the primary tool of use, with FTIR spectroscopy also used to reinforce observations made.

In 2019 he joined Dr Goldberg Oppenheimer's group to carry out research related to TBI, focussing on open science and the development of research tools for clinical applications. During this time Liam received the Innovate ICURe grant and travelled internationally for 3-months in investigate commercialisation of spectroscopy devices in healthcare settings.

In 2021 Liam moved to the IGI to work alongside Prof Stefan Krause and colleagues to work on the collection and characterisation of nano and microplastics, in water, soil, air and biological samples. This further extends to developments of Raman devices for lab and field use and more advanced methods for detection of the smaller size fractions of microplastics.

Research

Liam has a background in experimental physics working on spectroscopy systems for the characterisation of both biological and non-biological samples. He has been focused on work with multidisciplinary aspects and translation into wider settings outside of the university.

Primarily his work now focused on the use and analysis of Raman spectroscopy with research including:

  • Low-cost spectrometer design, for a cheaper and more affordable system to be used in a variety of settings.

  • Developing tools for improved analysis of spectral data.

  • Transferring novel spectroscopy methods into broader fields of application.

Other activities

Postdoctoral / Early Researcher Career Development And Training Rep, PERCAT (2019-Date)


Previously

Chemical Engineering Health and Safety Committee (2019-2021)