Dr. Emer Shannon | Biomedical | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Emer Shannon began her academic journey with a distinction in an ITEC Certificate in Diet & Nutrition (2009–2010). She earned her BSc (Hons) in Nutraceuticals for Health & Nutrition with a first-class honor from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in 2014, presenting a thesis on the polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity of various teas under different brewing conditions. Her passion for marine chemistry led her to pursue a PhD at the Technological University of Dublin (2014–2018), where she explored bio-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from seaweed and cyanobacteria with nutraceutical and dermaceutical applications.

Dr. Shannon has extensive experience in research and industry. She is currently a researcher at APC Microbiome Ireland, investigating gut microbiota-host-immune-inflammatory responses and metabolism. Previously, she held a prestigious RL2025 Marie Skłodowska–Curie Fellowship, leading the SeaHealth project, which explored seaweed bioactives for gut and metabolic health. Her roles have also included analytical scientist at Abbott Diagnostics, medical microbiology assistant at Blackrock Clinic, and doctoral researcher at TU Dublin, where she conducted self-directed research in marine phycology and cyanobacteriology.

Dr. Shannon’s research centers on marine chemistry, human nutrition, and waste valorization. She has made significant contributions to understanding the nutraceutical potential of seaweeds and cyanobacteria, focusing on bioactive compounds like fucoxanthin, phlorotannins, and peptides. Her work on enzymatic extraction and in vitro bioassays has advanced the field of functional foods for metabolic health and immune modulation.

Dr. Shannon’s influence extends beyond her research. She has published over 12 peer-reviewed journal articles, accumulating 1,319 citations, with an h-index of 11 and an i10-index of 12. Her work has been recognized internationally, earning her awards such as the IUFoST Young Scientist Award (2016), the Edward Hood Memorial Bursary (2016), and the Research Leaders 2025 MSCA COFUND Fellowship (2019).

Dr. Shannon’s notable publications include studies on the prebiotic effects of seaweeds, enzyme inhibitory effects for metabolic syndrome management, and methane abatement potential of brown seaweeds. Her research has been featured in top journals like Foods, Scientific Reports, and Marine Drugs.

Dr. Shannon is proficient in natural products chemistry, HPLC, UV-vis spectroscopy, AA, FTIR, PCR, in vitro digestion, fermentation, and waste valorization. Her expertise spans bioactive extraction, yield optimization, and antioxidant activity analysis, reflecting her dedication to innovative research methods.

Dr. Shannon has an extensive teaching background, having served as a senior lab demonstrator at DIT, where she supervised practicals in chemistry, biotechnology, food engineering, and microbiology. She also provided individualized tutorials for students with diverse needs and delivered guest lectures on marine chemistry at Dublin City University.

Dr. Shannon’s work has the potential to transform the nutraceutical and dermaceutical industries. Her innovative approaches to bioactive extraction and gut health research are paving the way for sustainable solutions in food science and human nutrition. With her ongoing contributions to marine chemistry and functional food development, Dr. Shannon continues to inspire future scientists and drive impactful change in her field