Dr. Maloney holds a PhD in Physics from Trinity College Dublin, specialising in biosensing applications. From 2015 to 2016, Dr. Maloney lectured in physics at Dublin City University (DCU) before joining the academic staff of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway in 2016. While currently a Lecturer in Physics and Instrumentation, Dr. Maloney is also a Principal Investigator in the University’s Marine and Freshwater Research Centre.
Dr. Maloney leads the NanoSA research team, a collaborative initiative between ATU Galway, DCU, and aquaculture industry leader Mowi. The project is funded through the Research Ireland Future Food Systems Challenge. NanoSA focuses on developing oxide nanostructure-integrated lateral flow assays for the rapid detection of bacterial and viral pathogens impacting the salmon aquaculture industry. By reducing the time from sample collection to pathogen detection results from several days to just a few hours, the team aims to equip fish health professionals with critical, on-site tools for early detection and effective disease management.
Working at the intersection of nanotechnology, diagnostics, and aquaculture health, Dr. Maloney collaborates closely with both academic and industry partners to deliver practical, field-deployable solutions that support sustainable and resilient seafood production.
