Rate My Professor J.J. Leahy

Professor J.J. Leahy is Full Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Limerick. He also serves as Professor in the Bernal Institute and the Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC). Leahy heads a research group of chemists and chemical engineers focused on chemical technologies for biofuels and biorefining from wastes. His research identifies optimum thermochemical routes such as gasification and pyrolysis, alongside chemical hydrolysis, for producing chemicals and second-generation transport fuels from biomass and waste. Activities include laboratory and pilot-scale process optimization for product yields from specific feedstocks, catalyst and chemical process development for bio-oil production and upgrading, pre-treatment processes for lignocellulosic carbohydrate hydrolysis, and demonstration of bio-syngas feasibility with catalysts for alcohol or diesel fuels. He maintains an extensive background in applied biofuels research, with strong national industry links.