Dr Tomas Ward, BE, MEngSc, PhD, SMIEEE Senior Lecturer Room 3.12, Electronic Engineering Building, Dept. of Electronic Engineering, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Tel. +353 1 708 4684 Fax +353 1 708 6027 Email: tomas.ward"!a!t!"nuim.ie

See my profile on the NUI Maynooth Researcher Profile Directory here.

Education

University College Dublin: (1996-1999): PhD in Biomedical Engineering (Supervisor: Prof Annraoi De Paor).
University College Dublin: (1994-1996): MEngSc (Research) in Biomedical Engineering .
University College Dublin: (1990-1994): BE (Electronic).

Research Groups

Biomedical Engineering Research Group

Distributed Interactive Applications Group

Current Graduate Students / Postdoctoral Researchers

Darren Leamy, PhD
Kevin Sweeney, PhD
Aodhan Coffey, PhD
Anthea Middleton, MEngSc/PhD
Damien Kearney, PhD
Denis Drennan, MEngSc
Gerard Derosiere, PhD (joint with Prof Perrey, University of Montpellier I)
Long Cheng, PhD

Past Graduate Students / Postdoctoral Researchers

Declan Delaney, PhD - Graduated 2005
Shirley Coyle, PhD - Graduated 2005
Michael Maguire, MEngSc (Research) - Graduated 2005
Karl Monaghan, MEngSc (Research) - Graduated 2006
Dr Yannis Le Guennec, Postdoctoral researcher
Dr Solomiya Lebid, Postdoctoral researcher
Dr Aaron B. McCoy, Postdoctoral researcher
Mark McLaughlin, MEngSc (Research) - Graduated 2006
Aaron McCoy, PhD - Graduated 2007
Kenneth Humphries, PhD - Graduated 2007
John Foody, MCompSc (Research) - Graduated 2007
Alan Kenny, PhD - Graduated 2009
Rudi Villing, PhD - Graduated 2010
Christopher Soraghan, PhD - Graduated 2010
Damian Wynne, MEngSc - Graduated 2010
Fiachra Matthews, PhD - Graduated 2010
Xin Zhang, PhD - Graduated 2011
Paddy Walsh - Graduates 2012.

Available Software

Physput - Physiological Input. A programmable input emulator for physiological signals

Autoregulation in the Kidney - Matlab code

Grants and Research Funding

[27] T. Ward and S. Perrey, Ulysses Awards Program, 2012-2014.

[26] T.Ward, “Tuning Synaptic & Cortical Recovery following Stroke”, Enterprise Ireland Research Innovation Partnership, 2011.

[25] T.Ward, G. Theodoropoulos, L. Chen, “Protocols for Exascale Computing Streaming Applications”, Enterprise Partnership Scheme with IBM - Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology, 2011.

[24] T.Ward and D. Kearney, “Improving Stroke Rehabilitation...”, Enterprise Partnership Scheme - Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology, 2011.

[23] T. Ward, “Signal Streaming Technology for Real-time Web-based Sensor Applications”, Research Programme Reference No: 09/RFP/ECE2376 TIDA Feasibility 10, SFI/EI Technology Innovation Development Award (TIDA) Feasibility Study, 2010.

[22] T. Ward, “Compact Wireless Dual Modality Brain Monitoring System using EEG and NIRS”, Tyndall National Access Program, NAP304, 2011-2012.

[21] T. Ward, R. Collins, T. Coughlan, and D. O'Neill, "Enhancing Stroke Rehabilitation with the Application of Brain Computer Interfaces," 09/RFP/ECE2376, Science Foundation Ireland: Research Frontiers Program, 2009.

[20] K. Sweeney, Supervisors:, T. Ward, and S. McLoone, "Ambulatory EEG Monitor for Attention and Focus." Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology, 2008.

[19] SFI UREKA Site Mentor, S. McLoone, R. Middleton, and A. Winstanley, "Summer Internship on Autonomous Robotics (SIAR)." , 2009.

[18] X. Zhang, Supervisors:, T. Ward, and S. McLoone, "Compression in Distributed Interactive Media." Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology: Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme, 2007.

[17] T. Ward, "High Resolution Diffuse Optical Tomography System," 05/RFP/ENG0089/EC07, B. Pearlmutter, C. Anderson, R. Roche, S. Commins, and J. Lowry, Science Foundation Ireland: Equipment Grant, 2007.

[16] T. Ward, "Closed-Loop Game State Replication Method for Peer-to-Peer Networked Multiplayer Games," PC/2007/043, vol. 260147, Ss McLoone, . Enterprise Ireland: Proof of Concept Scheme, 2007.

[15] P. Walsh, Supervisors:, T. Ward, and S. McLoone, "Closed-loop control of consistency in highly-coupled client-server distributed interactive games." Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology: Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme, 2007.

[14] C. Dormer, Supervisors:, T. Ward, and S. McLoone, "Augmentation of Stroke Rehabilitation through the Application of Neural Prostheses and Wearable Sensors." Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology: Enterprise Partnership Scheme (INTEL Technology Research for Independent Living ), 2007.

[13] T. Ward, "Motivating Perceptual Centre inclusion in Expressive Speech Synthesis," IC/2005/23/, N. Campbell, Enterprise Ireland: International Collaboration Program, 2005.

[12] T. Ward, "Next Generation Noninvasive Optical Brain Computer Interface (BCI)," ENG0089, C. Markham, R. O'Neill, and B. Pearlmutter, Science Foundation Ireland: Research Frontiers Program, 2005.

[11] R. Hayes, "HEaRT Health Engineering and Rehabilitation Team," T. Ward, J. Condron, M. Stack, J. Browne, J. Courtney, D. Berry, J. McGrory, C. Chan, R. Simpson, B. Caulfield, and C. Markham. Dublin Institute of Technology: Team Research Scheme, 2005.

[10] T. Ward, "Portable Near Infrared Diffuse Optical Tomography for Brain Computer Interfacing," C. Markham and G. McDarby. Higher Education Authority: Fund for collaborative research between Irish Universities and Colleges and Media Lab Europe, 2004.

[9] S. McLoone, "Exploiting psycho-perceptual effects to combat latency in Distributed Interactive Applications," IRCSET/SC/04/CS0289, T. Ward, D. Delaney, and B. Roche. IRCSET/Science Foundation Ireland: Basic Research Grants Scheme, 2004.

[8] S. Lebid, "Fast optical signal detection for NIRS applications," T. Ward, Ed. Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology: Post-doctoral Fellowship Scheme, 2004.

[7] C. Deegan, "The detection of human muscle activity patterns during electrical stimulation using mechanamyography," T. Ward. Higher Education Authority: Technological Sector Research: Strand 1, 2004.

[6] B. Caulfield, "Wearable kinematic and physiological biofeedback system for movement-based relaxation," T. Ward, C. Markham, and G. McDarby. Higher Education Authority: Fund for collaborative research between Irish Universities and Colleges and Media Lab Europe, 2004.

[5] A. Murphy, "The development of an integrated quasi-optical and electromagnetic numerical simulator for the computer aided design and analysis of novel terahertz systems," T. Ward, C. O'Sullivan, N. Trappe, and W. Lanigan. Science Foundation Ireland: Principal Investigator Awards, 2003.

[4] T. Ward, "Statistical Algorithms for Latency Masking in Distributed Interactive Applications," SC/2002/129/, D. Delaney and S. McLoone. Enterprise Ireland: Basic Research Grants Scheme, 2002.

[3] T. Ward, "Near Infrared Diffuse Optical Tomography for Brain Computer Interfacing," C. Markham and G. McDarby. Higher Education Authority: Fund for collaborative research between Irish Universities and Colleges and Media Lab Europe, 2002.

[2] T. Ward, "Noninvasive Continuous Blood Pressure Measurement using Near Infrared Photoplethysmography," M. Maguire. National University of Ireland, Maynooth: New Researcher Award, 2001.

[1] T. Ward, "A Tele-monitoring System for People with Developmental Disabilities." Telenor Ltd, Sweden, 2000.

Teaching and Academic Duties

I currently teach EE616 "Biomedical Engineering" as part of our masters degree (ME) program and EE402 "Computers and Communication Networks" as part of our BE program.

Previously I have taught courses in computer and communications networks, digital logic and computing languages.

I serve as course director for the masters in engineering program here at NUI Maynooth.

I am a founding member of the NUI Maynooth Maker's Club

Publications

The above link generates results from DAROL the online paper database for the department developed by Sean McLoone and his colleagues.

Research Project Guidance (and other things)

My rough and ready guide to conducting a literature review (spontaneous sceencast give to taught masters students 2010)

A document in which I detail in a more controlled fashion how to conduct a literature review.

How to write a good BE/ME (taught NOT research) thesis. This document gives insight to how I interpret our marking scheme.

How to prepare your thesis. - My personal view for my research students (MEngSc/PhD)

Writing research papers - Good advice from Purdue. Grad students of mine should use this guide.

Dr. David Twigg of the University of Sussex has put together a helpful document and presentation on preparing for your PhD viva.

Indeed so has Dr Andrew Broad in this link

A basic guide to writing well.

The adventures of Dr Lecturer

And of course the adventures of Mr Postgrad