Ian Houlihan

Experience

• 

  Boston Scientific

  May 2009 - Jan 2010

  Intern Manufacturing Engineer

  • Developed knowledge, skills, and experience in catheter production as an interim manufacturing engineer on co-operative placement• Conducted validation testing in order to introduce process-changes and ensure product quality • Organized system to track production failures through root-cause-analysis• Managed data of production failures into pivot charts on a daily basis to track and code failure rates, associated with specific shifts and operators• Coordinated preventative shift-change quality assurance processes with the head manager to mitigate human error in the batch processing of catheters • Organized and documented periodic calibrations and general maintenance for fittings, fixtures, and production equipment with the chief calibration engineer • Collected and analyzed production line failures for both fixed and wire guided catheters• Used of Minitab to statistically analyze data • Identified root causes of defects using Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)• Investigated material vendor supply issues• Assisted in projects for line improvements, using the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) process• Trained in validation procedures; conducted validation testing and analysis Show less

• 

  University of Limerick

  Sept 2010 - Dec 2010

  Peer Learning Support Tutor

  • Aided students in the Applied Mechanics (ME 4113) module• Provided peer learning support, and received peer support training

• 

  University of Limerick

  Sept 2011 - Nov 2020

  • Development of novel dental and orthopaedic polymer materials• Characterize dental and orthopaedic polymer materials using both mechanical and analytical techniques, using International Standards such as ISO 5883 “Implants for surgery - Acrylic resin cements”, ISO 9917 “Dentistry – Water based cements” and ASTM F451-08 “Standard specification for acrylic bone cement”• Modify polymer networks in reaction bonded composites• Surface functionalization of filler materials in Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cements and glass ionomer cements (GIC’s)• Characterize reaction mechanisms using analytical techniques and methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Particle Size Analysis (PSA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)• Synthesize and process bioactive glasses, polymers, and ceramics• Characterize and synthesize raw materials for our industrial partner • Develop and edit content for technical reports, grants, and patent applications• Collaborate with industry partner in the dissemination of research outputs, results, and implications for industry through technical reporting• Supervise Masters-level and Undergraduate-Final-Year research projects• Lead team of researchers in Biomaterials Cluster group in School of Engineering• Mentor peers of Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Researchers in the areas of Novel Bone Cement Development for materials such as calcium phosphate, PMMA, and GIC’s• Use PTC Creo CAD software to create models and engineering drawings for the manufacture of mechanical test fixtures• Demonstrate ability to work independently, with strong technical problem-solving abilities Show less My project was focused on the development and characterisation of a novel hard tissue adhesive. The main focus of my PhD was a novel change in the organic (polymer) matrix of a glass ionomer cement. The effect of these alterations was studied as a function of time and how they effected a range of mechanical properties such as: toughness, fracture toughness, Young’s modulus, flexural strength compressive strength and plastic zone size. The setting reaction chemistry and composition of the modified cement matrix was analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and rheology. Show less

  • Post-doctoral Researcher (Biomaterials Research and Development)

    May 2016 - Nov 2020

  • Research and Development Engineer (Biomedical Reseacher)

    Sept 2011 - May 2016
• 

  Cleveland Clinic

  Jul 2021 - Feb 2024

  Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• 

  Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute

  Jun 2023 - now

  • Research Associate

    Feb 2024 - now

  • Innovations Fellow (Proof of Concept Office)

    Jun 2023 - now