As part of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we’re sharing interviews with members from across the Technology Gateway Network. Today, we’re pleased to introduce Róża Paterek, Senior Business Development Technologist at MiCRA Technology Gateway.
Can you describe your role and key responsibilities?
My name is Roza Paterekand I’m the Senior Business Development Technologist at the MiCRA Technology Gateway, Technological University Dublin, where I work closely with Irish industry to develop collaborative research projects that translate scientific innovation into commercially relevant solutions. My role focuses on building strategic partnerships with industry, identifying research opportunities, and supporting the development and delivery of applied R&D across MiCRA’s core research themes, including Agri-Food Technologies, Diagnostics and Device Research, Sustainability and Environmental Testing, Bio and Pharma Technologies, Analytical Science Services, and Advanced Materials Research.
I have experience working within Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways, delivering industry-focused research and consultancy projects for SMEs, multinational companies, and public sector organisations. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with companies across diverse sectors, supporting the development of new products, process optimisation, technical problem-solving, and research initiatives. I have developed a strong understanding of the interface between academia and industry, helping organisations identify technical challenges and translate them into structured research programmes with tangible commercial impact.
How can your experience help companies advance their R&D activities?
My technical expertise and research interests lie within the analytical science services, agri-food technology and advanced materials research sectors. As an analytical chemist, with a B.Sc (Hons) in DNA & Forensic Analysis, I have extensive experience across chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis, and hyphenated analytical techniques. My research has been applied across food and beverages, biomaterials, chemicals, and advanced engineering materials, providing industry partners with analytical insights to support product development, quality assurance, and process improvement.
I have delivered on projects supporting food and beverage manufacturers through product characterisation, process optimisation, quality assessment and analytical method development across coffee, dairy, brewing and food production systems. I have provided advanced analytical science services for industry, utilising chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy and thermal analysis to solve technical challenges, identify unknowns, optimise processes and support research-led decision making. As well as delivering industry-focused materials research involving composite manufacturing, mechanical testing and materials characterisation.
What is the focus of your PhD research?
Alongside my professional role, I’m also pursuing a part-time PhD in Analytical Chemistry. My research focuses on understanding the evolution of volatile compounds during coffee roasting using advanced hyphenated analytical techniques to investigate the complex chemical transformations that influence flavour development and product quality. This work has resulted in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, while maintaining a strong focus on industrial relevance and application.
How do you bridge academia and industry?
I’m particularly interested in developing collaborative research programmes that combine scientific concepts with commercial impact. I’m passionate about building long-term partnerships between academia and industry, supporting innovation across Ireland’s research and enterprise ecosystem, and applying analytical science to solve complex technical challenges across multiple sectors.
To learn more about MiCRA Technology Gateway, check out their website or connect on LinkedIn.
