Dr. Paul Buchanan
Dr Paul Buchanan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health and a Principal Investigator in the Life Sciences Institute at Dublin City University (DCU). His academic work spans cancer biology, electrophysiology, respiratory medicine and epithelial physiology. He completed his PhD at Queen’s University Belfast before undertaking postdoctoral research at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland/National Children’s Research Centre and the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s University Belfast.
At DCU, Dr Buchanan leads an interdisciplinary and internationally collaborative research programme in cancer electrophysiology and respiratory health. His programme has attracted more than €1 million in competitive funding and research-network support, including funding from Research Ireland/IRC, the HRB and Biodesign Europe, and involves major academic, clinical and industry collaborations. He has published 32 peer-reviewed articles, attracting more than 1,200 citations and an H-index of 19, and has supervised several PhD researchers. He serves on the Editorial Board of Bioelectricity and reviews grant applications for organisations including Worldwide Cancer Research and the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation. He also reviews manuscripts for journals such as Nature Reviews Urology, Cell Calcium and Cancers. His research has been featured in national media, including RTÉ News, The Irish Independent, RTÉ Brainstorm and Silicon Republic, supporting public understanding of biomedical science and promoting science communication and outreach.
Dr Buchanan coordinates core undergraduate bioscience teaching across nursing, health and biomedical programmes. He is a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA) and holds Digital Badges in Universal Design for Learning and Generative AI. He has secured external funding from McGraw-Hill Learning Matters to advance adaptive learning and accessible assessment, and was nominated for the DCU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Alongside his research and teaching, Dr Buchanan has served as Postgraduate Research Coordinator and is the School’s EDI Champion, supporting inclusive practice and Athena SWAN initiatives.
Research Interests
My research interests span cancer biology, electrophysiology and epithelial physiology, with a particular focus on investigating how ion channels, calcium signalling and epithelial barrier mechanisms contribute to disease progression, treatment resistance and tissue injury. My research is translational and multidisciplinary, integrating cell and molecular biology, electrophysiology, bioinformatics, patient-derived samples, advanced 3D culture systems, biomimetic scaffolds and tumour-on-chip models. My principal research areas include precision oncology in TP53-mutant triple-negative breast cancer; calcium-dependent mechanisms in treatment-resistant prostate cancer and tumour–nerve interactions; and vaping-related airway injury. Through collaborations across cancer biology, respiratory medicine, bioengineering, clinical research, public health and industry, my work aims to identify new biomarkers, therapeutic vulnerabilities and clinically relevant evidence capable of informing treatment strategies and public-health policy.
Bibliometrics
I have published 30 peer-reviewed papers, attracting over 1,200 citations and an H-index of 19. My work has appeared in leading journals across respiratory medicine, cancer biology, physiology and biomaterials, including the European Respiratory Journal, Lung Cancer, Cell Calcium, Cancers, Biomaterials Advances and Materials Science and Engineering C. Based on SciVal indicators, 94.1% of my publications are in Q1 or Q2 journals. My paper on vaping and lung cancer was the second-most-downloaded article in Lung Cancer in 2021. I also serve on the Editorial Board of Bioelectricity, reflecting international recognition of my expertise in electrophysiology, bioelectric signalling and cancer research.
Teaching Interests
My teaching interests centre on inclusive, student-centred and research-informed bioscience education, particularly the challenge of making complex biomedical concepts accessible, engaging and clinically relevant for large and diverse student cohorts. I currently teach and coordinate PHS1001 Anatomy and Physiology, PHS1014 Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing Practice, GCB1016 Biological Basis of Disease, and BCH1002 Biochemistry and Health, and have previously taught Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Pharmacology.
My teaching approach connects foundational bioscience with disease, patient care and professional practice through inclusive, research-informed and technology-enhanced learning. I have a particular interest in Universal Design for Learning, adaptive learning and accessible assessment, using these approaches to support diverse learners and enhance engagement across large student cohorts. This work has been supported by external funding from McGraw-Hill Learning Matters, enabling the development of scalable adaptive learning and assessment practices aligned with UDL principles.
Professional Qualification and Teaching Development
I hold Fellowship of Advance HE, providing professional recognition of my teaching practice and commitment to the internationally recognised Professional Standards Framework for higher education. This professional credential is complemented by a Universal Design for Learning Digital Badge and a GenAI Digital Badge, which support my continuing development in inclusive, accessible and technology-enhanced education. I have disseminated my teaching innovations through the Advance HE Forum Ireland, the Pedagogy for Higher Education Large Classes conference, DCU Teaching and Learning Week, and a peer-reviewed publication on adaptive learning and large-class pedagogy. My commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching was also recognised through nomination for the DCU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
CV
Academic Qualifications
- PhD, Queens' University of Belfast, UK01/09/2007 – 31/08/2010Project: Pathogen host interaction in cystic fibrosis epitheliumAward date: 31/08/2010
- Bachelor's Degree, Queens' University of Belfast, UK01/09/2004 – 01/08/2007Project: BSc(Hons) BiochemistryAward date: 01/08/2007
Professional Qualifications
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy(FHEA)10/2023 – 07/2024