UCL DEPARTMENT OF SPACE & CLIMATE PHYSICS

• B.Sc.Arch Architecture, University College Dublin (2004)
• Space Studies Program, International Space University (2006)
• M.Phys. Physics with Planetary and Space Physics, University of Wales (2009)
• Ph.D Sun-Earth Connections, University College London (in progress)

• Agenjo, A. et al. (2006). Luna Gaia - A closed-loop habitat for the moon (Report) International Space University: Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France

2011

• 14th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (XIV ICAE) (August)
• IoP / RMetS event: "Clouds and Earth's radiation balance - observational evidence" (March)
• RSPSoc Annual Student Meeting (ASM) (March)

2010

• RSPSoc 2010 Annual Conference - From the Sea-bed to the Cloud-tops (September)
• ESAs Earth Observation Summer School (August)
• RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2010 (April)
• RSPSoc Annual Student Meeting (ASM) (March)

• Poster Prize @ RSPSoc 2010 Annual Conference - From the Sea-bed to the Cloud-tops

• Sun-Earth connections
• Coronal Mass Ejections in the Inner Heliosphere

• Electron and proton influx into the atmosphere, and energetic particle induced atmospheric events

  • Stimulation of Lightning Discharges
  • Seeding of Clouds, and Modification of Cloud Properties
  • Generation of Aurora
  • Effect on atmospheric composition
• STEREO 3D Solar Imaging

"Observations and modeling of Sun-Earth connections using Solar and EO satellites"

Supervisors: Prof. Jan-Peter Muller & Dr. Sarah Matthews

Over the last decade, a number of studies have concluded that there is a strong correlation between solar activity (sunspots, high energy cosmic ray flux) and low altitude cloud cover on the Earth. However, there is no evidence published on the mechanism for this interaction nor on any specific examples to demonstrate these Sun- Earth connections. Utilising data from multiple instruments onboard the NASA STEREO mission, observations of the aurora from the NASA POLAR and observations of cloud formation from 15-minute interval METEOSAT and every 90 minute polar observations from NASA's MODIS, MISR and ESA's MERIS and AATSR, a few case studies will be studied in detail to study the Sun-Earth connections of the effects of CMEs on cloud formation. A simple dynamical model of the CME's passage through the solar wind and the consequent interactions of charged particles with the neutral atmosphere and with water vapour will be utilised to try to emulate key features of the observations from the multiple satellite observations. 

2009–Present

Ph.D. — University College London (UCL)

Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), Dept. of Space & Climate Physics 

Supervisors Prof J.-P. Muller & Dr S. Matthews

Sun-Earth connections; direct & indirect links between the Sun & the Earth Investigation of hypotheses pertaining to the influence of Galactic Cosmic Rays & Solar Energetic Particles on Lightning Activity

Thesis title: Investigations of Sun–Earth Connections: Space Weather’s Influences on Terrestrial Weather

2005–2009

M.Phys. — University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA)

First class Honours — Four year degree

Masters in Physics with Space and Planetary Physics

Summer 2006

Space Studies Program 2006 — International Space University (ISU)

Multi-disciplinary curriculum of space studies, covering; Space & Society, Business & Management, Engineering, Life Sciences, Policy & Law, Satellite Applications, Physical Sciences and Space Systems Analysis & Design. 

3-Part Program: Core Curriculum, Departmental Activity and Team Project. 

Team Project: Luna Gaia — A closed-loop habitat for the moon. – Executive Summary; Project Report

2001–2004

B.Sc (Architecture) — University College Dublin (UCD) 

UCD School of Architecture

Poster Paper Prize - 2010

Awarded by: Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc)

Awarded for: Best poster paper presented at the Society’s Annual Conferenc

Paper Title: Observations of Sun-Earth Connections using Solar & EO Satellites

Professor Lance Thomas Prize - 2008-2009

Awarded by: Institute of Mathematics & Physical Sciences (IMAPS), University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA)

Awarded for: Most deserving final year M.Phys. student

E.J. WIlliams Prize - 2005-2006 & 2006-2007 (2 years running)

Awarded by: Institute of Mathematics & Physical Sciences (IMAPS), University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA) 

Awarded for: Annual award for academic excellence

2012

• Benford’s Law in Solar Physics, J.J.O’Regan, J.-P.Muller, & S.Matthews, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc) Annual Student Meeting, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. 12–14 March, 2012.

2011

• Cosmic Rays, Solar Energetic Particles and Lightning, J.J.O’Regan, J.-P.Muller, & S.Matthews, International Summer School on Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, L’Aquila, Assergi, Italy. 5–8 September, 2011.

• A first approximation of cosmic ray induced atmospheric mechanisms and correlations to solar activity, J.J.O’Regan, J.-P.Muller, & S.Matthews, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc) Annual Student Meeting, Buxton, Peak District, United Kingdom. 14–16 March, 2011.

2012

• Towards understanding the nature of any relationships between Solar Activity and Cosmic Rays with thunderstorm activity and lightning discharge, J. J. O’Regan, J.-P. Muller, & S. Matthews, European Geophysical Union (EGU) Annual Conference, Vienna, Austria. 22–27 April, 2012.

2011

• Correlation of the Modification of Cloud Properties and Lightning Activity Levels with Solar Energetic Particles, J.J.O’Regan, J.-P.Muller, & S.Matthews, XIV International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 8–12 August, 2011.

2010

• Observations of Sun-Earth connections using Solar and EO satellites, J.J.O’Regan, J.-P.Muller, & S.Matthews, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc) Annual Conference, 2010 – From the Sea-bed to the Cloud-tops, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland. 1–3 September, 2010.
• Observations and modeling of Sun-Earth connections, J. J. O’Regan, J.-P. Muller, & S.Matthews, 5th ESA Earth Observation Summer School on Earth System Monitoring & Modeling, Frascati (Rome), Italy, 2–13 August 2010.

• International Summer School on Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ISSAOS), L’Aquila, Assergi, Italy; 5 - 8 September, 2011 (Website)

• Advanced Summer School in Solar Physics (ASSSP), Glasgow, United Kingdom; 29 August - 2 September, 2011

• 5th Heliophysics Summer School – Long-term Solar Activity and the Climates of Space and Earth, Boulder, Colorado, USA; 27 July - 3 August, 2011 (Website)

• 5th ESA Earth Observation Summer School on Earth System Monitoring & Modelling, Frascati (Rome), Italy; 2 - 13 August, 2010 (Website)

• Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Summer School, London, United Kingdom; 13 - 18 September, 2009

• Member of the MSSL Solar Group & MSSL Imaging Group

• Graduate of the International Space University (ISU)

• Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)

• Associate Member of the Institute of Physics (IoP)

• Associate Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS)

• Member of the Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc)

• WorldWide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) VLF sensor custodian for MSSL station 

• British Science Association (Surrey Branch)
• MSSL Open Day 2010 (Lego Wall-e / Mars Rover Tent)

I used to be an Architect!