Biography
I completed my BSc in Microbiology at NUI Galway before obtaining a MSc at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton (NOCS). Thereafter, I returned to NUI Galway and completed a PhD under the guidance of Prof. Vincent O'Flaherty. During my PhD research I investigated protein expression patterns of microbial groups, particularly methanogens, in low temperature anaerobic digestion biofilms. After completing my PhD, I undertook postdoctoral research focusing on hot desert edaphic microbial ecology in South Africa at the Centre of Microbial Ecology and Genomics (CMEG), University of Pretoria. I recently started a lecturing position in the department of Chemical & Environmental Science.
My research interests lie primarily in the field of microbial ecology. Specifically, characterising microbial diversity and functional relevance within environmental habitats (e.g. soil) and industrial applications (e.g. AD bioreactors). This involves using modern molecular approaches to provide data that can be used in applied contexts such as biotechnology.
Research Interests
· Microbial community fingerprinting (T-RFLP, DGGE, clone libraries)
· Next-generation sequencing (454-pyrosequencing, Illumina) of marker/functional genes and data analysis.
· Meta-omics approaches (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics).
· Wastewater treatment process optimization.
Professional Activities
Education
- 2013 NUI Galway, Ireland - PhD
- 2008 National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, UK - MSc (Honours)
- 2007 NUI Galway, Ireland - BSc (Hons)
Employment
- Medtronic Vascular, Galway - Microbiology Laboratory Technician
- Vistakon, Limerick - QC Technician
- Abbott Diagnostics, Sligo - QC Technician