Biography


Summary of past and current research interests.

In summary my research in the past/current has been in three focused areas: Process analytical technologies (PAT) in the Biopharma and food industries; antibiotic resistance and gene mobility in the environment; low energy heat recovery;

Sensor development for PAT applications: I am an expert on Ralstonia pickettii, a persistent contaminant of high purity water which is of importance in the Biopharma industry. In seeking out a method to identify and detect R. pickettii in industrial setting, I developed an interest in sensor applications, a converging of electronic engineering, bioinformatics and microbiology for real translational applications. This research led to sensor development expertise in process analytical control (PAT) applications in rapid microbial monitoring both in the food (Bacillus spp., and salmonella spp.) and in Biopharma ( Ralstonia).

My interest in real time applications were further fostered with the interaction with iControl Solutions, a start-up company in the development of a telemetric temperature monitoring system for milk tankers, for microbial control.

Environmental research: I have an interest in environmental issues and am involved in a project on green roof developments as a source of carbon sequestering and the use of novel soil mixtures for the sustainability of green roofs.

GALGEMS: I manage a group of five scientists in developing general applications for low grade energy management systems (GALGEMS). We have achieved over €1m in industrial funding from food, computer and alumina industries in the past 6 years.

Education: As a lecturer I have been actively involved in generating web based teaching material for schools and colleges. These materials funded through EU framework programmes have been translated in multiple European languages. See www.eibe.info.

Historic Research: The historic focus of my research has been on the mobility of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. This research initiated with my PhD thesis topic that clinical sources of antibiotics could be transferred in the environment. I demonstrated using Mu, a transposable phage, (as a research vehicle), that methylation can affect gene expression. This was a significant breakthrough. With the advent of antibiotic genes used in genetically modified food sources I was involved in the debate and subsequently published on the attitudes and regulation concerning their use.

Research Interests

In summary my research in the current/past has been in three focused areas:

1. Science Technologies including - Process analytical technologies (PAT) in the Biopharma and food industries;

2. Environment: antibiotic resistance and gene mobility in the environment; energy recovery and environmental sustainability. In particular on low energy heat recovery systems and green roof applications in carbon sequestering

3. Science Education.

Science Technologies:

Sensor development for PAT applications: I am an expert on Ralstonia pickettii, a persistent contaminant of high purity water which is of importance in the Biopharma industry. In seeking out a method to identify and detect R. pickettii in industrial setting, I developed an interest in sensor applications, a converging of electronic engineering, bioinformatics and microbiology for real translational applications. This research led to sensor development expertise in process analytical control (PAT) applications in rapid microbial monitoring both in the food (Bacillus spp., and Salmonella spp.) and in Biopharma (Ralstonia).

My interest in real time applications were further fostered with the interaction with iControl Solutions, a start-up company in the development of a telemetric temperature monitoring system for milk tankers, for microbial control.


Environmental research:

Antibiotic mobility: The mobility of pathogens and their antibiotic profile in the environment and contamination of water both ground water and potable storage tank water.

GALGEMS: I manage a group of five scientists in developing General Applications for Low Grade Energy Management Systems (GALGEMS). We have achieved over €1m in industrial funding from food, computer and alumina industries in the past 6 years.

Green Roof: I have an interest in environmental issues and am involved in a project on green roof developments as a source of carbon sequestering and the use of novel soil mixtures for the sustainability of green roofs.

Education: As a lecturer I have been actively involved in educating Science Education students to become science teachers. I have been involved in in-house service teaching to science teachers for continued professional development (CPD) programmes. Generating modern innovative approaches to learning using web based teaching material for schools and colleges. These materials funded through EU framework programmes have been translated in multiple European languages. See www.eibe.info and www.EUSEM.org




Professional Activities

Committee

  • 2006 Parental Drug Association (PDA)-Irish Chapter,
  • 2005 Microbiology subcommittee: Food Safety Authority of Ireland,
  • 2004 Royal Dublin Society(RDS): Science and Technology Committee,
  • 1994 Governing Body, New Library Development Committee,
  • 1899 Steering Committee for the Degree in Nursing Studies.,
  • 1899 Internal Advisory Committee to the past-president, Dr. E. Walsh as Chairman of the Science Council.,
  • 1899 Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland,
  • 1899 International Forum on Hygiene,
  • 1899 Bioethics committee University of Limerick,
  • 1899 UL Biological Safety Committee,
  • 1899 Safety Committee,
  • Nanotechnology subcommittee: Food Safety Authority of Ireland,

Employment

  • 2004 University of Limerick - Senior Lecturer
  • 2000 Pasteur Institute - Visiting Scientist
  • 1995 University of Limerick - Lecturer
  • 1994 University of Limerick - Assistant Lecturer
  • 1992 University of Limerick - Contract Assistant Lecturer
  • 1990 Boston University School of Medicine - Research Fellow
  • 1986 Protein Databases Inc. - Consultant and Investor
  • 1983 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - Lecturer
  • 1979 University of Surrey - Research Officer
  • 1976 Medical Research Council of Ireland. - Research Assistant

Association

  • 1999 Member, Society for General Microbiology

Education

  • 1980 NUI Galway - Ph.D.
  • 1976 University College Galway - Higher Diploma in Education
  • 1975 NUI Galway - M.Sc.
  • 1973 NUI Galway - Bachelor of Science

Outreach

  • School Visits to Secondary Schools in the Mid-West region

  • Contributed to Opendays at the University of Limerick
  • Leasing with Industrial companies to acquire work for Co-Op Students

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journals

2010

Biochar from biomass and waste

Kwapinski W., Byrne C.M.P., Kryachko E., Wolfram P., Adley C., Leahy J.J., Novotny E.H., Hayes M.H.B. (2010) Biochar from biomass and waste. Waste And Biomass Valorization :177-189

Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Chapters

2012

Real Time Detection of Pathogens for Food Quality Monitoring and Biosecurity.

Velusamy, V., K. I. Arshak, O. Korostynska, A. Vaseashta and C.C. Adley (2012) Real Time Detection of Pathogens for Food Quality Monitoring and Biosecurity.. Germany : Springer and Business Media BV Technological Innovations in Sensing and Detection of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Threats and Ecological Terrorism

2011

Ralstonia

Ryan, MP., Pembroke TP and Adley CC (2011) Ralstonia. London : Francis & Taylor CRC Press Molecular Detection of Human Bacterial Pathogens :769-778

Edited Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Journals

2007

BAP-like proteins associated with meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are involved in biofilm formation and virulence and may provide a target for drug intervention in Staphylococcal infection

Pembroke, TP; Adley, CC; Ryan, MP (2007) BAP-like proteins associated with meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are involved in biofilm formation and virulence and may provide a target for drug intervention in Staphylococcal infection. Nat. Inst. Of Health Sciences Research Bulletin :22-23

2001

The Farmer and GM Crops

Adley CC (2001) The Farmer and GM Crops. Research and Development Digest of Teagasc, the Agricultural Food and Development Authority. Farm & Food (Special Biotechnology Issue). :38-38

Conference Publications

2010

75th European Study Group with Industry- Proceedings

Hewitt I., Lacey A., Mellgren N., Vynnycky, M., Robinson M., Cooker M., Fowler, A., Gonzalez, M., Simboek H., Murphy, T., Devereux, M., Sedakov R., Kirby G., Fay G., Wang Q., Adley CC (2010) 75th European Study Group with Industry- Proceedings.

Conference Contributions

Published Reports

Editorials

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Reviews

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Publications